How Do Rotating Reference Frames Affect Forces on a Merry-Go-Round?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the effects of rotating reference frames on forces experienced by a squirrel on a spinning merry-go-round. The angular velocity of the merry-go-round is given as 1 radian per second, and the squirrel's mass and position are specified. The participants address the calculations for the Coriolis and centrifugal pseudo-forces, emphasizing the need to correctly identify the squirrel's velocity vector for accurate results. Clarification is sought regarding the direction of the centrifugal force, particularly the significance of the negative sign in its equation. Understanding these forces is crucial for analyzing motion in rotating systems.
jimmy.dude
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Looking down from a stationary tree branch, a merry-go-round spins in a counterclockwise
direction with an angular velocity of 1 radian per second. a squirrel of mass 0.2 kg sits on the outer rim of the merry-go-round, at a radius of 2.0 meters.

a) what is the magnitude and direction of the vector omega

b) What is the magnitude and direction of the Coriolis pseudo-force as felt by the squirrel?
(possible equation: -2m(omega x v_r)

c)What is the magnitude and direction of the centrifugal pseudo-force as felt by the squirrel?
(possible equation: -m(omegax(omegaxr_r)

I have no idea where to start!
 
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wrong
 
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your answer to part a is correct, but for part b,it is not.

For part b, your equation is OK, but what is vr of the squirrel?

For part c, your magnitude is correct, but you need to explain what is meant by the minus sign regarding the direction of the pseudo centrifugal force.
 

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