• ?Centripetal force can be calculated using any of the following equations:

Centripetal force is always perpendicular to the direction of travel

• Where:
  • F?= centripetal force (N)
  • v?= linear velocity (m s-1)
  • ? = angular speed (rad s-1)
  • r?= radius of the orbit (m)

   

• The centripetal force is the?resultant?force on the object moving in a circle
  • This is particular important if there are multiple forces on the object, such as weight

Step 1: Draw the forces on the bucket at the top

Step 2: Calculate the centripetal force

• • The weight of the bucket = mg
  • This is equal to the centripetal force since it is directed towards the centre of the circle

Step 3: Rearrange for velocity?v

• • m cancels from both sides

Step 4: Substitute in values