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A Spin Dryer

A sock going round a spin dryer experiences a centripetal force.At the top of the dryer, the weight of the sock provides a centripetal force and the reaction force is a minimum.
F = R + mg
At the bottom of the dryer, the reaction force is a maximum and the centripetal force is provided by the reaction force - the weight i.e.
F = R - mg

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Specification: AQA Physics (7408), A-level, 3.6.1.1 Circular motion. Topic: Circular Motion.

Key terms in this lesson

Centripetal force
The resultant force, directed towards the centre of a circle, needed to keep an object moving in that circular path.

More in Circular Motion

All 9 lessons in Circular Motion · All AQA A-level Physics topics