Recent content by mastermind3001

Is centripetal acceleration then just the change in the angle of the moving object per unit time?

I want to clarify something, because it's confusing the hell out of me. Velocity is a vector quantity, containing angle and magnitude. When working with anything linear, you usually work with the magnitude only (at least as far as I have done in my physics class). Here acceleration is the rate...

When dealing with centripetal force, you run into the formula a_c=v^2/r. Where did that formula come from? I feel like knowing this will help me understand the concept better and not just the mechanics of it, but I can't figure it out. I think I'm just not in sync with mapping circular motion to...

I like the idea of several cds. Thanks. I also plan to cut them in some way so the middle is empty air, which will concentrate the mass at the outside of the wheel and give it a greater moment of inertia. But I have some questions. How do I measure the force of the lever arm? For F=ma, do I...

I am looking for some kind of equations I can use to figure some of this stuff out, because I plan to use an extended arm, or if not an extended arm then gear ratios will accomplish a similar effect. I plan to use some of my Lego Technic sets for part of the contraption to help control the...

For our physics project (senior in high school), we have to build cars driven by nothing other than mouse traps, and they have to propel the cars at least 10 meters. Of course, me being me, I want to make my car go as far as possible. I would like to know exactly what equations I'm going to need...