Circular Motion - particle in a bowl

AI Thread Summary
A particle of mass 0.3 kg moves with an angular velocity of 10 rad/s in a smooth hemispherical bowl, prompting a discussion on calculating the reaction force and the bowl's radius. The centripetal force acting on the particle is determined to be 6 N, which is the only component of the reaction force due to the absence of friction. The reaction force must be resolved into vertical and horizontal components, leading to the equations Rcos(theta) = 6 N and Rsin(theta) = 3 N. By analyzing these components, the angle theta is found to be approximately 26 degrees, allowing for the calculation of the bowl's radius using the relationship cos(theta) = 20/radius. The discussion concludes with confirmation that the approach and calculations are correct.
Thanuka
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For the above problem i got the answer. But i got another question

I really apprecaite if anyone can give an answer for this question
This is the question

A particle of mass 0.3kg moves with an angular velocity of 10rad per second in a horizontal circle 20cm inside a smooth hemispherical bowl. FInd the reaction of the bowl on the particle and the radius of the bowl.

Here i found the centripetal of acting on the object
F=0.3*10^2*20/100
F=6N

Is this the reaction?
After this i don't know how to find the radius
 
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You found the centripetal force acting on the particle. That's only one component of the reaction force.

Draw a diagram of the particle showing all the forces acting on it. Hint: What can you deduce from the fact that the bowl is smooth?
 
ohhh yes if it is smooth centripetal force is the only componant of the reaction force as there is no friction
But how can i find the radius of the bowl??
 
Thanuka said:
ohhh yes if it is smooth centripetal force is the only componant of the reaction force as there is no friction
True, there is no friction, but that does not mean that the reaction force is horizontal. Hint: Consider the vertical forces acting on the particle.
But how can i find the radius of the bowl??
First find the direction of the reaction force, then use some trig.
 
I think the centripetal force we found should be normal to the inner surface of the bowl
as centripetal acceleration always goes through the center of the circle ,,,i got a triangle which one side is 20cm and its hypotenus is the centripetal force which is 6N
After that i got stucked..
 
ohh sorry its not the centripetal acceleration its the centriprtal force that goes through the center of the bowl
 
Thanuka said:
I think the centripetal force we found should be normal to the inner surface of the bowl
as centripetal acceleration always goes through the center of the circle
But the circle is horizontal, thus the centripetal force and acceleration will be horizontal.

The force that the bowl exerts on the particle is normal to the surface of the bowl. What component of that force equals the centripetal force?
 
I think we have to resolve the normal reaction force exert by the bowl on the particle like "Rcos theta"
then it is equal to the 6N which is centripetal force
I don't know ,,,is it right??
 
Good. Now analyze the vertical components.
 
  • #10
i think i got now
Rcos theta= 6N as centripetal force is 6N
Rsin theta = 3N as mass of the particle is 0.3kg
therefore:
tan theta = 1/2
theta = 26 deg and 34 mintues
then
from the triangle
cos theta =20/radius
we know theta therefore we can find cos theta
cos theta = 0.8954
0.8954 = 20/radius
radius= 20/0.8954
By solving this you can get the length of radius
I hope this is right
Is it?
 
  • #11
I didn't check your calculations, but that's exactly the right idea. Good!
 
  • #12
thank you for your help
I appreaciate it
 
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