Initial acceleration of the charge

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the initial acceleration of a middle charged ball when one of the strands in a triangular configuration breaks. Participants analyze the forces acting on the balls using Newton's laws and constraint equations. They highlight the need to exclude tension forces and derive equations concerning accelerations from the constraints. Initial conditions indicate that all balls start from rest, leading to simplifications in the equations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying these principles to solve the problem.
sergiokapone
Messages
306
Reaction score
17

Homework Statement


Three identical charged balls of mass m and charge q bound in a triangle thread length l. One of the strands break. Calculate the acceleration of the middle ball at the initial moment.

2. Relevant equation

a. Newton's laws

##m\vec a_1 = \vec F_{12} +\vec F_{13} + \vec T_{13}##
##m\vec a_2 = \vec F_{21} +\vec F_{23} + \vec T_{23}##
##m\vec a_3 = \vec F_{31} +\vec F_{32} + \vec T_{31} + \vec T_{32}##b. Constraint Equations

##(\vec r_1 -\vec r_2)^2 = (\vec r_1 -\vec r_3)^2 = const##

c. May be relations between ##\vec r##-vectors in CM-system
##\vec r_1 +\vec r_2+\vec r_3=0 ##

12-02.gif

The Attempt at a Solution


The unknown T-forces should to be exluded using Constraint Equations, but what to do with it, I have no idea.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How could you obtain another equation concerning accelerations from you constraint equations (b)?
I believe your equation (c) should be deducible from the other equations.
 
haruspex said:
How could you obtain another equation concerning accelerations from you constraint equations (b)?
I believe your equation (c) should be deducible from the other equations.
Yes (c) is the cosequence of the Newton's laws.
I don't know answers. Now I have no idea, how to start to solve this problem.
 
From the (b), I can obtain
First differentiating:
##(\vec r_1 - \vec r_3)(\vec v_1 - \vec v_3)=0##
From the second differentiating:
##(\vec v_1-\vec v_3)^2 + (\vec r_1 - \vec r_3)(\vec a_1 - \vec a_3)=0##

And for the second constraint
##(\vec v_2-\vec v_3)^2 + (\vec r_2- \vec r_3)(\vec a_2 - \vec a_3)=0##
 
Last edited:
sergiokapone said:
From the (b), I can obtain
First differentiating:
##(\vec r_1 - \vec r_2)(\vec v_1 - \vec v_2)=0##
From the second differentiating:
##(\vec v_1-\vec v_2)^2 + (\vec r_1 - \vec r_2)(\vec a_1 - \vec a_2)=0##
Right. But we are only interested in the initial acceleration. What simplification does that provide?
 
For the initial conditions:
##\vec v_1= \vec v_2 = \vec v_3=0##.
Then
##(\vec r_1 - \vec r_3)(\vec a_1 - \vec a_3)=0##

And
##(\vec r_2 - \vec r_3)(\vec a_2 - \vec a_3)=0##
 
Last edited:
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Back
Top