Conceptual Uniform Circular motion problem?

AI Thread Summary
To successfully jump onto a spinning merry-go-round without falling, the man should lean towards the center to align with the radial acceleration. This inward lean helps maintain balance and provides the necessary radial force to stay in a circular trajectory. The discussion emphasizes the importance of achieving a tangential velocity to avoid sudden acceleration in a tangential direction. Experimenting with a similar setup can provide practical insights into this concept. Understanding the dynamics of uniform circular motion is crucial for solving such problems effectively.
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Homework Statement


This isn't a homework problem, but I was just thinking of the following question:

Suppose that a merry go round spins with a constant speed (so its radially accelerating towards the center), and a man want to jump onto the merry go-round while its spinning. In what way should the man get on the marry go round so he won't fall?

Homework Equations


F=ma;
a=v^2/r

The Attempt at a Solution



My guess is that when he gets on the merry go round, he should lean towards the center because that's how the merry go round is accelerating. Is that correct? Is there a way to solve this problem using F=ma?[/B]
 
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He needs a tangential velocity to not be suddenly accelerated in a tangential direction.

He needs a radial force to get/keep him in a circular trajectory. So leaning inwards seems the best thing to do.

Find a merry go round (or something similar in a play yard) and experiment.

[edit] "(so its radially accelerating towards the center)" evokes a wrong image.
 
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