Suppose you and a friend, each a mass of 60 kg, go to the park and get on a 4.0-m-diameter merry-go-round. You stand on the outside edge of the merry-go-round, while your friend pushes you so that you rotate once every 6.0 seconds. What is the magnitude of the (apparent) outward force that you feel?

a. 7 N

b. 63 N

c. 130 N

d. 260 N

c. 130 N

Explanation:

F = ma ... Equation 1

Where F = force, m = mass of one person, a = outward acceleration.

But,

a = v²/r ... Equation 2

Where v = velocity, r = radius.

and

v = 2πr/T ... Equation 3.

Where T = Period,

Given: T = 6.0 s and π = 3.14, r = 4/2 = 2 m

Substitute into equation 3

v = 2 (3.14) (2) / 6

v = 2.09 m/s

Substituting the value of v into equation 2

a = (2.09) ²/2

a = 4.368/2

a = 2.184 m/s²

Also given: m = 60 kg, and a = 2.184 m/s²

Substitute into equation 1

F = 60 (2.184)

F = 131.04

F ≈ 130 N.

The right option is c. 130 N