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

    m = 66 kg, r = 11 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  2. 2. A 6 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 3 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 = 3 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  3. 3. A 66 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 66 kg, r = 11 m → v = 2 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  4. 4. A 33 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 33 kg, r = 11 m → v = 12 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  5. 5. A 6 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 = 6 kg, r = 2 m → v = 9 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  6. 6. A 33 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 = 33 kg, r = 11 m → v = 8 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  7. 7. A 28 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 28 kg, r = 7 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  8. 8. A 30 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 = 30 kg, r = 6 m → v = 10 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  9. 9. A 60 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 = 60 kg, r = 12 m → v = 5 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  10. 10. A 4 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 4 kg, r = 4 m → v = 4 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  11. 11. A 22 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 22 kg, r = 11 m → v = 10 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
  12. 12. A 33 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 3 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    m = 33 kg, r = 11 m → v = 3 m/s → F_c = ? · F_c = mv² ÷ r
12 questions · Seed 49 · 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 66 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 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 = (66 × 3²) ÷ 11 = 594 ÷ 11 = 54 N.

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

    32 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (6 × 4²) ÷ 3 = 96 ÷ 3 = 32 N.

  3. 3. A 66 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 2 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    24 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (66 × 2²) ÷ 11 = 264 ÷ 11 = 24 N.

  4. 4. A 33 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 12 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    432 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (33 × 12²) ÷ 11 = 4752 ÷ 11 = 432 N.

  5. 5. A 6 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.

    243 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (6 × 9²) ÷ 2 = 486 ÷ 2 = 243 N.

  6. 6. A 33 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.

    192 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (33 × 8²) ÷ 11 = 2112 ÷ 11 = 192 N.

  7. 7. A 28 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 7 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 = (28 × 3²) ÷ 7 = 252 ÷ 7 = 36 N.

  8. 8. A 30 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.

    500 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (30 × 10²) ÷ 6 = 3000 ÷ 6 = 500 N.

  9. 9. A 60 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.

    125 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (60 × 5²) ÷ 12 = 1500 ÷ 12 = 125 N.

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

    16 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (4 × 4²) ÷ 4 = 64 ÷ 4 = 16 N.

  11. 11. A 22 kg mass moves in a horizontal circle of radius 11 m at a constant speed of 10 m/s. Using F = mv² ÷ r, calculate the centripetal force acting toward the centre.

    200 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (22 × 10²) ÷ 11 = 2200 ÷ 11 = 200 N.

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

    27 N

    Centripetal force F = (m × v²) ÷ r = (33 × 3²) ÷ 11 = 297 ÷ 11 = 27 N.

12 questions · Seed 49 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification