Artificial Gravity: Benefits & Uses

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving artificial gravity in a space station, specifically comparing the weights felt by two individuals jogging at a constant speed in opposite directions relative to the station's rotation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of centrifugal force and the effects of jogging speed relative to the rotation of the space station. Questions arise regarding the necessary angular velocity for calculations and the implications of jogging with and against the rotation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided equations related to centrifugal force and angular velocity, suggesting a method to calculate the total speed of the joggers. There is an ongoing exploration of how these factors influence the perceived weight of the individuals.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of specific information regarding the station's rotation speed, which is essential for completing the calculations. Participants are working within the constraints of the problem as presented.

coltsamuel96
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Please help me with this problem, at a distance of 40m from the centre of a space station, is a round platform for jogging... compare the weights felt by two persons jogging at 12km/h, when one is jogging in the direction of the rotation of the space station and other in the opposite direction... attempt at the solution, i can get the centrifugal force from the r and v.. ´but after that?thanks in advance
 
\vec{F}=m\vec{a}
\vec{a}=\frac{v^2}{r}\hat{r}
 
You'll need to know how fast the station is rotating. If it's not given, then you'll have to write the answer in terms of \omega.
 
the velocity i think can be calculated with v^2/r=g... i think it has to do something with the motion of the person jogging with and against the rotation on the station...
 
Combining the two equations I listed previously...

\vec{F}=m\vec{a}=m\frac{v^2}{r}\hat{r}

There is your basic equation for centrifugal force.

Now, assume the station is rotating at some angular velocity \omega rad/sec.

You'll need to convert that into a velocity:

v_s=\omega r

Now, if the guy is running in the direction of rotation, then his total speed will be:

v_{tot}=v+v_s=v+\omega r

If he's running against the direction of rotation, then his total speed will be:

v_{tot}=v-v_s=v-\omega r

Now you can plug these two velocities into the first equation:

\vec{F_+}=m\vec{a_+}=m\frac{\left(v+\omega r\right)^2}{r}\hat{r}

\vec{F_-}=m\vec{a_-}=m\frac{\left(v-\omega r\right)^2}{r}\hat{r}
 
thanks for the help, now i get it...
 

Similar threads

Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
7K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
4K