Deriving C=mv2/r and a=v2/r: Mass, Gravity & Acceleration

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The discussion centers on deriving the equations for centripetal acceleration, specifically a = v²/r, and understanding why mass cancels out in the context of centripetal force. When centripetal acceleration is expressed as a percentage of weight, the equation 0.6mg = m(v²/r) shows that mass (m) cancels on both sides, indicating that the centripetal force depends only on velocity and radius, not mass. The derivation of v²/r involves understanding tangential velocity and angular velocity, leading to the conclusion that centripetal acceleration is independent of mass. The final point clarifies that the power of 0.5 in the equations relates to calculating the square root when determining velocity or angular velocity.
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I don't know if this is the right equation but in a question where it sakes the acceleration is 60%of the cars weight. Why does the mass cancel each other out so in the end you don't need to know the mass?

Sorry I am typin this on my phone so I am sorry for the spelling errors


Thanks

Edit: some won understand what I mean. When they say the acceration is a certain percentage of the weight. Why do you multiply it but gravity. Essestially using the formula v2/r

Can someone derive it for me. How does v2/r come about? How is there mass in the first place and why do you multiply it with the gravity constant of earth?
 
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I'm not entirely sure what you're asking..
From what I can gather, you want to know how to derive a=v2/r and why weight is equal to mg, correct?
 
fcb said:
I don't know if this is the right equation but in a question where it sakes the acceleration is 60%of the cars weight. Why does the mass cancel each other out so in the end you don't need to know the mass?

Sorry I am typin this on my phone so I am sorry for the spelling errors


Thanks

Edit: some won understand what I mean. When they say the acceration is a certain percentage of the weight. Why do you multiply it but gravity. Essestially using the formula v2/r

Can someone derive it for me. How does v2/r come about? How is there mass in the first place and why do you multiply it with the gravity constant of earth?

Let's start with where they get V2/r from.
If you want to know the distance around some part of a circle given an angle theta you can find it by using S = theta*r, take the derivative of each side to get the tangential velocity going around the circle:

dS/dt = (dtheta/dt)*r = V​
and dtheta/dt is the angular velocity, w. So,

V = w*r​
Now you need units of acceleration on each side, this will be the centripetal acceleration that we find having units of m/s2, so square each side and divide by r yielding:

V2/r = w2r​
Now V2/r has units of m2/m*s2 = m/s2, which are the correct units. So the centripetal acceleration is given by two formulas, those being:

V2/r = w2r​

OK, now you have been given the centripetal acceleration as 60% of the cars weight so the centripetal force acting on the car which acts to pull it inward like a satellite orbiting the Earth must be: 0.6mg, now set that equal to the centripetal acceleration times the mass of the car and you should be all set:

0.6mg = m*V2/r​
This is where the mass cancels on each side. How much of a centripetal force there is acting on a rotating body is independent of the mass of that body and is dependent only on the tangential speed it is moving at and the distance from the origin of the circle it travels along. So,


(5.88*r)0.5 = V​
Tangential Velocity of Car
where 5.88 = 0.6*g = 0.6*9.8 = 5.88

Or,

0.6mg = m*w2r​
5.88 = w2r
(5.88/r)0.5 = w​
The angular velocity of the car

So if you need the tangential velocity of the car use:
(5.88*r)0.5 = V​
Or if you need the angular velocity (how many times per second does the car make a complete circle) then use:
(5.88/r)0.5 = w​

Hope this helps. :smile:
Craig
 
clombard1973 said:
Let's start with where they get V2/r from.
If you want to know the distance around some part of a circle given an angle theta you can find it by using S = theta*r, take the derivative of each side to get the tangential velocity going around the circle:

dS/dt = (dtheta/dt)*r = V​
and dtheta/dt is the angular velocity, w. So,

V = w*r​
Now you need units of acceleration on each side, this will be the centripetal acceleration that we find having units of m/s2, so square each side and divide by r yielding:

V2/r = w2r​
Now V2/r has units of m2/m*s2 = m/s2, which are the correct units. So the centripetal acceleration is given by two formulas, those being:

V2/r = w2r​

OK, now you have been given the centripetal acceleration as 60% of the cars weight so the centripetal force acting on the car which acts to pull it inward like a satellite orbiting the Earth must be: 0.6mg, now set that equal to the centripetal acceleration times the mass of the car and you should be all set:

0.6mg = m*V2/r​
This is where the mass cancels on each side. How much of a centripetal force there is acting on a rotating body is independent of the mass of that body and is dependent only on the tangential speed it is moving at and the distance from the origin of the circle it travels along. So,


(5.88*r)0.5 = V​
Tangential Velocity of Car
where 5.88 = 0.6*g = 0.6*9.8 = 5.88

Or,

0.6mg = m*w2r​
5.88 = w2r
(5.88/r)0.5 = w​
The angular velocity of the car

So if you need the tangential velocity of the car use:
(5.88*r)0.5 = V​
Or if you need the angular velocity (how many times per second does the car make a complete circle) then use:
(5.88/r)0.5 = w​

Hope this helps. :smile:
Craig

That was so helpful. Honestly,Thanks so much
 
Quick question. Why is it to the power of 0.5??
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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