FBD of centripetal acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around creating a free body diagram (FBD) for an object undergoing circular motion while being twirled on a string. The subject area includes concepts of forces, centripetal acceleration, and free body diagrams in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to identify the forces acting on the object, specifically gravity and tension, and questions the equations related to these forces, including whether the forces are balanced during motion. Some participants seek clarification on the nature of the motion (horizontal vs. vertical) and the implications of the teacher's request regarding the acceleration due to gravity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring the forces involved in the scenario and clarifying the setup. Guidance has been offered regarding the identification of forces, and there is an ongoing inquiry into the specifics of the motion and the relationships between the forces.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted typo regarding the forces acting on the object, and participants are clarifying whether the motion is horizontal or vertical, which may influence the analysis of forces and acceleration.

loopsnhoops
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Homework Statement



I need to make a free body diagram of an object being twirled around on a string in a circular motion. What forces are acting on it and what are there equations? For example I know that the force of gravity is acting on the string so I am showing the Fg = mg equation on my FBD. I need to know the equation for the tension or centripetal force? Is it T = mv^2/r?

Edit: Are the forces balanced when it is moving?
 
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Edit 2: What does my teacher mean when he says he wants me to find the acceleration due to gravity? Does it mean find the centripetal acceleration?
 
loopsnhoops said:

Homework Statement



I need to make a free body diagram of an object being twirled around on a string in a circular motion. What forces are acting on it and what are there equations? For example I know that the force of gravity is acting on the string so I am showing the Fg = mg equation on my FBD. I need to know the equation for the tension or centripetal force? Is it T = mv^2/r?

Edit: Are the forces balanced when it is moving?

I trust it was a typo when you said the "force of gravity on the string". Sure gravity will act on the string, but you were after forces on the object.

The forces acting are Gravity and Tension.

Is this object being twirled in a vertical or horizontal circle?
 
horizontal and it was a typo
 
loopsnhoops said:
horizontal and it was a typo

The only two forces acting are the field force [gravity] and the contact force [string, by tension]. Those two add [as vectors] to yield the net force - the centripetal force, which will be horizontal.
 

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