Acceleration perpendicular to gravity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of finding acceleration that is perpendicular to gravity, particularly in the context of a car's motion. Participants explore various aspects of the problem, including the relationship between forces, angles, and known variables related to the car's acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks if there is an equation for determining acceleration perpendicular to gravity.
  • Another participant suggests using the components of force that are perpendicular to gravity, referencing Newton's second law (F=ma).
  • Several participants express confusion regarding the problem, particularly when only one side length and a right angle are known, questioning how to find other angles or necessary values.
  • A participant mentions knowing the acceleration due to gravity, the weight of the car, the time of acceleration, and the circumference of the wheels, but lacks information on velocity or acceleration.
  • Another participant points out that the provided information is insufficient to determine horizontal acceleration without additional details, such as the number of wheel turns per second.
  • A later reply suggests that the problem resembles a homework question and advises the original poster to follow the appropriate forum rules for homework-related inquiries.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and confusion regarding the problem, with no consensus reached on how to approach the calculation of acceleration perpendicular to gravity. The discussion remains unresolved as participants seek more information and clarification.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the information provided, such as missing angles and insufficient data to determine horizontal acceleration. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the relationships between the known and unknown variables.

smiddleton
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Hey guys,
Is there an equation for finding the acceleration perpendicular to gravity?
 
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F=ma, right? F is a vector, so if you want the acceleration perpendicular to the force of gravity then use the component(s) of F that are perpendicular to gravity.
 
What if only know the length of one side and only angle of the right angle? Which is 90 degrees. I'm not sure how to find it don't know one of the other angles.
 
smiddleton said:
What if only know the length of one side and only angle of the right angle? Which is 90 degrees. I'm not sure how to find it don't know one of the other angles.
If all you know is the weight of the car and the acceleration of gravity, you cannot tell how hard the driver is pressing down on the accelerator.

So... what is it that you do know?
 
Last edited:
smiddleton said:
What if only know the length of one side

Which length are you talking about?
 
I know the accelration due to gravity. I know the weight of the car. I know how long it is accelerating for, time in seconds, and I know the circumference of the wheels. I do not know velocity or acceleration of the car. But I do have a minimum and a maximum value for velocity of the car. So the values I am trying to find are between the min and max velocity, if that helps.
 
smiddleton said:
I know the accelration due to gravity. I know the weight of the car. I know how long it is accelerating for, time in seconds, and I know the circumference of the wheels. I do not know velocity or acceleration of the car. But I do have a minimum and a maximum value for velocity of the car. So the values I am trying to find are between the min and max velocity, if that helps.
So you are talking about a car accelerating for sometime?

The information you provided is still not sufficient for finding the acceleration of it horizontally.Do you know the number of turns of the wheel per second?
 
smiddleton said:
I know the accelration due to gravity. I know the weight of the car. I know how long it is accelerating for, time in seconds, and I know the circumference of the wheels. I do not know velocity or acceleration of the car. But I do have a minimum and a maximum value for velocity of the car. So the values I am trying to find are between the min and max velocity, if that helps.

This sounds, smells, and quacks like a HW/Coursework problem. Rather than give annoying bits and pieces of the problem, please redo this in the HW/Coursework forum and follow the rules and template of that forum.

Thread closed.

Zz.
 

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