Circular Motion: Net Force, Speed & Direction at Top - M,L,g

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a mass M attached to a string of length L, moving in a vertical circular path. Participants are tasked with finding the magnitude and direction of the net force and the speed of the mass at the top of the circular motion, expressed in terms of M, L, and g.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between tension, weight, and net force at the top of the circular path. Questions arise regarding the expression of net force in terms of mass, gravitational acceleration, and length, while some participants attempt to derive the speed of the mass.

Discussion Status

There is a mix of interpretations regarding the net force and its direction. Some participants suggest that the net force is directed towards the center of the circle, while others confirm this direction. A potential expression for speed has been proposed, but there is no explicit consensus on the final formulations or interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are constrained by the requirement to express their answers solely in terms of M, L, and g, leading to discussions about the implications of this constraint on their calculations.

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A mass M attached to a string of length L moves in a circle in a vertical plane.AT the top of the circular path, the tension in the string is twice the weight of the ball.
--find magnitude and direct of Net force and speed of the ball at the top.Express aswer in term of M,L,g

net force= T-mg = mv^2/L
2mg-mg = mv^2L
F=Square root gL

F=mv^2/L
Square root gL=mv^2L
Square root of( (L*square root Lg)/m )
 
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They want the magnitude and direction of the net force in terms in terms of m, g and L... so v shouldn't be in your answer...

When the ball is at the top of the loop T and mg are in the same direction:

Fnet = T + mg = mv^2/L

so what is Fnet in terms of m and g... what is the direction of Fnet. What is v in terms of m, g and L...
 
Fnet = T + mg
2mg+mg=3mg , the direction for Fnet is toward the center? not sure

3mg=mv^2/L
L3mg=mv^2 m cancel
v= Square root of 3Lg, the direction for velocity is horizontal and tangentially to the circle, to the right
 
yes, v=sqrt(3Lg) looks right to me. Yes, direction of Fnet is towards the center... in other words downwards since the mass is at the top of the circular path.
 

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