The same car rounds the same traffic circle twice. The first time it holds a steady 10 m/s. The second time it holds a steady 14 m/s. Same circle, same car, one thing changed: the speed.
On which lap is the car's centripetal acceleration greater?
You have seen that an object in uniform circular motion accelerates, and that the acceleration points toward the center.
The size of that acceleration depends on the speed.
Hold the radius fixed and lower the speed: the centripetal acceleration gets smaller.
So on the 14 m/s lap, the car's centripetal acceleration is greater than on the 10 m/s lap.
A later lesson gives the exact relationship. Here, the direction of the change is the point.
A delivery van circles the same flat traffic circle twice, at a steady 8 m/s and then a steady 12 m/s. Compare its centripetal acceleration on the faster lap.
A dirt bike laps the same flat circular course at a steady 13 m/s, then again at a steady 6 m/s. Compare its centripetal acceleration on the slower lap.
A cyclist rides a flat circular loop at a steady 7 m/s, then rides the same loop at a steady 11 m/s. Compare her centripetal accelerations on the two rides.
The radius is the same on both rides. Only the speed differs.
A greater speed on the same circle means a greater centripetal acceleration.
Her centripetal acceleration is greater on the 11 m/s ride.
Ines says: two identical buses round the same circular ramp, one at a steady 15 m/s and one at a steady 20 m/s, and the 20 m/s bus has the greater centripetal acceleration. Is she correct?
A race car circles the same flat circular course on two laps, at a steady 40 m/s and then a steady 55 m/s. Which statement is correct?
Four identical remote-control cars lap the same flat circular track, at steady speeds of 6 m/s, 9 m/s, 11 m/s, and 14 m/s. Which car has the greatest centripetal acceleration?
Two drones fly the same circular path at steady speeds. The red drone's centripetal acceleration is larger than the blue drone's. Which statement follows?