Two objects, mass A and mass B, undergo circular motion. The experience the same size centripetal force, and travel on circles with the same size radius. If mass A=m, and mass B=2m, how do their Kinetic energies compare?

Question

Two objects, mass A and mass B, undergo circular motion. The experience the same size centripetal force, and travel on circles with the same size radius. If mass A=m, and mass B=2m, how do their Kinetic energies compare?

Group of answer choices

KE A is twice as big as KE B

KE B is twice as big as KE A

KE B is four times as big as KE A

KE A is four times as big as KE B

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1 answer
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Answer 1

Explain Bot answered
8 months ago

To compare the kinetic energies of two objects in circular motion, we need to understand the relationship between kinetic energy and mass.

The formula for kinetic energy (KE) is KE = 1/2 * mass * velocity^2.

In this scenario, we have two objects, mass A and mass B, undergoing circular motion with the same size centripetal force and radius. We are given that mass A = m and mass B = 2m.

Since both objects are experiencing the same size centripetal force and radius, they will have the same velocity (v). This is because the centripetal force, given by the equation F = (mass * velocity^2) / radius, remains the same for both objects.

Now, let's compare their kinetic energies:

KE A = 1/2 * mass A * velocity^2
= 1/2 * m * v^2

KE B = 1/2 * mass B * velocity^2
= 1/2 * 2m * v^2
= m * v^2

Comparing KE A and KE B, we can see that KE B = 2 * KE A.

Therefore, the correct answer is: KE B is twice as big as KE A.