Calculating velocity/acceleration from sway of an object.

[Gheret]

Homework Statement

A train accelerates from rest causing the handles that hang from the roof to sway 32 degrees from vertical. How long will it take the train to travel 300metres.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

All I know is that the horizontal component of the force vector on the handle would be used to find acceleration.

 

[gneill]

Did you draw a Free Body Diagram for a typical handle? What is the relationship between the acceleration due to gravity and the horizontal acceleration of the train in terms of the hang angle?

 

[Gheret]

Thanks for the reply.

Would it be tan32=?/g
With ? being the acceleration of the x component.

 

[gneill]

That sounds reasonable.