Forces Around a Cone-Shaped Object

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the forces acting on a cone-shaped object surrounded by repulsive balls. Participants explore the dynamics of these forces, the geometry involved, and the implications for modeling the system, particularly in relation to pressure and equilibrium conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the forces exerted by the balls on the cone are unequal, proposing that the repulsive forces from the balls surrounding the cone lead to a net force condition.
  • Another participant argues that if there were a net force, the cone would move through the balls, indicating that the forces must balance out.
  • There is a discussion about the orientation of forces, with one participant noting that the force between a ball and the cone acts perpendicular to the cone's surface.
  • One participant visualizes the balls as a protective shield around the cone, suggesting that their arrangement could affect the force distribution on the cone.
  • Another participant questions the feasibility of the balls not applying pressure to the cone, suggesting that they would rearrange in three dimensions, affecting the force dynamics.
  • A participant mentions using Comsol to simulate the scenario and is considering a static model to simplify the analysis of forces acting on the cone.
  • One participant reflects on the implications of the circular shape of the balls and how it might affect the application of Archimedes' principle in this context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the forces acting on the cone and whether the system can achieve equilibrium. There is no consensus on how the forces balance or the implications for Archimedes' principle, indicating ongoing debate and exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their models, including assumptions about the arrangement of the balls and the effects of their shapes on force distribution. The discussion highlights unresolved mathematical steps and the complexity of modeling the interactions in three dimensions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying fluid dynamics, force interactions in geometrical contexts, or individuals looking to model complex physical systems using simulation tools like Comsol.

Gh778
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I'm drawing a cone (black color) inside balls. Balls are pressured from external force, but the pressure is fixed. Balls repuls themselves and cone repuls balls too. The cut view of cone (bot) showing part of balls all around cone, arrows are forces all around balls. For me F1>F2, because like balls are around cone they repuls themselves more than the left side. How can I draw correctly the forces for have 0 ?
 

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If there was a net force the object would propel itself along, moving through the sea of balls without needing fuel. It's not going to happen.

The force between a ball and the cone acts perpendicular to the surface of the cone. So although the surface of the cone is larger than the flat end the horizontal component is the same.
 

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Sure, it's not moving alone in water :approve: I'm ok with the difference of surface too. I show balls like a circular dam that prevent force to apply on cone's surface, like a protective shield (drawing). When cone is moving, balls move closer from each other for "build" a "circle" (following the surface) so the external force can apply all the force ?

In the drawing, I don't draw all balls, I sould but maybe there is a simple explanation.
 

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Sorry. I don't understand what you are asking.
 
The last view is a cutting view (a slice of cone). The cone in the center must receive force from balls. Imagine balls which repuls themselves and cone repuls balls. For receive the pressure balls will be like the last view, but like the shape of balls is a circle all the pressure can be apply ? If I apply a pressure on a sphere, the object inside can't receive the pressure (without detroy sphere).
 
So is this the situation? The balls are packed together tightly so they cannot apply pressure on the cone in the middle?

I think that's unlikely to occur. The balls will rearrange themselves in 3D. I have no idea how to model that.

It's possible that fewer balls might touch the cone side compared to the flat side - but there is no reason why the force applied by each ball has to be the same.
 

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Yes, this is the situation, but balls are not necessary in contact with cone and with others balls if repulsive force is big compared to the "pressure". I'm trying to simulate with Comsol and say how are balls in 3D.
 
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While awaiting the good model for Comsol, I'm thinking with a static problem that it's easier to find my error. Put a cone in a container with a lot of compressible balls. Gravity is like drawing. Choose diameter of balls for have an integer nomber of balls in each layer, like that it's more easy for have sum of forces, fig2. For me the force F2 that come from others balls in circular shape (fig3) change the sum of force for each ball (in contact with cone) and give a up force. Each layer of balls can be separate with a sheet, like that the study is only one layer. The problem exist only with the ball in contact with cone, for others balls I agree sum of forces is 0 (apart weight). Maybe if container is a cone too, it's easier for have sum of forces ?

where I'm wrong ?
 

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I understood my error, due to the circular shape of balls: balls want to move up and the cone want to move down. Sum of force is zero. But, in this case if density of cone is the same density than balls, this system don't respect Archimède's principle ? The shape change the Archimède's principle ?
 

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