How Do You Solve a Relative Velocities Problem with Missing Equations?

  • Thread starter Thread starter coltin.walsh
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Dynamics Relative
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
coltin.walsh
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Dynamics Help Needed! Relative velocities problem

Homework Statement



see link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55153239@N03/6199846646/


Homework Equations



Can you please help me solve this problem?
I have 3 unknowns: Va, Vb, and Thetha; but only two equations

Vb(cos(theta)) - Va(cos30) = 5.6cos70
Vb(sin(theta)) - Va(sin30) = 5.6sin70

I need a third equation?


The Attempt at a Solution



To get the two above equations, I took into account:

Vb/a = Vb - Va

Then I broke each vector into components. I end up with the two above equations. But I don't know where to go from here. I need a third equation either relating theta to Va or Vb, or a cable constraint equation, etc. I need some help.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org


Is it right to use the cable constraint equation of: 2Xa+3Xb=constant.
then taking the derivative to get: 2Va+3Vb=0? Or is that not correct?
 


How about energy conservation?

(I haven't done this problem, so this is truly just a suggestion, but I think it would lead to your answer).