How far away from its location when the string breaks

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving a 4-kg rock tied to a string, which breaks under a tension of 514 N while being twirled in a horizontal circle with a radius of 1.1 m. The user attempts to calculate how far the rock will fall when the string breaks, using the equations F=mv²/r for tension and y=-0.5gt² for vertical motion. Despite multiple attempts yielding results between 6.9 m and 7.1 m, the user struggles with the correct application of forces acting on the rock, particularly the assumption that tension is the only force at play. Clarification is needed on calculating the linear speed and time to fall accurately.

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riggi91
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Homework Statement


A 4-kg rock is tied to the end of a string and twirled overhead, 1.6 m above the ground, in a 1.1-m radius, horizontal circle. The string is known to break if its tension reaches a value of 514 N. The rock it rotated faster and faster until the string breaks. How far away from its location when the string breaks will the rock hit the ground? Your answer should be given in meters, to the nearest centimeter.

Homework Equations


F=mv^2/r
y=-.5gt^2
x=vxo(t)

The Attempt at a Solution



What I did was I found V first by doing sqrt(f*r/m)
Then I found t by doing sqrt(2y/g)
then I multiplied vt.

I've tried this three times and I keep getting this answer wrong. On my last attempts I've been getting between 6.9m and 7.1m based on the configuration of the numbers as they change slightly each time I attempt the problem.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks
 
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I think you should go into more detail about your reasoning.
However, the thing that jumps out at me is that you appear to have assumed that the tension in the string is the only force on the rock while it is being twirled around the circle.
i.e. in
What I did was I found V first by doing sqrt(f*r/m)
How did you find "f"?
 
Last edited:
One seems to have the appropriate equations, but the circular trajectory of the rock is horizontal, not necessarily the string.

What are the time to fall and the linear speed at which the string breaks?
 

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