If two bicyclists move around a circular track of radius 100 m, at the same speed, 10 m/s, but in opposite directions, then A) one has centripetal acceleration of 1 m/s² and the other has centrifugal acceleration of 1 m/s². B) they have opposite accelerations, +1 m/s² (inward) and -1 m/s² (outward). C) they have equal size accelerations, 1 m/s². D) they might have different accelerations, depending on whether they have identical mass or not.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both bicyclists experience centripetal acceleration of the same magnitude because centripetal acceleration depends only on the speed of the object moving in a circle and the radius of the circle, both of which are the same for both bicyclists. The direction of motion (opposite directions) does not affect the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration.

If Two Bicyclists Move Around a Circular Track of Radius