Question

Captain Kiddo is standing at the edge of a merry-go-round which spins faster and faster with each turn!

a) As the merry-go-round speeds up, will it be more or less difficult for her to stand still with each turn? Explain which forces will be increasing or decreasing.

b) If she starts walking to the center of the merry-go-round, what would happen to the forces you just mentioned? Will it be easier for her to stand as she walks to the center of the merry-go-round?

c) If she finally falls down and slip out of the merry-go-round, in which direction she will tend to move?

Answer 1

The force acting on the Captain Kiddo is centrifugal,

(a) As the merry go round speeds up, centrifugal force increased as speed is increasing hence it will be more difficult for her to stand still.

(b) If it moves towards the center then radius (distance from center) will decrease hence the force. so now it will be easier for her to stand.

(c) She will tend to move in the tangential direction of the circular path.