Calculating Linear and Centripetal Acceleration for a Car in Rotational Motion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating linear and centripetal acceleration for a car in rotational motion, specifically at a moment during a race where the car is navigating a turn. The problem involves understanding the relationships between angular speed, angular acceleration, and their linear counterparts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of linear speed and centripetal acceleration, with one participant attempting to derive linear acceleration using the formula at = r(alpha). Questions arise regarding the definition and directionality of linear acceleration as a vector, and how to break it into components.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants sharing calculations and clarifying concepts. One participant has provided a calculation for centripetal acceleration and noted its directional properties, while another is exploring how to resolve linear acceleration into components. There is no explicit consensus on the total linear acceleration yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information available for discussion. There is an emphasis on understanding the vector nature of acceleration and the relationships between different types of acceleration in rotational motion.

pb23me
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Homework Statement


At a particular moment in a race, a car moving around a turn with a radius of 50m had an angular speed of .6rad/sec and an angular acceleration of .2rad/sec2
At this particular moment find:
the linear speed
the centripetal acceleration
its total linear acceleration


Homework Equations


w=\Deltatheta/\Deltat
vt=rw
alpha=\Deltaw/\Deltat


The Attempt at a Solution

linearspeed =50*.6=30m/s
linear acceleration would be at=r(alpha) so at=10m/s2
I don't know how to calculate the centripetal acceleration
 
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pb23me said:
At this particular moment find:
...
the centripetal acceleration
its total linear acceleration
...
linear acceleration would be at=r(alpha) so at=10m/s2
I don't know how to calculate the centripetal acceleration
You probably have a formula for centripetal acceleration in your book or notes. This is one of those "given" formulas that you learn (on par with F=m.a in freshman physics). Your other problem is, what do you really mean by "linear acceleration"? Acceleration, like velocity, has a magnitude and direction, i.e. it is a vector. As a vector, it can be broken into components and there is some "resultant" or "total" acceleration. Hint: what is the relationship between the "centripetal" direction, and the direction that you have indicated with a subscript "t"? Identify the components of the acceleration in an appropriate coordinate system.
 
ok so centripetal acceleration=rw2=18m/s2
i know that centripetal acceleration points towards the center of the circle and linear acceleration is tangential to the circle... i don't know what direction to break linear acceleration up into..
 
well i just looked at the drawing and it seems to indicate that there is an acceleration 45 degrees inward from at
 
102+182=424 so total linear acceleration=20.6m/s2
 

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