Answer to Question #205240 in Physics for Ella

Question

If an object rotates in a horizontal circle at twice its original speed , the centripetal force acting on the object is how big? Twice as big?

Answer 1

As we know, the centripetal force is directly proportional to the centripetal acceleration, which is proportional to speed squared:

$$a_c=\frac{v^2}{r}.$$

If we increase speed twice, the acceleration increases four times, so does the force.