Undergrad Description of physical system help

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around describing components of a Rube Goldberg machine, specifically two vertical poles with axles. The user is uncertain whether to classify these components as levers, latches, hinges, or pendulums, which hinders their ability to apply relevant physics formulas for energy transfer, velocity, and force. Based on the action and usage of the components, they are identified as levers due to their pivot point, applied force, and resultant force. The user seeks guidance on how to accurately describe these items and find appropriate formulas. Clarity in terminology is essential for effective quantitative analysis of the system.
Edemardil
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
This is not homework related and I am having some trouble with describing a part of a system. It is a Rube Goldberg machine. I have two vertical "levers" with axles in the middle of them. I'll post photos. I am really having trouble describing them more or less because I don't know what a good description of the objects them selves are. Are they levers? Latches? Hinges? Pendulums? This is keeping me from really describing them quantitatively because I am having trouble finding the right formulas for transferring energy, velocity, force all that, through that part.

Could someone help me or vaguely lead me to a direction to look for both items?

It is the yellow vertical poles that I am talking about.

Link to images: https://imgur.com/a/WZ04zCR

0uLMTAM


2Oylsy7
 
Physics news on Phys.org
From their action/usage, 'lever' would be the correct term.

Reasoning:
They have a point about which they pivot, an applied force and distance, and a resultant force and distance.

Cheers,
Tom
 

Thread 'Does acceleration affect impact energy vs constant velocity?'

I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...
View full post »

Similar threads

How to calculate the stiffness of a spring wire cantilever beam?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad What's the physics description of "existence" ?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Understanding Energy States in Complex Systems
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
18K
Building a Physics Machine: 6 Concepts, 12 Units
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Undergrad What are the fundamental principles of physics that apply universally?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Intro Physics Readable paper version of Feynman's Physics textbooks
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
How many variables to describe a system?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Self-descriptive Physical Object
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
Other Math Help for Physics Undergrad: Advice Needed
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Three questions regarding QG theories
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K