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Zipzap
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"Non-Uniform Circular Motion" problem
A ball swings in a vertical circle at the end of a rope 1.50 m
long. When the ball is 36.9° past the lowest point on its
way up, its total acceleration is (-22.5 i + 20.2j) m/s^2. At
that instant, (a) sketch a vector diagram showing the components
of its acceleration, (b) determine the magnitude
of its radial acceleration, and (c) determine the speed and
velocity of the ball.
a = v^2 / r
a(total) = a(tangent) + a(radial)
For starters, I don't even know how to approach a), in all honesty. Since the problem doesn't tell me in which direction the rope is spinning, I don't know where to start. However, I have a feeling that the problem doesn't need to tell me this based on the information regarding total acceleration.
Also, even though the total acceleration is expressed in that format, I seriously doubt that the unit vectors are ar and at. If I knew how to draw this, I'll probably be able to figure out the rest of the problem...
Homework Statement
A ball swings in a vertical circle at the end of a rope 1.50 m
long. When the ball is 36.9° past the lowest point on its
way up, its total acceleration is (-22.5 i + 20.2j) m/s^2. At
that instant, (a) sketch a vector diagram showing the components
of its acceleration, (b) determine the magnitude
of its radial acceleration, and (c) determine the speed and
velocity of the ball.
Homework Equations
a = v^2 / r
a(total) = a(tangent) + a(radial)
The Attempt at a Solution
For starters, I don't even know how to approach a), in all honesty. Since the problem doesn't tell me in which direction the rope is spinning, I don't know where to start. However, I have a feeling that the problem doesn't need to tell me this based on the information regarding total acceleration.
Also, even though the total acceleration is expressed in that format, I seriously doubt that the unit vectors are ar and at. If I knew how to draw this, I'll probably be able to figure out the rest of the problem...