A circular rotating platform in a science museum has a radius of 2.5 m
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A circular rotating platform in a science museum has a radius of 2.5 m. Visitors stand on the platform while it turns uniformly.
(i) Starting from the definition of linear speed v in terms of the period of revolution T, derive an expression for the magnitude of the inward acceleration in terms of T and r only.
(ii) The platform makes 20 complete revolutions in 60 s. Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration experienced by a visitor and express it as a multiple of g.
(iii) If the platform’s speed is increased so that the period becomes half of its original value, by what factor will the inward acceleration change? Justify your answer algebraically.