- #1
DrTuring
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Homework Statement
I have a an arm with an attached hinge and weight that is rotating inside of a circle, but important the arm is not rotating about the center of the circle. The arm is spinning fast enough so that the weight is always making contact with the edge of the circle. I need to calculate the force applied against the circle by the weight for any given arm rotation.
Homework Equations
F = m*(v^2)/r
but I'm really confused about whether r should be the distance to the rotation point or the distance to the center of the circular path the weight is following.
The Attempt at a Solution
Given that the arm and hinge lengths are constant, I've calculated all the geometry to determine exactly where the weight is at any time relative to the origin (center of circle), and the radius of the weight to the center of rotation (which changes with every degree of rotation of the arm). If I know the angular velocity, how can I calculate the forces? I'm a math guy and and am very very rusty on physics...
I hope the picture helps describe the scenario...
Thanks for any insight you can provide I'm very grateful++