Calculating the Rate of Acceleration of a 45 Degree Incline

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the concepts of acceleration and apparent weight in the context of a body moving along a 45-degree incline at constant speed. Participants explore the implications of constant velocity on perceived gravitational effects and the calculations involved in determining effective gravitational forces in various scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the relationship between constant speed and acceleration, particularly in the context of gravitational effects when moving at an angle. There are inquiries about how to calculate effective gravitational force when traveling on an incline and whether the sine function applies in this scenario.

Discussion Status

Several participants provide insights into the nature of apparent weight and the forces acting on a body in motion. There is an ongoing exploration of how different conditions, such as constant speed versus acceleration, affect the perceived gravitational force. The discussion remains open with various interpretations being considered.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem is not a typical homework question but rather a conceptual inquiry into physics principles, indicating a desire to clarify understanding rather than seeking direct solutions.

IMK
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Hello,

Sorry to bother you all with this simply question but I could not think of a better place to ask.

If a body/particle is traveling along an incline of 45 degrees from the horizontal at a constant speed, it is as I understand it accelerating away from the centre of the earth.
So how do I calculate the rate of acceleration please?
Many thanks IMK
 
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If the particle is maintaining a constant direction and speed, why would you think it's accelerating?
 
... and if it is going "down" the incline, why would you think it is moving "away" from the center of the Earth?
 
Hello Doc Al, berkeman and many thanks for your reply

Now as I understand it, and I am asking if I am correct?


If I am traveling vertically away from Earth and a constant speed, my sense of gravity would be 1g plus the ng effect of the speed I am traveling at. Likewise if I was traveling towards Earth vertically at constant speed, my sense of gravity would be 1g less the ng effect of the speed I am traveling at. (This assume I am only a short distance from Earth and hence the affect of gravity is constant).

So what I am asking is: I f I am traveling at an angle how do I calculate the effective g, is it the Sin?

So let me explain the problem then maybe someone can tell me how to solve it, or in fact is there a problem to be solved?

If I am in a car traveling horizontally and accelerating at a rate of 1g what is the g I am subjected to?
__
Is it 2g or / 2 = 1.414

Two, if I am traveling in a car up an incline of 45 degrees at a constant 30mph what is the g, and how do I calculate it please…

Many thanks IMK
PS This is not a home work question but a problem I am trying to figure out with very rusty physics.
 
IMK said:
If I am traveling vertically away from Earth and a constant speed, my sense of gravity would be 1g plus the ng effect of the speed I am traveling at. Likewise if I was traveling towards Earth vertically at constant speed, my sense of gravity would be 1g less the ng effect of the speed I am traveling at. (This assume I am only a short distance from Earth and hence the affect of gravity is constant).
If you are moving at constant velocity the net force on you is zero. That means something is exactly supporting your weight and that your apparent weight just equals your actual weight (mg). Your speed or direction does not affect your weight.

So what I am asking is: I f I am traveling at an angle how do I calculate the effective g, is it the Sin?

So let me explain the problem then maybe someone can tell me how to solve it, or in fact is there a problem to be solved?

If I am in a car traveling horizontally and accelerating at a rate of 1g what is the g I am subjected to?
__
Is it 2g or / 2 = 1.414
The fact that you are accelerating makes all the difference! The supporting force of the car must do two things: (1) support your weight with an upward vertical force equal to mg, and (2) push you forward with a force equal to mg to accelerate you. The total force of the car on you (and thus your apparent weight) is \sqrt{2} mg, thus you are subjected to \sqrt{2}g.


Two, if I am traveling in a car up an incline of 45 degrees at a constant 30mph what is the g, and how do I calculate it please…
You got rid of the acceleration! So your apparent weight is back to normal = 1 g.
 
Doc AL, many thanks for your reply
Sorry to bother again, but are you sure that if I am traveling vertically at a constant speed then I will only feel 1g.
Again many thanks IMK
 
IMK said:
Sorry to bother again, but are you sure that if I am traveling vertically at a constant speed then I will only feel 1g.
Of course. But don't take my word for it, figure it out! What one feels is the force of whatever is supporting you--that's your apparent weight and what gives you the feeling of gs. Per Newton's 2nd law, the net force on a body equals "ma". Thus, if something is not accelerating, the net force on it is zero.

The typical illustration of apparent weight is what you feel when on an elevator. If the elevator is moving at a constant speed, the net force is zero. So the upward force you feel against your feet must exactly equal the force of gravity. The fact that you are moving up or down doesn't matter. If the elevator were moving at some angle rather than straight up, it still wouldn't matter.

But if the elevator is accelerating upwards, there must be a net upward force. If we represent the force of the elevator pushing against your feet as "N" (for normal force), then:
The net force on you = +N - mg
Newton tells us: +N - mg = ma
Thus: N = ma + mg = m(g + a)
Which means you feel a "g-force" of "g + a".
 
Doc Al,Many thanks and well I have to change the way of thinking about what I am trying to do..
Again many thanks for your help IMK
 

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