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

    m = 24 kg, r = 4 m → v = 11 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  2. 2. A 24 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 24 kg, r = 6 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  3. 3. A 42 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 42 kg, r = 6 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  4. 4. A 14 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 = 14 kg, r = 2 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  5. 5. A 24 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 24 kg, r = 6 m → v = 2 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  6. 6. A 4 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 4 kg, r = 4 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  7. 7. A 42 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 42 kg, r = 7 m → v = 10 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  8. 8. A 22 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 = 22 kg, r = 11 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  9. 9. A 18 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 18 kg, r = 3 m → v = 5 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 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 16 kg, r = 2 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  11. 11. A 35 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 35 kg, r = 7 m → v = 12 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  12. 12. A 3 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 3 kg, r = 3 m → v = 2 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 104731 · 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 24 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 11 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    726 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (24 × 11²) ÷ 4 = 2904 ÷ 4 = 726 N.

  2. 2. A 24 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    100 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (24 × 5²) ÷ 6 = 600 ÷ 6 = 100 N.

  3. 3. A 42 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    343 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (42 × 7²) ÷ 6 = 2058 ÷ 6 = 343 N.

  4. 4. A 14 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.

    567 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (14 × 9²) ÷ 2 = 1134 ÷ 2 = 567 N.

  5. 5. A 24 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    16 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (24 × 2²) ÷ 6 = 96 ÷ 6 = 16 N.

  6. 6. A 4 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 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 = (4 × 9²) ÷ 4 = 324 ÷ 4 = 81 N.

  7. 7. A 42 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    600 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (42 × 10²) ÷ 7 = 4200 ÷ 7 = 600 N.

  8. 8. A 22 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.

    162 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (22 × 9²) ÷ 11 = 1782 ÷ 11 = 162 N.

  9. 9. A 18 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    150 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (18 × 5²) ÷ 3 = 450 ÷ 3 = 150 N.

  10. 10. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    392 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (16 × 7²) ÷ 2 = 784 ÷ 2 = 392 N.

  11. 11. A 35 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 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 = (35 × 12²) ÷ 7 = 5040 ÷ 7 = 720 N.

  12. 12. A 3 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    4 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (3 × 2²) ÷ 3 = 12 ÷ 3 = 4 N.

12 questions · Seed 104731 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification