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

    m = 40 kg, r = 8 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  2. 2. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 16 kg, r = 4 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  3. 3. A 33 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 33 kg, r = 11 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  4. 4. A 35 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 35 kg, r = 7 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  5. 5. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 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 = 8 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  6. 6. A 27 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 27 kg, r = 9 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

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

    m = 9 kg, r = 9 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  8. 8. A 72 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 72 kg, r = 12 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  9. 9. A 28 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 28 kg, r = 4 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  10. 10. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 40 kg, r = 8 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  11. 11. A 48 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 48 kg, r = 12 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  12. 12. A 70 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 70 kg, r = 10 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 104734 · 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 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    320 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (40 × 8²) ÷ 8 = 2560 ÷ 8 = 320 N.

  2. 2. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    256 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (16 × 8²) ÷ 4 = 1024 ÷ 4 = 256 N.

  3. 3. A 33 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    147 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (33 × 7²) ÷ 11 = 1617 ÷ 11 = 147 N.

  4. 4. A 35 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    405 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (35 × 9²) ÷ 7 = 2835 ÷ 7 = 405 N.

  5. 5. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 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 = (16 × 9²) ÷ 8 = 1296 ÷ 8 = 162 N.

  6. 6. A 27 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    192 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (27 × 8²) ÷ 9 = 1728 ÷ 9 = 192 N.

  7. 7. A 9 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 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 = (9 × 9²) ÷ 9 = 729 ÷ 9 = 81 N.

  8. 8. A 72 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    96 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (72 × 4²) ÷ 12 = 1152 ÷ 12 = 96 N.

  9. 9. A 28 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    448 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (28 × 8²) ÷ 4 = 1792 ÷ 4 = 448 N.

  10. 10. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    80 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (40 × 4²) ÷ 8 = 640 ÷ 8 = 80 N.

  11. 11. A 48 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    144 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (48 × 6²) ÷ 12 = 1728 ÷ 12 = 144 N.

  12. 12. A 70 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 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 = (70 × 7²) ÷ 10 = 3430 ÷ 10 = 343 N.

12 questions · Seed 104734 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Take your time. Show your thinking.

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

    m = 40 kg, r = 8 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  2. 2. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 16 kg, r = 4 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  3. 3. A 33 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 33 kg, r = 11 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  4. 4. A 35 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 35 kg, r = 7 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  5. 5. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 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 = 8 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  6. 6. A 27 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 27 kg, r = 9 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

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

    m = 9 kg, r = 9 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  8. 8. A 72 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 72 kg, r = 12 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  9. 9. A 28 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 28 kg, r = 4 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  10. 10. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 40 kg, r = 8 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  11. 11. A 48 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 48 kg, r = 12 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  12. 12. A 70 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 70 kg, r = 10 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 104734 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

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

    320 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (40 × 8²) ÷ 8 = 2560 ÷ 8 = 320 N.

  2. 2. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    256 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (16 × 8²) ÷ 4 = 1024 ÷ 4 = 256 N.

  3. 3. A 33 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    147 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (33 × 7²) ÷ 11 = 1617 ÷ 11 = 147 N.

  4. 4. A 35 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    405 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (35 × 9²) ÷ 7 = 2835 ÷ 7 = 405 N.

  5. 5. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 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 = (16 × 9²) ÷ 8 = 1296 ÷ 8 = 162 N.

  6. 6. A 27 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    192 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (27 × 8²) ÷ 9 = 1728 ÷ 9 = 192 N.

  7. 7. A 9 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 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 = (9 × 9²) ÷ 9 = 729 ÷ 9 = 81 N.

  8. 8. A 72 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    96 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (72 × 4²) ÷ 12 = 1152 ÷ 12 = 96 N.

  9. 9. A 28 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    448 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (28 × 8²) ÷ 4 = 1792 ÷ 4 = 448 N.

  10. 10. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 8 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    80 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (40 × 4²) ÷ 8 = 640 ÷ 8 = 80 N.

  11. 11. A 48 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    144 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (48 × 6²) ÷ 12 = 1728 ÷ 12 = 144 N.

  12. 12. A 70 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 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 = (70 × 7²) ÷ 10 = 3430 ÷ 10 = 343 N.

12 questions · Seed 104734 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification