Centripetal Forces and the Bucket in a Circle

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the dynamics of a bucket filled with water undergoing centripetal motion. It highlights a scenario where the net force required to keep the water in the bucket is 3N, while the gravitational force acting on the water is 4N. Participants debate whether the water would remain in the bucket if both the bucket and water are accelerating downwards at 9.8 m/s². It is noted that if the bucket is at least half full, the water's surface will enter free fall before the bucket due to its position relative to the center of mass. The conversation concludes with a clarification of the term "center of mass" (CoM).
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Homework Statement


I was watching a video on centripetal forces, and at one point in the video, the instructor poses a question where he shows a bucket filled with water which requires an Fnet of 3N towards the center to keep the water in the bucket.
At one point in the video (please seek to 6:09)


he says that the water will fall out of the bucket at the top because there is an Fg of 4N, but if there is no force of tension and the bucket and water are both accelerating at 9.8m/s/s (assuming down is +ve) then will the bucket not stay in the water?

Homework Equations


N/A
 
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Well, presumably when the bucket hits the ground the water will not stay in the bucket.
 
paisiello2 said:
Well, presumably when the bucket hits the ground the water will not stay in the bucket.
I guess so, but while the bucket is in the air, it should be accelerating downwards w/ the water @ 9.8m/s/s, no? Meaning the water stays in the bucket?
 
You make an interesting point, but there are some practical considerations.
If the bucket is at least half full, the surface water will be closer to the axis of rotation than will the bucket's CoM. This means it requires less centripetal acceleration, so will enter free fall before the bucket does.
 
haruspex said:
You make an interesting point, but there are some practical considerations.
If the bucket is at least half full, the surface water will be closer to the axis of rotation than will the bucket's CoM. This means it requires less centripetal acceleration, so will enter free fall before the bucket does.
Interesting, I'm assuming that this is beyond the scope of my course-- cool regardless.

CoM = Center of Mass, correct?
 
AAAA said:
Interesting, I'm assuming that this is beyond the scope of my course-- cool regardless.

CoM = Center of Mass, correct?
Yes.
 
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