Circular motion x, y acceleration

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving circular motion, specifically focusing on the components of acceleration for a car traveling around a horizontal circular track. The car's speed and the angles related to its position are provided, prompting questions about the correctness of the calculated acceleration components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are examining the x and y components of acceleration at a specific point on the circular track, questioning the correctness of their signs and values. There is a focus on understanding the direction of acceleration in circular motion and the significance of units in calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on the importance of understanding the problem and the implications of the signs of the acceleration components. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationship between the acceleration vector and its direction, with multiple interpretations being considered.

Contextual Notes

Participants have noted the absence of units in the original poster's calculations and have questioned the origin of certain numerical values, indicating potential gaps in the problem setup or understanding.

aruji73
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
Can you tell me if my answers and sign are correct ?

A car is traveling around a horizontal circular track with radius r = 250.0 m at a constant speed v = 18.0 m/s as shown. The angle θA = 19.0° above the x axis, and the angle θB = 60.0° below the x axis.

What is the x component of the car’s acceleration when it is at point B = 0.527

What is the y component of the car’s acceleration when it is at point B = 1.1859

As the car passes point B, the y component of its acceleration is-increasing
 

Attachments

  • CarOnCurve2.png
    CarOnCurve2.png
    3.4 KB · Views: 719
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF;
Well you left off the units ... that's marks lost right there.
How did you come by those numbers?

Note: it is possible to get the right answer despite misunderstanding the problem... but if you understand the problem, you'll probably also be confident with your answer. s there some special reason you are concerned about your answers?
 
I am concerned if my signs are right
 
Well you left off the units ...
How did you come by those numbers?

i.e. at any point in the circle, describe in words the direction of the car's acceleration.
 
Can you tell me if my answers and sign are correct ?

A car is traveling around a horizontal circular track with radius r = 250.0 m at a constant speed v = 18.0 m/s as shown. The angle θA = 19.0° above the x axis, and the angle θB = 60.0° below the x axis.

What is the x component of the car’s acceleration when it is at point B = 1.296*cos60
What is the y component of the car’s acceleration when it is at point B = 1.296*sin60

are both the magnitudes going to have a positive value ?
 
Which direction does the acceleration vector point in circular motion at constant speed?
Draw the acceleration vector arrow on your diagram.

When you have done that, you will know if your signs are correct.

You have still not provided units.
You have still not said how you got those numbers: where did 1.296 come from?
I'm not doing this just to be pedantic or make your life difficult! What I am trying to do is direct your attention to where the answer to your question lies. The idea is that, next time, you won't have to ask.
 

Similar threads

Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
30
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
974
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K