Explaining Why Sand Loses Contact with Cone During Oscillation

  • Thread starter Thread starter mystreet123
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Oscillation Shm
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the mechanics of sand losing contact with a cone during vertical oscillation. As the amplitude of the cone's oscillation increases, the contact force acting on the sand decreases until it reaches zero, causing the sand to lose contact. The equation provided, "Weight - contact force = m(w^2)x," is clarified, emphasizing that the upward force associated with oscillation must balance the downward weight of the sand. Participants discuss the direction of forces and the concept of restoring force in harmonic motion, ultimately reaching an understanding of the dynamics involved. The conversation highlights the importance of accurately visualizing forces in oscillatory systems.
mystreet123
Messages
15
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Some sand is sprinkled onto the cone. The sand oscillates vertically with the frequency of the cone. The amplitude of oscillation of the cone is increased.
At a particular amplitude of oscillation the sand begins to lose contact with the cone.
By considering the forces acting on a grain of sand, explain why this happens.

Homework Equations


From mark scheme it says "Weight - contact force = m(w^2)x So as x increases, contact force decreases, sand loses contact with cone when contact force = 0"

But I don't understand why it is m(w^2)x, not -m(w^2)x? as I thought they take upward as negative and losing contact only happens at maximum upward displacement position.

The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
mystreet123 said:
From mark scheme it says "Weight - contact force = m(w^2)x So as x increases, contact force decreases, sand loses contact with cone when contact force = 0"

But I don't understand why it is m(w^2)x, not -m(w^2)x? as I thought they take upward as negative and losing contact only happens at maximum upward displacement position.

pl. make out a diagram of oscillations and then mark out the forces acting on sand particle ;perhaps then you can gigure out the contact forces and required centrepetal/centrifugal force .
 
drvrm said:
pl. make out a diagram of oscillations and then mark out the forces acting on sand particle ;perhaps then you can gigure out the contact forces and required centrepetal/centrifugal force .
Yes I did!
 
mystreet123 said:
Yes I did!
then show it as attachment so that we can get to your problem
 
drvrm said:
then show it as attachment so that we can get to your problem
_k8xiwHxV0bG9Qm2Ts8oD_m3dnq_2E2pyOJ2Xu78HfRZMMWe_zcAIIcCDmaJA?width=660&height=326&cropmode=none.jpg
 
Last edited:
@mystreet123
well the attachment fails to open -perhaps a template will be better so that it can easily open.
 
drvrm said:
@mystreet123
well the attachment fails to open -perhaps a template will be better so that it can easily open.
Can you open it now?
 
mystreet123 said:
Can you open it now?

yes, thanks
 
at some amplitude of oscillations of the cone the sand particles leaves the contact with surface

mystreet123 said:
At a particular amplitude of oscillation the sand begins to lose contact with the cone.

mystreet123 said:
From mark scheme it says "Weight - contact force = m(w^2)x S

suppose N is the contact force so N= mg - mw^2.x at any displacement x so when contact force is zero the wt will be balanced by the term on the right hand ;
as i feel mg is down ward so mw^2 .x shoukd be upward.

or think in terms of F(harmonic osc.) = F(Weight) -N
what is wrong in the above picture of forces?
 
  • #10
drvrm said:
at some amplitude of oscillations of the cone the sand particles leaves the contact with surfacesuppose N is the contact force so N= mg - mw^2.x at any displacement x so when contact force is zero the wt will be balanced by the term on the right hand ;
as i feel mg is down ward so mw^2 .x shoukd be upward.
what is wrong in the above picture of forces?
But why I found N-mg = mw^2.x at highest position? if we take upward positive

Because when I use this formula, as x increases, N also increases, instead of becoming zero
 
  • #11
mystreet123 said:
mw^2.x at highest position?

in a harmonic oscillation the force which is always a restoring force acts opposite to the displacement

F(osc)= -constantx displacement
if displacement is +ve - force will be negative and just vice-versa
if displacement from mean position is negative then force will be in opposite direction.
will this clarify your picture?
 
  • Like
Likes mystreet123
  • #12
drvrm said:
in a harmonic oscillation the force which is always a restoring force acts opposite to the displacement

F(osc)= -constantx displacement
if displacement is +ve - force will be negative and just vice-versa
if displacement from mean position is negative then force will be in opposite direction.
will this clarify your picture?
Yes understood thanks!
 
  • #13
mystreet123 said:
Yes understood thanks!

in physics forum if you give thanks then just like the post
we do not write explicitly
 
Back
Top