How to find acceleration without mass?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of finding acceleration without explicitly using mass in the calculations, particularly in the context of an object on a slope. Participants explore different approaches and equations related to this topic, including the implications of friction and gravitational forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for clarification on how to find acceleration without mass, indicating a general understanding that mass can be canceled in certain equations.
  • Another participant suggests that the question lacks specificity and encourages the poster to provide more context for a meaningful response.
  • A participant proposes differentiating velocity with respect to time as a method to find acceleration, although this is met with confusion regarding the absence of time in the problem.
  • One participant outlines a method involving a free body diagram, leading to the equation a = g sin(theta) - mu*g cos(theta), suggesting that mass can be canceled out in this context.
  • Another participant mentions the implications of Einstein's Equivalence Principle, noting that all masses accelerate at "g" at the Earth's surface, which adds a layer of complexity to the discussion.
  • A different perspective is introduced, discussing gravitational attraction and providing the formula F = (G.m1.m2)/d², leading to a derivation of acceleration in terms of gravitational forces, which may not directly relate to the original question about slopes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and approaches to the problem, with no clear consensus on the best method to find acceleration without mass. Multiple competing views and interpretations of the problem remain evident throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific conditions such as the angle of the slope and the coefficient of friction, while others introduce concepts like gravitational attraction that may not directly apply to the original question. The discussion lacks clarity on the assumptions and definitions being used.

trollphysics
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Can someone explain to me how it is done? I know you cancel the m's out in a formula but how?
 
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Welcome to PF.

Your question is too vague for anyone to give a meaningful answer. If there is a specific context in which you need to know how to solve for acceleration, by all means post it.
 
differientiate velocity with time?
 
cepheid said:
Welcome to PF.

Your question is too vague for anyone to give a meaningful answer. If there is a specific context in which you need to know how to solve for acceleration, by all means post it.
no i mean like on a slope. My teacher said that you don't need mass if you have M = mu. So on a 45 degree angle ramp. The delta x would be 30m. Then you would need you can cancel out the m's in a equation.
quietrain said:
differientiate velocity with time?
no time. Just are given angle, delta x, mu
 
I think I understand what the question is. If I understand right, there's a mass on a sloped plane and there's a way to solve for the acceleration of the mass down it in terms of g, mu, and theta.

If you set up a free body diagram of the problem, you'll get the equation ma=mg sin(theta) - mu*N, where N is the normal force. N = mg cos(theta), so when you substitute and cancel the m's everywhere, you get:

a = g sin(theta) - mu*g cos(theta)

I think this is what you mean. In any case, try being more clear in your initial post next time.
 
You are also implying Einstein's Equivalence Principle...ALL masses accelerate at "g" at the surface of the earth...that is, it happens that gravitational and inertial acceleration are the same...
 
Just a thought, though it may be way off. Related to what Naty said. It sounds to me like the poster might be thinking of formulae for gravitational attraction relative to a specific body of known mass. If so, the process you may be looking for is:

F = (G.m1.m2)/d²
F = ma

So for a given mass:

a = F/m
= ((G.m1.m2)/d²)/m
= Gm/d²

Useful for calculating the orbits of satellites around the Earth or planets around stars etc.
 

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