Direction of acceleration in pendulum bob?

AI Thread Summary
In a simple pendulum, the acceleration of the mass M is influenced by gravitational forces and tension in the string. As the pendulum swings from left to right, the acceleration vector always points towards the center of the circular path. The gravitational force can be decomposed into vertical and horizontal components, with mgsin(theta) contributing to the acceleration. The tension in the wire balances the vertical component of the gravitational force, ensuring the acceleration direction remains consistent. Overall, the acceleration direction at various positions can be represented with a sequence based on these principles.
SUROJL
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
A simple pendulum consists of a mass M tied to a string and swings freely
starting from rest at the position on the left in the figure below.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/695/screenshot20110922at611.png/

Select the vectors which best represent the acceleration of mass M at the five
positions labeled 1,2,3,4,5 as the mass
swings from left to right. (If for position 1 the
acceleration is A, and for positons 2,3,4,5 it
is B, enter ABBBB.


Attempts
The mg component which is downward is split-ted into vertical and horizontal component. Tension is balanced by mgcos(theta) and mgsin(theta) produces acceleration in the bob of pendulum
 
Physics news on Phys.org
the acceleration "should" always point toward the center. This is due to the tension in the wire.

*still, I'd wait for another reply to confirm this.
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Foucault Pendulum at the North Pole
Replies
9
Views
2K
Simulating a Rotary Inverted Pendulum in Python
Replies
15
Views
1K
Differential Equation for a Pendulum
Replies
21
Views
2K
Pendulum time at any given angel θ, 0<=θ<=π/2
Replies
6
Views
2K
How to parametrize motion of a pendulum in terms of Cartesian coordinates?
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Lagrangian for pendulum
Replies
11
Views
2K
Is the Angular Momentum of a Pendulum Conserved?
Replies
5
Views
6K
How is EMF induced in a pendulum under the influence of Earth's magnetic field?
Replies
8
Views
5K
How Does a Spring Impact the Angular Frequency of a Pendulum?
Replies
15
Views
6K
Compound physical pendulum - max velocity
Replies
19
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top