How Do You Calculate the Speed of a Ball in Rotational Motion?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a ball in rotational motion, specifically involving a ball tied to a cord and revolving in a horizontal plane while making an angle with the vertical. The problem includes determining the ball's speed and the maximum speed based on tension constraints.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking down the tension force into vertical and horizontal components to relate them to the ball's speed. There are attempts to derive equations based on these components, and questions arise regarding the correct interpretation of the angle and maximum tension.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem using force components, while others are exploring the implications of different angles and tension values. There is an ongoing examination of the calculations related to maximum speed, with no explicit consensus reached on the correct method.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a physics assignment, which may impose specific requirements on how to approach the problem. There is also a noted discrepancy regarding the angle of the cord when maximum tension is applied.

crispy_nine
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Hey, I've puzzled my puzzler sore on this question for my physics assignment:

A 0.50-kg ball that is tied to the end of a 1.5-m light cord is revolved in a horizontal plane with the cord making a 30° angle with the vertical. (a) Determine the ball’s speed. (b) If the cord can withstand a maximum tension of 9.8 N, what is the highest speed at which the ball can move?

If anyone could help me out that would be awesome.
Cheers,
Chris
 
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Let Ft = force of tension Fg = weight Fnet = net centripetal force

The key is to break the tension force into vertical and horizontal components. The vertical component will be equal to the weight. The horizontal component will be equal to the net centripetal force. If you write an equation for each of these, and then divide the second one by the first one you get:
tan 30 = v^2 / (rg) where r = 1.5 m sin 30

Does that help?
 
Thanks a lot, I understand how to find the velocity, but I'm still doing something wrong to get the max possible V if max T can be 9.8N. Ty = mg= 4.9N. What I'm doing to find max V is finding max Tx...so sqrrt(9.8^2 - 4.9^2) = 8.49N = (m X v^2)/ 1.5msin30. This is apparently wrong...the correct answer is 4.7m/s.
 
When the tension is 9.8N and the weight is 4.9N, the angle between srting and the vertical is not 30 degree but 60 degree. Try it again.
 
Last edited:

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