Circular motion and (maybe) pendulum

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an object of mass 2 kg moving in circular motion on a smooth horizontal surface, attached to a rigid rope of length 1 m. The maximum tension in the rope is given as 1000 N, and the task is to find the maximum angular velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the role of tension in circular motion and question how to relate forces acting on the object. There are attempts to connect angular velocity with centripetal acceleration and the radius of the circular path.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the relationship between tension, centripetal acceleration, and angular velocity. There is an ongoing exploration of how to apply Newton's second law and the definitions of circular motion. Multiple interpretations of the forces involved are being considered.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the definitions and relationships between various physical quantities, such as tension, angular velocity, and radius, while also addressing potential misunderstandings in their derivations.

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Homework Statement


an object with mass m=2kg is placed on a horizontal smooth surface. it's tied to a rigid and unextensible rope long L=1m. this object moves around in a circular motion without lifting from the surfuce. the maximum tension of the rope is T=1000N. find the angular velocity [tex]\omega_{max}[/tex]

Homework Equations


[tex]\omega= \frac{d \theta}{dt}[/tex] or [tex]a_{centre}=\frac{v^2}{r}[/tex]
[tex]\vec N=mg[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



I really don't know where to start from
There's no friction so the forces on the object are N, the normal force going up along the positive axis y, the T force (though I don't know the angle between the surface and the L). Well ... that's all that comes to my mind right now. Anything right in my blabbing?
 
Last edited:
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The tension in the rope is the clue. The force experienced during circular motion can have a maximum value of what? It should be easy to determine the maximum angular velocity from there.
 
Kurdt said:
The tension in the rope is the clue. The force experienced during circular motion can have a maximum value of what? It should be easy to determine the maximum angular velocity from there.

sorry can't follow you. What is the force during circular motion equal to?
Anything to do with sin & cos ?
 
how do I calculate the force which pushes the object in a circular motion?
[tex]\sum F= \vec T+ \vec N + \vec P[/tex] ?

or is it something like this

[tex]\theta=\theta_0 + \omega (...t)[/tex]

(I'm not sure of this last formula, I remember something like that)
 
Last edited:
You're not really close at all. In circular motion the object is subject to an acceleration (centripetal acceleration) toward the centre of the circular motion. Thus there is also a force proportional to that acceleration toward the centre of the circular motion. Think of Newton's second law.
 
F=m*a (N.'s 2nd law);
T is a form of force so maybe T=m*a;
centrip. acc is [tex]a_c=\frac{v^2}{R}[/tex]

where R is the radius of the circle drawn by the object in motion and "v" is the velocity.
I know from theory that

[tex]\vec v= \omega R[/tex]

if I substitute in the previous formula

[tex]a_c=\frac{v^2}{R}= \frac{\omega^2 R^2}{R}=\frac{\omega^2}{R}[/tex]

ok, now where to fit L? in place of R? why?
 
Yes the length of the rope will be the radius of the circular motion. if you drw a diagram it will be easy to convince yourself why the rope length is the radius of the circular motion. Essentially the rope will be at full extension whil the mass is travelleing at its maximum angular velocity.

EDIT: Just noticed you made a slight mistake in your derivation so [tex]a=\omega^2R[/tex]
 
ok, thanks a lot!
 

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