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Edit: Tried to post three times and forum kept adding the prompts. Removed Prompts.
Three blocks are initially at rest on a level frictionless surface. At t=0s, a three identical forces are applied to a different point on each block.
Each block is a rectangle approximately 3x1 oriented with the long sides facing north/south. The center of mass on each block is at (1.5,.5) if the lower left corner of the block is (0,0)
The force on block 1 is applied at about (1,.5)
The force on block 2 is applied at the center of mass
The force on block 3 is applied at about (3,.5)
img233.imageshack.us/img233/959/dynamicsofrigidbodiescq9.png
a) Draw an arrow on the diagram indicating the direction of acceleration of each blocks center of mass. If the acceleration is zero, state so explicitly.
b) Rank the center of mass accelerations from largest to smallest and explain. Draw a point FBD for each block
Conceptual problem.
I think that all the accelerations will be equal. Accelerations are equal at the center of mass regardless of where the force is applied. However I'm confused because it seems like some of the force should go to rotating the object, and if that is true, the accelerations of each of these objects centers of mass will be different.
So either B1=B2=B3 or B2>B1>B3. The FBDs would be different depending on each. If B1=B2=B3, they would be quite simple, just one vector pointing North, but if B2>B1>B3, there would be (I think) the same but with different magnitudes.
It's a pretty simple problem I think, but I may have overthought it and become confused. Help!
Thanks.
Homework Statement
Three blocks are initially at rest on a level frictionless surface. At t=0s, a three identical forces are applied to a different point on each block.
Each block is a rectangle approximately 3x1 oriented with the long sides facing north/south. The center of mass on each block is at (1.5,.5) if the lower left corner of the block is (0,0)
The force on block 1 is applied at about (1,.5)
The force on block 2 is applied at the center of mass
The force on block 3 is applied at about (3,.5)
img233.imageshack.us/img233/959/dynamicsofrigidbodiescq9.png
a) Draw an arrow on the diagram indicating the direction of acceleration of each blocks center of mass. If the acceleration is zero, state so explicitly.
b) Rank the center of mass accelerations from largest to smallest and explain. Draw a point FBD for each block
Homework Equations
Conceptual problem.
The Attempt at a Solution
I think that all the accelerations will be equal. Accelerations are equal at the center of mass regardless of where the force is applied. However I'm confused because it seems like some of the force should go to rotating the object, and if that is true, the accelerations of each of these objects centers of mass will be different.
So either B1=B2=B3 or B2>B1>B3. The FBDs would be different depending on each. If B1=B2=B3, they would be quite simple, just one vector pointing North, but if B2>B1>B3, there would be (I think) the same but with different magnitudes.
It's a pretty simple problem I think, but I may have overthought it and become confused. Help!
Thanks.
