MHB Kinematics, particle on half circle

AI Thread Summary
A particle traverses half a circle of radius 160 cm in 10 seconds, prompting calculations for mean velocity and acceleration. The main confusion arises around the mean vector of total acceleration, particularly if constant tangent acceleration is assumed. It is suggested that if the initial angular velocity is zero, the mean acceleration simplifies to a formula involving only normal acceleration. However, the discussion reveals that assuming zero initial angular velocity may overlook variations in acceleration, indicating a potential loss of generality in the assumptions made.
Fantini
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Here's the problem.

A point traversed half a circle of radius $R = 160 \text{ cm}$ during a time interval of $\tau = 10.0 \text{ s}$. Calculate the following quantities averaged over that time:

(a) the mean velocity $\langle v \rangle$;

(b) the modulus of the mean velocity $ |\langle {\mathbf v} \rangle|$;

(c) the modulus of the mean vector of the total acceleration $| \langle {\mathbf w} \rangle |$ if the point moved with constant tangent acceleration.

I'm having trouble with (c). Since he mentioned there is a constant tangent acceleration I assumed it is non-zero (this may not be the case). I did not manage to reach a conclusion. Assuming it is zero, the mean acceleration is merely the mean normal acceleration. This leads to

$$| \langle {\mathbf w} \rangle | = 2 | {\mathbf w}_n | = 2 \frac{\langle v \rangle^2}{R} = 2 \frac{\pi^2 R}{\tau^2}.$$

I'm missing something, because the alleged answer is

$$| \langle {\mathbf w} \rangle | = \frac{2 \pi R}{\tau^2} \approx 10 \frac{\text{cm}}{\text{s}^2}.$$

Thank you. :)
 
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Fantini said:
Here's the problem.

A point traversed half a circle of radius $R = 160 \text{ cm}$ during a time interval of $\tau = 10.0 \text{ s}$. Calculate the following quantities averaged over that time:

(a) the mean velocity $\langle v \rangle$;

(b) the modulus of the mean velocity $ |\langle {\mathbf v} \rangle|$;

(c) the modulus of the mean vector of the total acceleration $| \langle {\mathbf w} \rangle |$ if the point moved with constant tangent acceleration.

I'm having trouble with (c). Since he mentioned there is a constant tangent acceleration I assumed it is non-zero (this may not be the case). I did not manage to reach a conclusion. Assuming it is zero, the mean acceleration is merely the mean normal acceleration. This leads to

$$| \langle {\mathbf w} \rangle | = 2 | {\mathbf w}_n | = 2 \frac{\langle v \rangle^2}{R} = 2 \frac{\pi^2 R}{\tau^2}.$$

I'm missing something, because the alleged answer is

$$| \langle {\mathbf w} \rangle | = \frac{2 \pi R}{\tau^2} \approx 10 \frac{\text{cm}}{\text{s}^2}.$$

Thank you. :)

Hey Fantini! ;)

Let $\alpha$ be the angular acceleration, which is constant.
Let $\omega_0$ be the initial angular velocity.
And let $0 \le \theta \le \pi$.

Then:
$$| \langle {\mathbf w} \rangle |
= \left| \frac{\Delta \mathbf v}{\Delta t} \right|
= \left| \frac{\mathbf v(\pi) - \mathbf v(0)}{\tau} \right|
= \frac{|-R(\alpha\tau + \omega_0) + R\omega_0|}{\tau}
= R\alpha$$

Furthermore, we have:
$$\theta(\tau) = \frac 12 \alpha \tau^2 + \omega_0 \tau = \pi$$
$$\alpha = \frac{\pi - \omega_0\tau}{\frac 12 \tau^2}$$

So:
$$| \langle {\mathbf w} \rangle |
= R\frac{\pi - \omega_0\tau}{\frac 12 \tau^2}
=\frac{2\pi R}{\tau^2} - \frac{2\omega_0 R}{\tau}$$

Apparently your problem assumes that $\omega_0=0$.
 
Hey ILS! :)

This is problem 1.19 from Irodov's Problems in General Physics, 1988. Is there any loss of generality by assuming $\omega_0 = 0$? It seems not, since the circular movement begins after $t=0$.

Thank you for your insightful input. ;)
 
Fantini said:
Hey ILS! :)

This is problem 1.19 from Irodov's Problems in General Physics, 1988. Is there any loss of generality by assuming $\omega_0 = 0$? It seems not, since the circular movement begins after $t=0$.

Thank you for your insightful input. ;)

You are right that we can assume $t=0$ without loss of generality.
However, since $|\langle \mathbf w \rangle|$ changes with $\omega_0$, it seems to me that there is loss of generality. So I don't understand where this assumption is coming from.
 
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