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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 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

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

    m = 6 kg, r = 2 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  3. 3. A 8 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 = 8 kg, r = 4 m → v = 2 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  4. 4. A 88 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 = 88 kg, r = 11 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  5. 5. A 64 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 = 64 kg, r = 8 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  6. 6. A 6 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 6 kg, r = 3 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  7. 7. A 8 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 8 kg, r = 4 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  8. 8. A 15 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 = 15 kg, r = 5 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  9. 9. A 7 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 7 kg, r = 7 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  10. 10. A 44 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 44 kg, r = 11 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  11. 11. A 9 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

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

    m = 6 kg, r = 6 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 104735 · 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 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    294 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (24 × 7²) ÷ 4 = 1176 ÷ 4 = 294 N.

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

    48 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (6 × 4²) ÷ 2 = 96 ÷ 2 = 48 N.

  3. 3. A 8 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.

    8 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (8 × 2²) ÷ 4 = 32 ÷ 4 = 8 N.

  4. 4. A 88 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.

    648 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (88 × 9²) ÷ 11 = 7128 ÷ 11 = 648 N.

  5. 5. A 64 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.

    512 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (64 × 8²) ÷ 8 = 4096 ÷ 8 = 512 N.

  6. 6. A 6 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 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 = (6 × 6²) ÷ 3 = 216 ÷ 3 = 72 N.

  7. 7. A 8 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    18 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (8 × 3²) ÷ 4 = 72 ÷ 4 = 18 N.

  8. 8. A 15 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.

    108 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (15 × 6²) ÷ 5 = 540 ÷ 5 = 108 N.

  9. 9. A 7 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    25 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (7 × 5²) ÷ 7 = 175 ÷ 7 = 25 N.

  10. 10. A 44 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 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 = (44 × 8²) ÷ 11 = 2816 ÷ 11 = 256 N.

  11. 11. A 9 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    108 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (9 × 6²) ÷ 3 = 324 ÷ 3 = 108 N.

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

    9 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (6 × 3²) ÷ 6 = 54 ÷ 6 = 9 N.

12 questions · Seed 104735 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification