JulienB
- 408
- 12
@ehild Still no canceling out... I really don't see it. :/ (I wrote only the top line in the attached file because it's so long)
The discussion focuses on calculating the speed, normal, and tangential components of acceleration for a point mass moving in an elliptical path defined by the equations x = a cos(ωt) and y = b sin(ωt). Participants identified errors in the initial calculations, particularly in the velocity magnitude and the derivation of the tangential and normal acceleration components. The correct expressions involve using the relationships between velocity and acceleration vectors, specifically the formulas for tangential acceleration (a_T) and normal acceleration (a_N) derived from vector operations. The final consensus emphasizes the importance of correctly applying vector calculus to obtain accurate results.
PREREQUISITESStudents and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and motion analysis, as well as anyone interested in the mathematical modeling of physical systems involving elliptical paths.