- #1
danielceland
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Hi my name is Daniel and i am very much interested in the many different concepts of physical science.
I have been studying entry level physics at my local university for about 6 months now, however i am looking for a definitive answer to a question i have about centripetal acceleration.
I propose the following,
Imagine a space station (shaped like a big wagon wheel) which spins on a fixed rotational axis about its center, with a particular constant angular velocity. Imagine that this circular motion generated a constant centripetal acceleration towards its center, whereby the occupants inside (positioned on the inner edge of this wheel-like structure) would feel a force equivalent to 9.8m/s^2 (i.e. gravity on earth) pushing them into the inner edge (their 'perceived' floor) of this space station. This force would be exactly the same, at ANY point along the inner circumference.
Spanning the diameter and joining each side, are two corridors (imagine a 2D perfect circle with a cross inside) which intersect at the center of rotation.
My understanding of centripetal acceleration is this -
At the center of rotation you would feel NO acceleration (i.e. turning on the spot), whereas at the outer edge you would feel the maximum acceleration possibly generated by the system.
As you approach the center, i would then imagine that the acceleration you, or I, would feel would get less and less and less until you reach the absolute center. Then it would be zero.
Imagine I am standing stationary inside this station and looking up, through one of these corridors so that i can look through the center and see the other side. Imagine that YOU are standing stationary on the opposite side and can see ME in the same manner.
Phew! Now that I've set the scene i can ask my question!
If I was to throw a tennis ball to you with enough force, could YOU catch that ball without it hitting the walls of the corridor?
I think that it could do two things.
1. As soon as it leaves my hand it is then prone to other forces acting upon it. Therefore it may attempt to curve in some direction and start to bounce off the walls of the corridor.
2. As soon as it leaves my hand it will start to negatively accelerate (i.e. slow down) as it follows the path of the corridor towards the center. If i throw it with JUST ENOUGH force so that it VERY SLOWLY crosses the center of rotation, it will then start to accelerate again so you can catch it.
Which is correct?
I have been studying entry level physics at my local university for about 6 months now, however i am looking for a definitive answer to a question i have about centripetal acceleration.
I propose the following,
Imagine a space station (shaped like a big wagon wheel) which spins on a fixed rotational axis about its center, with a particular constant angular velocity. Imagine that this circular motion generated a constant centripetal acceleration towards its center, whereby the occupants inside (positioned on the inner edge of this wheel-like structure) would feel a force equivalent to 9.8m/s^2 (i.e. gravity on earth) pushing them into the inner edge (their 'perceived' floor) of this space station. This force would be exactly the same, at ANY point along the inner circumference.
Spanning the diameter and joining each side, are two corridors (imagine a 2D perfect circle with a cross inside) which intersect at the center of rotation.
My understanding of centripetal acceleration is this -
At the center of rotation you would feel NO acceleration (i.e. turning on the spot), whereas at the outer edge you would feel the maximum acceleration possibly generated by the system.
As you approach the center, i would then imagine that the acceleration you, or I, would feel would get less and less and less until you reach the absolute center. Then it would be zero.
Imagine I am standing stationary inside this station and looking up, through one of these corridors so that i can look through the center and see the other side. Imagine that YOU are standing stationary on the opposite side and can see ME in the same manner.
Phew! Now that I've set the scene i can ask my question!
If I was to throw a tennis ball to you with enough force, could YOU catch that ball without it hitting the walls of the corridor?
I think that it could do two things.
1. As soon as it leaves my hand it is then prone to other forces acting upon it. Therefore it may attempt to curve in some direction and start to bounce off the walls of the corridor.
2. As soon as it leaves my hand it will start to negatively accelerate (i.e. slow down) as it follows the path of the corridor towards the center. If i throw it with JUST ENOUGH force so that it VERY SLOWLY crosses the center of rotation, it will then start to accelerate again so you can catch it.
Which is correct?