Circular motion to projectile motion

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving circular motion transitioning to projectile motion. The scenario describes a ball on a string being swung in a vertical circle, with specific parameters provided, including tension and height. Participants are analyzing the calculations related to the ball's velocity and the time it takes to fall after the string is cut.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the ball's velocity at the bottom of the swing and the subsequent time of flight after the string is cut. There are questions regarding the correctness of the time calculated and the interpretation of the problem statement, particularly concerning the height from which the ball falls.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants questioning the validity of certain calculations and interpretations. Some have expressed uncertainty about the time value derived and the implications of the ball's position when the string is cut. There is a recognition of potential ambiguity in the problem statement itself.

Contextual Notes

There are concerns about the clarity of the problem's wording, particularly regarding the height and the conditions under which the ball is considered to be moving parallel to the ground. Participants are also noting discrepancies in unit conversions and the implications of those errors on the calculations.

ChetBarkley
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Homework Statement
A 100g ball on a 60 cm string is swung in a vertical circle about a point 200 cm above the ground. The tension in the string when the ball is at the very bottom of the circle is 5.0N. A very sharp knife is suddenly inserted when the ball is parallel to the ground to cut the string. What is the distance the ball will land after the string is cut.
Relevant Equations
T - mg = m(v^2/r)
delta y = v_y(t) + 1/2at^2
delta x = v_x(t)
So first I found the velocity of the ball at the bottom of the swing from the force equations, which I got to be 4.9 m/s and this is only in the x-direction. Then using the projectile motion for delta y I found time, which is 0.2s. Then using that time I found the delta x to be 0.98m.
I just want to make sure my work is correct and concise.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
0.2 seconds?

:welcome:

Just wonder how you calculated that
 
ChetBarkley said:
Homework Statement:: A 100g ball on a 60 cm string is swung in a vertical circle about a point 200 cm above the ground. The tension in the string when the ball is at the very bottom of the circle is 5.0N. A very sharp knife is suddenly inserted when the ball is parallel to the ground to cut the string. What is the distance the ball will land after the string is cut.
Relevant Equations:: T - mg = m(v^2/r)
delta y = v_y(t) + 1/2at^2
delta x = v_x(t)

So first I found the velocity of the ball at the bottom of the swing from the force equations, which I got to be 4.9 m/s and this is only in the x-direction. Then using the projectile motion for delta y I found time, which is 0.2s. Then using that time I found the delta x to be 0.98m.
I just want to make sure my work is correct and concise.
That's not what I got. I didn't, however, do any intermediate calculations. The ##0.2s## looks wrong. The ##4.9 \ m/s## looks right.
 
BvU said:
0.2 seconds?

:welcome:

Just wonder how you calculated that
So delta y = 0.2 and there is not velocity in the y direction once the string is cut, meaning v naught y is zero. So my equation looks like 0.2 = 0t+.5(9.8)t^2. Solving for t: t=sqrt(.2/4.9).
 
PeroK said:
That's not what I got. I didn't, however, do any intermediate calculations. The ##0.2s## looks wrong. The ##4.9 \ m/s## looks right.
So delta y = 0.2 and there is not velocity in the y direction once the string is cut, meaning v naught y is zero. So my equation looks like 0.2 = 0t+.5(9.8)t^2. Solving for t: t=sqrt(.2/4.9)
 
ChetBarkley said:
So delta y = 0.2
How do you get that?
 
ChetBarkley said:
So delta y = 0.2 and there is not velocity in the y direction once the string is cut, meaning v naught y is zero. So my equation looks like 0.2 = 0t+.5(9.8)t^2. Solving for t: t=sqrt(.2/4.9).
This statement makes no sense: "when the ball is parallel to the ground". Does it mean when the string is parallel to the ground (giving ##\Delta y=-2##) or when the ball is moving parallel to the ground (giving ##v_{0 y}=0##)? But it anyway cannot give both.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: nasu
And there are two points in the rotation when the ball moves parallel to the ground.
Badly stated problem, prof gets a C -.
 
PeroK said:
How do you get that?
It's given in the problem
 
  • #10
haruspex said:
This statement makes no sense: "when the ball is parallel to the ground". Does it mean when the string is parallel to the ground (giving ##\Delta y=-0.2##) or when the ball is moving parallel to the ground (giving ##v_{0 y}=0##)? But it anyway cannot give both.
It's when the ball is moving when parallel to the ground, giving ##v_{0 y}=0##.
 
  • #11
ChetBarkley said:
It's when the ball is moving when parallel to the ground, giving ##v_{0 y}=0##.
But not ##\Delta y=-0.2##. Reread the question.
 
  • #12
ChetBarkley said:
So delta y = 0.2
Make a sketch. With a center at 2 m and a radius of 0.6 m, the lowest point is at 1.4 m. If it lands on the ground (also not stated in the prolem), how can you possibly 'calculate' a ##\Delta y## of 0.2 m ?

##\ ##
 
  • #13
:wink:
BvU said:
the lowest point is at 1.4 m
The highest is at 2.6m. Which one is desired? C-
 
  • #14
BvU said:
Make a sketch. With a center at 2 m and a radius of 0.6 m, the lowest point is at 1.4 m. If it lands on the ground (also not stated in the prolem), how can you possibly 'calculate' a ##\Delta y## of 0.2 m ?
I imagine the idea was that ##200 \ cm = 0.2 \ m##.
 
  • #15
PeroK said:
I imagine the idea was that ##200 \ cm = 0.2 \ m##.
But not such a good idea as 200cm=2m.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: PeroK
  • #16
I must admit I always have to do a mental check to avoid confusing ##cm## and ##mm##.
 
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: Tom.G
  • #17
PeroK said:
I must admit I always have to do a mental check to avoid confusing ##cm## and ##mm##.
Try furlongs and inches ...?:)

## \ ##
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: hutchphd
  • #18
BvU said:
Try furlongs and inches ...?:)

## \ ##
That's no problem because they are all different! Inches, feet, yards and miles are all distinct.
 
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: BvU
  • #19
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jbriggs444

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
905
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
40
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
30
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K