- #1
Circular Motion Homework: Solving Part (B) & Understanding Centripetal Force
- Thread starter haha1234
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around understanding centripetal force in the context of circular motion, particularly focusing on the relationship between centripetal force and the weight of a vehicle at different speeds. Participants are exploring the conditions under which these forces interact and the implications of varying speeds on the forces acting on the vehicle.
Discussion Character
- Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Participants are questioning the conditions under which centripetal force equals the weight of the vehicle, particularly at maximum and minimum speeds. There is exploration of the forces acting on the vehicle, including gravity and normal force, and how these relate to centripetal acceleration.
Discussion Status
The discussion is actively exploring the implications of centripetal force exceeding weight, with some participants suggesting that this leads to the vehicle losing contact with the track. There is a recognition of the need to clarify the roles of different forces and their directions in this context.
Contextual Notes
Participants are navigating through potential misconceptions about the nature of centripetal force and its dependence on real forces acting on the vehicle, such as gravity and normal force, particularly at the top of the motion.
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xophergrunge
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haha1234 said:
Do you mean maximum? The minimum speed would be zero.
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haha1234
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xophergrunge said:
Yes.Sorry for my typo
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xophergrunge
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Okay. So, what would happen if the centripetal force became greater than the weight?
- #5
Doc Al
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What are the only forces acting on the vehicle?haha1234 said:
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haha1234
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xophergrunge said:
I don't know
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haha1234
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Doc Al said:
Centripetal force and tangential force?
- #8
Doc Al
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No, I'm talking about real forces. ("Centripetal force" is just the name given to whatever force is producing the centripetal acceleration. It's not a kind of force.)haha1234 said:
Hint: One of those forces is gravity. What's the other? (I'm only interesting in forces that act at the top of the motion.)
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haha1234
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Doc Al said:
Normal force? But I don't know how they are relevant to the maximum speed
- #10
Doc Al
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Yes!haha1234 said:
They are relevant because those two forces combine to give you the centripetal force.
What direction do those forces act? Express the centripetal force in terms of those forces.
The force of gravity cannot change, but what about the normal force?
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![DSC_0587[1].jpg](/data/attachments/49/49839-a4d1eed9ac40760c8bdcd879d06b6f6f.jpg?hash=pNHu2axAdg)
- #12
Doc Al
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Yes.haha1234 said:
Of course the normal force cannot be less than zero. What will happen is that the vehicle will leave the track if the speed is too great. The point where it is going as fast as it can and still maintain contact will be when the normal force goes to zero.
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haha1234
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Doc Al said:
Why the vehicle will leave the track when the normal force becomes zero?
Sorry for my stupidity.:shy:
- #14
Doc Al
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As long as the vehicle is pressing against the track there will be a normal force. When the normal force goes to zero, that means it is no longer pressing against the track--if it goes any faster, it begins to go flying off.haha1234 said:
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