Tip to tail vertor diagram using pythagorian theorem?

The centripetal force (which includes the tension) equals (mv2/r) + (mg cos theta). The tension is not equal to the gravitational force, it is equal to the centripetal force minus the gravitational force. And remember, this is for a specific instant in time, not the whole motion.
  • #1
Gogsey
160
0
If a stone is spun around in a vertical circle, is the tension in the string the centripetal force and the force of gravity?

If the stone is at the 6 o'clock position, is the tension in the string the centripetal force plus the gravitaional force?

At the twelve o'clock, is it the centripetal force minus the gravitational force?

And at the 3 o'clock position is the tension calculated by a tip to tail vertor diagram using pythagorian theorem?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The vector sum of the tension and gravity is the net force on the stone. The component of gravity tangent to the circle applies a torque which changes angular velocity. The sum of the component of gravity parellel to the string and the tension (which is also parellel) must add to the centripetal force (for the instantaneous angular velocity, which, don't forget, is changing) if the stone is to remain in circular motion. So you're right for 6 and 12 oclock but I don't think your 3 oclock method is correct.
 
  • #3
Ok, but at the 3 o'clock postion is the sum of the tension the centripetal force acting along the horizontal plane and the gravitational force acting along the vertical plane?

So then would this be a tip to tail vector diagram using the pythagoras rule?

Sorry if i don't seem o get this to quickly, but circular motion and centripetal force is a section that i find quite difficult not to mention if tension is involved.
 
  • #4
let's get vector-free for a minute... :smile:

Gogsey said:
If a stone is spun around in a vertical circle, is the tension in the string the centripetal force and the force of gravity?

If the stone is at the 6 o'clock position, is the tension in the string the centripetal force plus the gravitaional force?

At the twelve o'clock, is it the centripetal force minus the gravitational force?

And at the 3 o'clock position is the tension calculated by a tip to tail vertor diagram using pythagorian theorem?

Thanks

let's get vector-free for just a moment...
are you assuming no air friction? yes? good!
can you assume no other losses, like friction in the string where it's connected to something? yes? good!

that simplifies things.

next, you didn't specify the velocity (tangential) of the stone.

if the stone's velocity is too low, it won't complete a circle in a vertical plane around the center of the circle. if the velocity is high enough, (again, assuming no air friction to slow things down...) the stone will continue to circle the "hub" with maximum velocity at the 6:00 position and minimum V at the 12:00 position.

at some speed, wouldn't the tension in the string at the 12:00 position be zero? (this is the "balance point" between too slow to complete the circle and fast enough to keep spinning).

+af :confused:
 
  • #5
Gogsey said:
Ok, but at the 3 o'clock postion is the sum of the tension the centripetal force acting along the horizontal plane and the gravitational force acting along the vertical plane?

So then would this be a tip to tail vector diagram using the pythagoras rule?

This is a 2 dimensional problem, everything is in the vertical plane. As I said, the component of gravity tangent to the circle (which at 3 oclock is all of it) contributes to angular acceleration. The component along the string (none of it at 3 oclock) plus the tension equals the centripetal force. So at any given time:

T+mg cos(theta) = mv2/r

where theta is the angle between the string and 12 oclock.
 
  • #6
Thank-you, that sounds great.

The angle between the 3 o'clock(the string) and the 12 o'clock positon is 90 degrees, but when you punch cos 90 into your calculator, it comes up zero.

What do i do now?
 
  • #7
I've already given you the exact equation you need, which was probably more than I should have done. If you can't figure it out from here, this class is probably too advanced for you.
 
Last edited:
  • #8
But if cos 90 equals zero, then the tension would just equal the centripetal force, so then the upward force of the stone is then equal in magnitude to the gravitational force, right?
 
Last edited:
  • #9
What upward force of the stone? The net force on the stone doesn't have to be zero.
 

1. What is a tip to tail vector diagram?

A tip to tail vector diagram is a graphical representation of two or more vectors by drawing them as arrows from a common starting point, with the head of each arrow touching the tail of the next one in the sequence. This allows for easy visualization and calculation of the resulting vector.

2. How is the Pythagorean theorem used in a tip to tail vector diagram?

The Pythagorean theorem is used to calculate the magnitude or length of the resulting vector in a tip to tail vector diagram. The theorem states that the square of the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. In a vector diagram, the hypotenuse represents the resulting vector, and the other two sides represent the individual vectors being added together.

3. What is the purpose of using a tip to tail vector diagram?

The purpose of using a tip to tail vector diagram is to visually represent vector addition and subtraction. This allows for a better understanding of how the individual vectors combine to create a resulting vector, as well as making it easier to calculate the magnitude and direction of the resulting vector using the Pythagorean theorem and trigonometric functions.

4. Can a tip to tail vector diagram be used for more than two vectors?

Yes, a tip to tail vector diagram can be used for any number of vectors. The process remains the same, with each vector being drawn as an arrow from the previous vector's tail to its head. The final resulting vector will be the arrow drawn from the starting point to the head of the last vector.

5. Are there any limitations to using a tip to tail vector diagram?

While tip to tail vector diagrams are useful for visualizing vector addition and subtraction, they have limitations when it comes to representing more complex vector operations such as scalar multiplication and vector multiplication. In addition, they do not take into account the direction of the resulting vector, only the magnitude.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
46
Views
5K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
705
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
8K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
Back
Top