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hondaman520
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So I am studying mechanical engineering, and I got into a debate with my (mit mechy) graduate roommate about the possibility of having a net nonzero force which involved no actual displacement of an object.
Normally, when an object is accelerated along a direction (given an external force), it will be displaced.
I was thinking about an applied situation where a car makes a circular turn (uniform rotational motion, assuming there is no rotational acceleration), and there appears to be a nonzero net force along the direction orthogonal to the direction of travel. Obviously there is a centripetal force acting to keep the car planted on the road, directed in a circle. Textbooks describe the static friction from the tires, as the supply for centripetal force. And since the centrifugal (outward) force is only fictitious, there is a nonzero net force (centripetal), lateral to the direction of travel.
The interesting thing about this situation is that static friction involves no displacement of an object. However, centripetal acceleration is taking place, so it appears you can have a net acceleration, without actually being displaced in the respective direction.
Is this true? If so, could I also say, in theory, that there is no energy transfer? Because there is no actual work being done when the centripetal force (static friction) keeps the car directed along a circle.
I understand that in reality there is always energy transfer, due to slippage, other sorts of forces, etc. I am talking in theory here. My point is that, it seems that centrifugal force being only ficticious, which would balance out the centripetal force, does not exist in the total force equation, so there is a net force of static friction directed towards the center.
Also, if this is an accurate comprehension, why would it be considered accelerating, with a numerical magnitude in meters/secondsquared, when there is actually no displacement. This seams very counter-intuitive.
Please, I understand this was lengthy, but I am struggling to find professors who can understand my question. Any elaboration would be much appreciated.
Normally, when an object is accelerated along a direction (given an external force), it will be displaced.
I was thinking about an applied situation where a car makes a circular turn (uniform rotational motion, assuming there is no rotational acceleration), and there appears to be a nonzero net force along the direction orthogonal to the direction of travel. Obviously there is a centripetal force acting to keep the car planted on the road, directed in a circle. Textbooks describe the static friction from the tires, as the supply for centripetal force. And since the centrifugal (outward) force is only fictitious, there is a nonzero net force (centripetal), lateral to the direction of travel.
The interesting thing about this situation is that static friction involves no displacement of an object. However, centripetal acceleration is taking place, so it appears you can have a net acceleration, without actually being displaced in the respective direction.
Is this true? If so, could I also say, in theory, that there is no energy transfer? Because there is no actual work being done when the centripetal force (static friction) keeps the car directed along a circle.
I understand that in reality there is always energy transfer, due to slippage, other sorts of forces, etc. I am talking in theory here. My point is that, it seems that centrifugal force being only ficticious, which would balance out the centripetal force, does not exist in the total force equation, so there is a net force of static friction directed towards the center.
Also, if this is an accurate comprehension, why would it be considered accelerating, with a numerical magnitude in meters/secondsquared, when there is actually no displacement. This seams very counter-intuitive.
Please, I understand this was lengthy, but I am struggling to find professors who can understand my question. Any elaboration would be much appreciated.