Ball rotated on a string vector diagram

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a ball swinging counterclockwise in a vertical circle at the end of a rope, with specific focus on its acceleration components and the dynamics involved in circular motion. The original poster presents a scenario involving the ball's acceleration vector and seeks to understand the relationship between its radial and tangential components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the components of acceleration, questioning the definitions of radial and tangential acceleration. There are attempts to relate the given acceleration vector to the forces acting on the ball, including tension and gravity. Some participants suggest drawing diagrams to visualize the problem better.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various interpretations of the acceleration components being explored. Participants are actively questioning assumptions about the angle and the direction of the unit vectors involved. There is a recognition of the need for relevant equations to link the forces and acceleration, but no consensus has been reached on a specific approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the angle of 36.9° in relation to the vertical position of the ball and discuss the implications of this angle on the components of acceleration. There is also mention of the need to clarify the roles of the unit vectors in the context of the problem.

Ab17
Messages
99
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement



is 1222.5i 1 20.2j2 m/s . For that instant, (a) sketch a vector diagram showing the components of its acceler- ation, (b) determine the magnitude of its radial accel- eration, and (c) determine the speed and velocity of the ball.
42. A ball swings counterclockwise in a vertical circle at
the end of a rope 1.50 m long. When the ball is 36.9°
past the lowest point on its way up, its total acceleration is is -22.5i +20.2j m/s2 . For that instant, (a) sketch a vector diagram showing the components of its acceler- ation, (b) determine the magnitude of its radial accel- eration, and (c) determine the speed and velocity of the ball.

Homework Equations


a= acì + atj

The Attempt at a Solution


If the total acceleration is given by -22
5ì + 20.2j m/s2 then isn't 22.5 is the radial acceleration and 20.2m/s2 is the tangential acceleration. I am confused can you please show me the vector diagram too
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi Ab,

Where did you find that relevant equation ?

Why don't you start drawing a picture of the situation. And work it around to a free body diagram of the ball.
 
The equation is in vector form
 
There is tension and gravity
 
Ab17 said:
The equation is in vector form
In the sense that it gives an x component and a y component.
Ab17 said:
There is tension and gravity
Yes. Please make the sketch.
 
  • FBD
 

Attachments

  • 23052016895.jpg
    23052016895.jpg
    24.7 KB · Views: 554
That's a start. There is a bit more information: 36.9##^\circ##, 1.5 m and ##\vec a = -22.5 \,\hat\imath + 20.2\, \hat\jmath ## m/s2. (In fact I find these values a bit strange: I would expect a negative vertical component. Brings me to the question: what are ##\hat\imath## and ## \hat\jmath## ? I don't see them in the drawing).

Now you need a relevant equation to link the forces and the acceleration. Any idea ?
 
Last edited:
F= ma
The tension is causing the centripetal acc
 
So the centripetal acc will be in direction of tension and towards the center
 
  • #10
I and j are unit vectors
 
  • #11
Ab17 said:
I and j are unit vectors
Yes, that's why they have a hat. But so far you didn't reveal which way they point :smile:.
Ab17 said:
So the centripetal acc will be in direction of tension and towards the center
Correct. It is a given that the ball describes a circular trajectory. Not with a constant speed (why not?).
Now it's time for another equation. And perhaps you can already draw the figure that part (a) asks for ?

[edit]
BvU said:
I find these values a bit strange: I would expect a negative vertical component
This was a bit premature. Please ignore.
 
  • #12
Is this ok
 

Attachments

  • 20160524_143851.jpg
    20160524_143851.jpg
    16.6 KB · Views: 650
  • #13
Ab17 said:
A ball swings counterclockwise in a vertical circle at
the end of a rope 1.50 m long. When the ball is 36.9° past the lowest point on its way up
I'm not good at approval stamping. But I am good at asking nasty questions, so:
  • What makes you think the ##\hat \imath## and ##\hat \jmath## are radial and tangential and not simply horizontal and vertical ?
  • Where is that 36.9° angle sitting ?
 
  • #14
Because If a is the total acceleration then its components have to be I and J
 
  • #15
36.9 is below the x axis
 
  • #16
Ab17 said:
Because If a is the total acceleration then its components have to be I and J
Agree. But this goes for horizontal and vertical just as well.
Ab17 said:
36.9 is below the x axis
It cleary says something else altogether.
 
  • #17
It tells us the location of the ball isnt
 
  • #18
Ab17 said:
When the ball is 36.9° past the lowest point on its way up
to me means the angle between the negative vertical axis (the ##\ -\bf \hat\jmath\ ## direction) is 36.9° .
So the complement of the angle you draw.
 
  • #19
So i should break centripetal acc into components or somthn like that
 
  • #20
Sort of. You know the ball describes a circular trajectory. There is an equation needed to link acceleration and speed. At the moment we don't have any relevant equations at all. I hope by now ee do agree that only two forces work on the ball. And we know the resultant acceleration. To link ##\vec T + m\vec g## to the given resultant acceleration we also need a relevant equation.
Set up a plan of approach and carry it out !
 
  • #21
Break mg into components and then t-mgcos@ = mv2/r and the other component is responsible for tangential acceleration so mgsin@ = ma
gsin@ = a
 
  • #22
Good plan? Does it work and give you the desired answers ? I doubt it.

However, the ##|\vec F_{\rm centripetal} | = {mv^2\over r}\ ## is an essential equation indeed!

I see two different unknown a with the same symbol. Recipe for disaster :smile:.

And I don't see the known ##\ \vec a = -22.5 \hat\imath + 20.2 \hat\jmath\ ## in your plan ?

Fortunately you didn't start carrying out the plan yet :mad:.

For your next post I hope to see a plan + execution :rolleyes: (or at least attempt at ..)

But: we're getting under way !
 
  • #23
ac = v2/r
 
  • #24
Mgcos@ = Mac
gcos@ = ac
ac = 7.84m.s2
 
  • #25
ac = v2/r
V = sqrt(ac.r)
V = 3.43 m-s1
 
  • #26
Ab17 said:
ac = v2/r
You mean ac = v2/r
Ab17 said:
##g\cos\alpha= a_c##
##a_c = ## 7.84 m.s2
So T is not contributing and we can forget the given ##
\ \vec a = -22.5 \hat\imath + 20.2 \hat\jmath\
## ?
Furthermore it is m/s2, not m.s2
For your next post I hope to see a plan + execution :rolleyes: (or at least attempt at ..)
Perhaps try to keep them separate.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
20K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
10K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
Replies
13
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
2K