Calculating Average Acceleration in Uniform Circular Motion

AI Thread Summary
In uniform circular motion, the average acceleration over one complete cycle (time T) is zero because the initial and final velocities are equal, resulting in no change in velocity. However, over half a cycle (time T/2), the average acceleration is non-zero since the velocities are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. The change in velocity is calculated as twice the magnitude of the velocity, leading to a formula for average acceleration of (8πr)/T². The calculations appear correct, confirming the understanding of average acceleration in circular motion. This analysis highlights the distinction between average acceleration over different time intervals in circular motion.
LD_90
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
I've been working on this for awhile. I think I've got it. Ok here's the problem:

A particle moves in a circle of radius r completing one cycle in time T. What is the magnitude of the average acceleration over time T and over time T/2?

It seems to me that over time T the magitude of the ave acceleration should be zero, but over time T/2, it has to be a non-zero number. Since the acceleration is constant, the instantaneous acceleration should be equal to the average acceleration. v(final)-v(initial)=change in v

the (change in v)/(change in time)= a ; so at time T, v(final) - v(initial)=0 and so acceleration has to equal zero. Over time T/2, v(final ) and v(initial) are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, so the change in v
should equal (2)(magnitude of v)

v=(2(pi)r)/T, then delta v = (4(pi)r)/T, delta t=T/2, so a=((8)(pi)r)/T^2
This seems right to me. Am I missing something.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
looks fine to me.
 
Thanks for the help.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top