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

    m = 18 kg, r = 6 m → v = 10 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  2. 2. A 27 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 27 kg, r = 9 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  3. 3. A 36 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 36 kg, r = 12 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

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

  5. 5. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 40 kg, r = 5 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  6. 6. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 16 kg, r = 4 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

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

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

  8. 8. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 40 kg, r = 10 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  9. 9. A 84 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 84 kg, r = 12 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  10. 10. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 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 = 10 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  11. 11. A 42 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 = 42 kg, r = 6 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  12. 12. A 28 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 = 28 kg, r = 7 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 48 · 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 18 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    300 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (18 × 10²) ÷ 6 = 1800 ÷ 6 = 300 N.

  2. 2. A 27 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 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 = (27 × 4²) ÷ 9 = 432 ÷ 9 = 48 N.

  3. 3. A 36 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    75 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (36 × 5²) ÷ 12 = 900 ÷ 12 = 75 N.

  4. 4. A 12 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.

    36 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (12 × 6²) ÷ 12 = 432 ÷ 12 = 36 N.

  5. 5. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 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 = (40 × 5²) ÷ 5 = 1000 ÷ 5 = 200 N.

  6. 6. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 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 = (16 × 6²) ÷ 4 = 576 ÷ 4 = 144 N.

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

    576 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (48 × 12²) ÷ 12 = 6912 ÷ 12 = 576 N.

  8. 8. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    36 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (40 × 3²) ÷ 10 = 360 ÷ 10 = 36 N.

  9. 9. A 84 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 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 = (84 × 8²) ÷ 12 = 5376 ÷ 12 = 448 N.

  10. 10. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 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 = (40 × 6²) ÷ 10 = 1440 ÷ 10 = 144 N.

  11. 11. A 42 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.

    175 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (42 × 5²) ÷ 6 = 1050 ÷ 6 = 175 N.

  12. 12. A 28 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.

    144 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (28 × 6²) ÷ 7 = 1008 ÷ 7 = 144 N.

12 questions · Seed 48 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. A 18 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 18 kg, r = 6 m → v = 10 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  2. 2. A 27 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 27 kg, r = 9 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  3. 3. A 36 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 36 kg, r = 12 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

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

  5. 5. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 40 kg, r = 5 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  6. 6. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 16 kg, r = 4 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

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

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

  8. 8. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 40 kg, r = 10 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  9. 9. A 84 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 84 kg, r = 12 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  10. 10. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 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 = 10 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  11. 11. A 42 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 = 42 kg, r = 6 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r

  12. 12. A 28 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 = 28 kg, r = 7 m → v = 6 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 48 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Circular motion & centripetal force

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A 18 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 6 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    300 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (18 × 10²) ÷ 6 = 1800 ÷ 6 = 300 N.

  2. 2. A 27 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 9 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 = (27 × 4²) ÷ 9 = 432 ÷ 9 = 48 N.

  3. 3. A 36 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 m at a constant speed of 5 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    75 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (36 × 5²) ÷ 12 = 900 ÷ 12 = 75 N.

  4. 4. A 12 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.

    36 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (12 × 6²) ÷ 12 = 432 ÷ 12 = 36 N.

  5. 5. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 5 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 = (40 × 5²) ÷ 5 = 1000 ÷ 5 = 200 N.

  6. 6. A 16 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 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 = (16 × 6²) ÷ 4 = 576 ÷ 4 = 144 N.

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

    576 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (48 × 12²) ÷ 12 = 6912 ÷ 12 = 576 N.

  8. 8. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    36 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (40 × 3²) ÷ 10 = 360 ÷ 10 = 36 N.

  9. 9. A 84 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 12 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 = (84 × 8²) ÷ 12 = 5376 ÷ 12 = 448 N.

  10. 10. A 40 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 10 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 = (40 × 6²) ÷ 10 = 1440 ÷ 10 = 144 N.

  11. 11. A 42 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.

    175 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (42 × 5²) ÷ 6 = 1050 ÷ 6 = 175 N.

  12. 12. A 28 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.

    144 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (28 × 6²) ÷ 7 = 1008 ÷ 7 = 144 N.

12 questions · Seed 48 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification