At the bottom of the wheel, the weight acts downwards and the support force acts upwards. The centripetal force is given by S - mg, where S is the support force and mg is the weight.At maximum height, the weight acts downwards and the support force (reaction) from the seat acts upwards so the centripetal force is given by mv2/r = mg - R.When v2 = gr, there will be no support force on the person from the seat i.e. R = 0.The centripetal force F = mv2/r = mω2r
The London Eye
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Specification: OCR Physics A (H556), A-level, 5.2.2 Centripetal force. Topic: Circular Motion.
Key terms in this lesson
- gravitational field
- A region of space in which a mass experiences a force due to the presence of another mass.
- gravitational potential
- The work done per unit mass to move a small test mass from infinity to a point in a gravitational field.
More in Circular Motion
- Uniform Circular Motion
- Angular Displacement
- Angular Speed
- Centripetal Acceleration
- Proof - centripetal acceleration
- Centripetal Force
- On the Road
- A Spin Dryer
All 9 lessons in Circular Motion · All OCR A-level Physics topics