Physics - Need help

Question

a test pilot whose mass is 85 kg is strapped into a large centrifuge machine for training. The machine spins rapidly to stimulate increased gravitational forces on the body. If the machine spins the pilot in a circle with a 13 m radius, what should be the tangent (linear) velocity so that the pilot experiences a force equal to his body weight?

Answer 1

You really meant "... to SIMULATE increased gravitational forces..."

 

The pilot is under a centripetal force given by

 

F_c = mv²/r

 

If F_c equals the pilot's weight, then

 

mv²/r = mg

 

v = √(rg) = √[(13 m)(9.81 m/s²)] ≅ 11.3 m/s

 

Note the answer does not depend on the pilot's mass.