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ScienceAges 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Use F = mv² ÷ r to calculate the inward centripetal force acting on a mass in uniform circular motion. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. A 11 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 11 kg, r = 11 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  2. 2. A 45 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 45 kg, r = 9 m → v = 10 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  3. 3. A 25 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 25 kg, r = 5 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  4. 4. A 42 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 42 kg, r = 6 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  5. 5. A 32 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 32 kg, r = 4 m → v = 2 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  6. 6. A 44 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 44 kg, r = 11 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  7. 7. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 40 kg, r = 8 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  8. 8. A 96 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 96 kg, r = 12 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  9. 9. A 15 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 15 kg, r = 3 m → v = 12 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  10. 10. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 16 kg, r = 2 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  11. 11. A 10 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 10 kg, r = 5 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  12. 12. A 22 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 22 kg, r = 11 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A 11 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    81 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (11 × 9²) ÷ 11 = 891 ÷ 11 = 81 N.

  2. 2. A 45 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    500 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (45 × 10²) ÷ 9 = 4500 ÷ 9 = 500 N.

  3. 3. A 25 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    180 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (25 × 6²) ÷ 5 = 900 ÷ 5 = 180 N.

  4. 4. A 42 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    252 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (42 × 6²) ÷ 6 = 1512 ÷ 6 = 252 N.

  5. 5. A 32 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    32 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (32 × 2²) ÷ 4 = 128 ÷ 4 = 32 N.

  6. 6. A 44 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    64 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (44 × 4²) ÷ 11 = 704 ÷ 11 = 64 N.

  7. 7. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    180 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (40 × 6²) ÷ 8 = 1440 ÷ 8 = 180 N.

  8. 8. A 96 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    72 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (96 × 3²) ÷ 12 = 864 ÷ 12 = 72 N.

  9. 9. A 15 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    720 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (15 × 12²) ÷ 3 = 2160 ÷ 3 = 720 N.

  10. 10. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    648 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (16 × 9²) ÷ 2 = 1296 ÷ 2 = 648 N.

  11. 11. A 10 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    72 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (10 × 6²) ÷ 5 = 360 ÷ 5 = 72 N.

  12. 12. A 22 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    50 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (22 × 5²) ÷ 11 = 550 ÷ 11 = 50 N.

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification