An airplane is flying in a horizontal circle at a speed of 104 m/s. The 88.0 kg pilot does not want the centripetal acceleration to exceed 6.15 times free-fall acceleration.

Question

Find the minimum radius of the plane’s
path. The acceleration due to gravity is 9.81m/s2.
Answer in units of m

Answer 1

Dave your dealing with Circular motion so you would use this circular motion formula;Ac=Vc2/r

1. In your problem your trying to find the radius.

2. The Ac is already given, but since the problem asks for it not to exceed 6.15 times the free-fall acceleration. You must times them.

Ac=6.15*9.81
Ac=~60.3315m/s.

3. Next, you plug in your airplane speed (104m/s.) and square that.

4. Your final step is to divide 104(squared) by 6.15*9.81.

Giving you the answer of ~179.276m.

Good Luck! With the rest of your Physics!