A ladybug initially sits at the outer edge of a merry-go-round and completes one revolution every second. Bored with life on the outer edge the ladybug heads to a new position halfway between the axis of rotation and her initial position. The centripetal acceleration of the ladybug in her new position is of her original centripetal acceleration. Select the answer that correctly completes the previous sentence.

Half of her original centripetal acceleration

Explanation:

Centripetal force Fc = mrw^2

Where m is mass, w is angular speed and r is the radius.

Recall that force F = ma

Where a is acceleration.

Comparing the two force, one can see that centripetal acceleration Ac is equal to rw^2.

For initial position, radius is equal to r, therefore Ac = rw^2

For second position, radius = r/2, therefore Ac = (rw^2)/2

Comparing the two acceleration, one can see that the acceleration for the final position is half the acceleration of the original position.