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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 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
  2. 2. A 21 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 7 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 21 kg, r = 7 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  3. 3. A 72 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 72 kg, r = 9 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  4. 4. A 30 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 30 kg, r = 5 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  5. 5. A 28 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 = 28 kg, r = 4 m → v = 7 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  6. 6. A 96 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 = 96 kg, r = 12 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  7. 7. A 66 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 = 66 kg, r = 11 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  8. 8. A 10 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 9 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

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

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

    m = 14 kg, r = 7 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  11. 11. A 49 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 49 kg, r = 7 m → v = 2 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 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 70 kg, r = 10 m → v = 10 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 45 · 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 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.

  2. 2. A 21 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 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 = (21 × 7²) ÷ 7 = 1029 ÷ 7 = 147 N.

  3. 3. A 72 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    200 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (72 × 5²) ÷ 9 = 1800 ÷ 9 = 200 N.

  4. 4. A 30 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    54 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (30 × 3²) ÷ 5 = 270 ÷ 5 = 54 N.

  5. 5. A 28 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.

    343 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (28 × 7²) ÷ 4 = 1372 ÷ 4 = 343 N.

  6. 6. A 96 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.

    128 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (96 × 4²) ÷ 12 = 1536 ÷ 12 = 128 N.

  7. 7. A 66 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.

    96 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (66 × 4²) ÷ 11 = 1056 ÷ 11 = 96 N.

  8. 8. A 10 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 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 = (10 × 9²) ÷ 5 = 810 ÷ 5 = 162 N.

  9. 9. A 6 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 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 = (6 × 9²) ÷ 6 = 486 ÷ 6 = 81 N.

  10. 10. A 14 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 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 = (14 × 6²) ÷ 7 = 504 ÷ 7 = 72 N.

  11. 11. A 49 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    28 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (49 × 2²) ÷ 7 = 196 ÷ 7 = 28 N.

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

    700 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (70 × 10²) ÷ 10 = 7000 ÷ 10 = 700 N.

12 questions · Seed 45 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification