2 Objects connected by rigid rod moving perpendicular to each other

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The problem involves two objects, A and B, connected by a rigid rod of 60m, sliding along perpendicular guide rails. Object A moves left at a constant speed of 62m/s along the x-axis, and the goal is to find the velocity of object B along the y-axis when the rod makes a 30-degree angle with the x-axis. The relationship between the coordinates can be established using the Pythagorean theorem, leading to the equation x^2 + y^2 = 60^2. To solve for the velocity of B, an implicit derivative of this equation with respect to time is necessary. Understanding the trammel mechanism and how the angles relate is crucial for solving the problem effectively.
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I am having a lot of trouble trying to figure out ot do this problem. The problem states that Two objects, A and B are connected by a rigid rod that has a length of 60m. The objects slide along perpendicular guide rails. If A slides to the left witha constant speed of 62m/s along the x-axis, find the velocity of B along the Y-axis when the rod makes an angle 30 degrees with the X-axis.

I have tried to work out this using trig functions but I do not think that is the proper way of doing the problem. Feel free to change the numbers around, I really just want to understand how to do the problem as I am stuck. I have been unable to figure it out by reading my book and cannot find a similar problem.

Thanks for the help!
 
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Hint 1: What's the relationship between the two coordinates? (Think Pythagorus.)

Hint 2: You'll need to take a derivative.
 
I have a similar problem to the one physacks submitted. I'm having trouble finding the relationship between the coordinates as you (Doc Al) said.
Plz help,
Thanks
 
Please provide a diagram that illustrates the problem. I assume that object A is constrained to move along the x-axis and object B is constrained to move along the y-axis. Since the distance between the two end points is fixed, how must the positions of the two objects relate? Hint: The origin and the objects A and B form a right triangle whose hypotenuse is the length of the rod.
 
Here's the diagram of the problem.
I assume the sides are related by the pythagorean theorem: x^2 + y^2 = 64^2
Do I take the derivative of this equation or is there another equation I need? I feel like I need something that also relates time. It seems like a rate of change problem...so I'd use an implicit derivative. But I'm just having trouble figuring out the equation to use.
Thanks
 

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jslive03, try thinking of your equation as
[x(t)]^2+[y(t)]^2=64^2
and then differentiate wrt t.

By the way, this is called a trammel mechanism.
 
Last edited:
jsliv03 said:
I assume the sides are related by the pythagorean theorem: x^2 + y^2 = 64^2
Do I take the derivative of this equation or is there another equation I need?
You're doing fine. That's the equation you need.
I feel like I need something that also relates time. It seems like a rate of change problem...so I'd use an implicit derivative.
Exactly.

Now just work out how the 38 degrees fits in.
 
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