IB Physics SL A 2 23 Centripetal Acceleration Questions

Practise determining centripetal acceleration and its direction for discs, wheels, satellites and objects on strings.

Exam points

Calculate centripetal acceleration using speed and radius.
Identify the inward direction of circular acceleration and explain changing velocity.

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Study A.2.23—Centripetal acceleration conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

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This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about two children on a merry-go-round. Part 2 is about electric circuits.

Part 1 Two children on a merry-go-round
Aibhe and Euan are sitting on opposite sides of a merry-go-round, which is rotating at constant speed around a fixed centre. The diagram below shows the view from above.

Figure for Question IB Physics SL A 2 23 Centripetal Acceleration Questions question 1 — IB Physics SL

Aibhe is moving at speed $1.0 \mathrm{~ms}^{-1}$ relative to the ground.

(a)

Draw an arrow on the diagram on page 22 to show the direction in which Aibhe is accelerating.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Aibhe moves so that she is sitting at a distance of 0.75 m from the centre of the merry-go-round, as shown below.

Euan pushes the merry-go-round so that he is again moving at $1.0 \mathrm{~ms}^{-1}$ relative to the ground.

[ 2 ]

(i)

Calculate the magnitude of Aibhe's acceleration.
Part 2 Electric circuits

[ 2 ]

$\quad a\left(=\frac{v^{2}}{r}\right)=\frac{0.5^{2}}{0.75}$ ;
$a=0.33\left(\mathrm{~ms}^{-2}\right)$ ;

Marking guidance:

Allow ECF from (d)(i).
Award [2] for a bald correct answer.

Part 2 Electric circuits

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IB Physics SL A 2 23 Centripetal Acceleration Questions question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (i)