Acceleration and cylindrical coordinates

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating acceleration in cylindrical coordinates, specifically the second derivatives of radius (r¨) and angle (θ¨). The user has successfully derived the first derivatives (r˙ and θ˙) but encounters discrepancies when attempting to compute the second derivatives using the acceleration equation: a=(r¨−rθ˙2)r^+(rθ¨+2θ˙r˙)θ^. Despite following the correct method, the user is unable to reconcile their results with the provided answers, indicating a potential oversight in their calculations or assumptions.

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  • Cylindrical coordinate system fundamentals
  • Understanding of acceleration equations in physics
  • Knowledge of vector notation and intrinsic coordinates
  • Basic calculus, specifically derivatives
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Homework Statement


The question and my attempt are attached as pics
2015-02-23 14_46_15-Sheet#3CH11.pdf - Foxit Reader.png
2015-02-23 14_45_14-Sheet#3CH11.pdf - Foxit Reader.png

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I can't seem to find r¨ and θ¨. Assuming I already got r˙ and θ˙ (the answers are written after the question). The idea I tried was to get the acceleration equation in cylindrical coordinates,
a=(r¨−rθ˙2)r^+(rθ¨+2θ˙r˙)θ^
and the a in intrinsic coordinates (v˙t^+v2/ρn^) in our case I assumed that t^=i and n^=j and that assumption is correct because it got the r˙ right, then I got r^ and θ^ in terms of i and j and now we have 2 equations with 2 unknown. The problem is that it gets the answer wrong, I checked my numbers a trillion time, still can't get the answer, anyone have any idea what is wrong?
10428009_1594866114062921_7986662162992654878_n.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 2015-02-23 14_45_14-Sheet#3CH11.pdf - Foxit Reader.png
    2015-02-23 14_45_14-Sheet#3CH11.pdf - Foxit Reader.png
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  • 2015-02-23 14_46_15-Sheet#3CH11.pdf - Foxit Reader.png
    2015-02-23 14_46_15-Sheet#3CH11.pdf - Foxit Reader.png
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  • 10428009_1594866114062921_7986662162992654878_n.jpg
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I see nothing wrong with your method or working. Did you find ##\dot r## and ##\dot \theta## independently, or are you just using the numbers given? What numbers do you get for the second derivatives?
 
haruspex said:
I see nothing wrong with your method or working. Did you find ##\dot r## and ##\dot \theta## independently, or are you just using the numbers given? What numbers do you get for the second derivatives?
i managed to get ##\dot r## and ##\dot \theta## but i didnt include it here, i am going to use the given numbers for now, the question asks for second derivatives he gave me the answers but they don't match mine
 
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