How Can I Solve Complex Physics Homework Problems?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving complex physics homework problems, specifically involving orbital mechanics and dynamics. The user, dusty, seeks assistance with calculations related to a weather surveillance satellite's tangential velocity, orbital period, and weight, as well as the dynamics of an Atwood machine. Key equations utilized include Newton's law of gravitation and kinematic equations. The calculations provided demonstrate the application of these principles, yielding results such as a tangential velocity of 8060.6 m/s and a moment of inertia for the pulley of 0.014 kg*m².

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  • Basic principles of angular motion and moment of inertia
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dustybray
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Hi,

I’m having a really difficult time in physics, and I need some help on this homework assignment.

Here are the questions and the work I’ve done. I really don’t know how to approach them, and at this point, I’m just kinda throwing equations at them haphazardly…


5. A 175 kg weather surveillance satellite of is launched into orbit with an altitude of
250 km. The mass of the Earth is 5.97 x 1024 kg. The radius of the Earth is
6.38 x 103 km.


a. Calculate the tangential velocity required for this orbit.

mg = mv^2 / r

g = v^2 / r

v = sqrt(gr) = sqrt( 9.8m/s^2 * (6.38*10^6 m + 250000m) )

v = 8060.6m/s

b. Calculate the period of this orbit in minutes.

T^2 = (4PI^2 / GM[E]) r^3

T^2 = (4PI^2 / (6.67 * 10^-11) * 5.97 x 1024 kg) * (6.38 x 106 m + 250000m)^3

T = 3.2*10^28s/rev

3.2*10^28s/rev * (1min / 60s) = 5.33*10^26 min/rev ??

c. What is the weight of the satellite?

mg = G( Mm / r^2 ) I can’t use this formula, there are two m’s…


v^2 = G( m/r )

m = rv^2 / G

m = ( (6.38*10^6 m + 250000m) * (8060.6m/s)^2 ) / (6.67*10^-11)

This isn’t right…


9. In an Atwood machine, one block has a mass of 500g and the other a mass of 460g.
The pulley, which is mounted in horizontal frictionless bearings, has a radius of
5.0cm. When released from rest, the heavier block is observed to fall 75cm in 5.0s
with no slippage of the cord on the pulley.

d = v*t + (1/2)*a*t^2

d-v*t = (1/2)*a*t^2

a = 2*( d -v * t)/ t^2 )

a = 2*( ( .75m -0 * 5s) / (5s)^2 ) = .06m/s^2

a. Calculate the acceleration of the two blocks.

a[M] = -.06m/s^2
a[m] = .06m/s^2

b. Calculate the tension in the cord supporting the heavier block.

T[1] = mg+ma = (.46kg) (9.8m/s^2) + (.46kg) (.06m/s^2) = 4.54N

c. Calculate the tension in the cord supporting the lighter block. Note the answer to b and c is not the same.

T[2] – T[1] = Mg – mg – Ma – ma

T[2] – 4.54N = (.5kg) (9.8m/s^2) – (.46kg) * (9.8m/s^2) – (.5kg) * (.06m/s^2) – (.46kg) * (.06m/s^2)

T[2] – 4.54N = .33N

T[2] = 4.87N

d. Calculate the angular acceleration of the pulley.

α = a / r = .06m/s^2 / .05m = 1.2rad/s^2

e. Calculate the moment of inertia of the pulley.

T[2] – T[1] = I (a / r^2)

I = (T[2] – T[1]) / (a / r^2)

I = (.33N) / (.06m/s^2 / (.05m)^2) = .014 kg*m^2


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

dusty…….
 
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5. v^2/r is the acceleration and you know the mass. So the weight is ...?? :)
 

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