Circular Motion and Centripetal Force of a Swinging Bucket

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bucket of water being swung in a vertical circle, focusing on the conditions necessary for the water to remain inside the bucket without spilling. The subject area pertains to circular motion and centripetal force.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between gravitational force, normal force, and the required centripetal force for the water to stay in the bucket. Questions arise about the necessary conditions for the forces to balance and the implications of those conditions on the acceleration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have suggested using centripetal acceleration and gravitational acceleration to analyze the forces involved. There is an exploration of the scenario at the top of the circular path, where the normal force is considered to be zero, leading to a discussion about the implications for the speed of the bucket.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the assumptions regarding the forces acting on the water and the bucket, particularly in relation to the conditions under which the water does not spill. There is a lack of consensus on the interpretation of the forces and their roles in the problem.

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Homework Statement


You swing a 6.5 kg bucket of water in a vertical circle of radius 3.6 m.
What speed must the bucket have if it is to complete the circle without spilling any water?
mass=6.5 kg
r= 3.6

Homework Equations


ay=(v^(2)/(r))
may= A-N-Mg

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that the force of gravity on the water and the normal force of the bucket on the water both point down. I assume you need to get the centripetal acceleration first. But I do not know what the applied force is and have no way of knowing. What do I do?
 
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What would need to happen for the water to stay in the bucket? (something needs to equal something else)
 
the normal force and gravity must equal the applied force. But if that is the case, then ay is 0 and the problem is unsolvable.
 
You need to use centripetal acceleration (or a reaction against it), and acceleration of gravity for this one.
 
at the top of the path, the normal force the bucket exerts on the water is 0. therefore, applied force, which is equal to normal force, is 0. Thus mg=(m)(v2/r) solving for v gets 5.94 m/s.
 

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