The Gravitron is a circular carnival ride that is 6.6m in radius and spins at a high rate of speed in order to simulate gravity. How would the radius need to change to allow the riders to experience 4g's at this new velocity?

1 Answer
David G.
Jun 16, 2017

If we assume that at the initial speed riders were experiencing #1# #g#, then we can use the formula for centripetal acceleration:

#a=v^2/r#

If #v# remains constant, then in order to multiply #a# by a factor of 4 we have to divide #r# by a factor of 4, since they are inversely proportional: #r =6.6/4 = 1.65# #m#

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