Dynamics of a point mass in circular motion

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
4 replies · 2K views
Krzysiek Sam

Homework Statement


Dear All,

I'm having a hard time solving the following problem:
upload_2017-8-19_16-42-8.png

A point of mass is moving on a circular plane (Oxy), where the circle's formula is:
upload_2017-8-19_16-42-28.png


The force acting on mass "m" is defined as:
upload_2017-8-19_16-43-7.png


We're looking for velocity of point "m" in position (1,1) =V1, and in position (0,2)=V2, given the velocity in position (0,0)=V0.

Homework Equations


(as above)

The Attempt at a Solution


m*x''=-k*x*y2
m*y''=-k*y*x2

x = r*cos(φ)
y=1+r*sin(φ)

φ = ω*t
x'= -r*ω*sin(ωt)
x''= -r*ω2*cos(ωt)

y'= r*ω*cos(ωt)
y''= -r*ω2*sin(ωt)

This leads me to a second order differential equation which I'm not able to solve.

----------------
Thank you in advance for any help!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello, and welcome to PF!
Krzysiek Sam said:
φ = ω*t
Why would ##\phi## increase proportionally to time?

Another approach: Are you familiar with the concept of a "conservative force" and the potential energy associated with a conservative force?

EDIT: I'm not completely clear on the setup of the problem. Is the particle confined to move on the circle? Can we think of it as a bead sliding on a circular wire with no friction, but with an applied force as given?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Krzysiek Sam
TSny said:
Hello, and welcome to PF!
Why would ##\phi## increase proportionally to time?

Another approach: Are you familiar with the concept of a "conservative force" and the potential energy associated with a conservative force?

EDIT: I'm not completely clear on the setup of the problem. Is the particle confined to move on the circle? Can we think of it as a bead sliding on a circular wire with no friction, but with an applied force as given?
Hello,
1. phi increases, as m moves around the circle, phi[rad] = omega[rad/s]*t

2. how would you approach this with respect to conservative force?

3. yes, it's confined to move on the edge of the circle with radius r=1, yes the problem considers no friction, only forces Fx and Fy.

Thanks in advance for your help.
KS
 
Krzysiek Sam said:
1. phi increases, as m moves around the circle, phi[rad] = omega[rad/s]*t
Yes, ##\phi## increases as the mass moves around the circle. But, ##\phi## doesn't necessarily increase at a constant rate. So, you cannot assume ##\phi = \omega t## for some constant ##\omega##.

2. how would you approach this with respect to conservative force?
First, I would check to see if the given force is conservative. Have you learned how to do that?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Krzysiek Sam
TSny said:
Yes, ##\phi## increases as the mass moves around the circle. But, ##\phi## doesn't necessarily increase at a constant rate. So, you cannot assume ##\phi = \omega t## for some constant ##\omega##.

First, I would check to see if the given force is conservative. Have you learned how to do that?

Yes, this is the right approach, thank you for your suggestion!
Have a nice day!