Maximum angular velocity and free body diagram

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a physics problem involving maximum angular velocity and free body diagrams for a block on an incline. The user attempts to apply equations for forces in both the radial and vertical directions but struggles to arrive at the expected solution of 1.8. Participants suggest that the user may have incorrect signs in their equations and emphasize the importance of correctly identifying the direction of centripetal acceleration. The correct formulation of the forces is debated, with one participant noting that the user calculated a different value of 1.99 rad/sec. Clarification on the signs and components of the forces is sought to resolve the discrepancies in the calculations.
fredrogers3
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Homework Statement


I have found the question I am having trouble with here:

http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/block-mass-m-rest-surface-incline-adistance-h-10cm-base-height-incline-ish-50cm--coefficie-q218123

Homework Equations


See below

The Attempt at a Solution


After doing my free body diagram, I picked the vertical axis to be y and the horizontal axis to be r.
Force total in the r direction= Fnsinθ-Ffrcosθ= m((v^2)/r)
In the y direction, = Ffrsinθ + FnCosθ-mg=0, b/c a=0

If this box is not to be in motion, then the sum of these forces should be zero. I set the two equations = to zero, while solving for v, but it did not come out to the 1.8 that is given as a solution. Are my components at least correct? If so, where am I going wrong?
 
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fredrogers3 said:
s to be y and the horizontal axis to be r.
Force total in the r direction= Fnsinθ-Ffrcosθ= m((v^2)/r)
In which direction does each of those forces act? What is the direction of acceleration?
 
Don't the negative and positive signs indicate the direction? This is knowing that r is positive to the right and y is positive upwards.
 
fredrogers3 said:
Don't the negative and positive signs indicate the direction? This is knowing that r is positive to the right and y is positive upwards.
I was hinting that you have some signs wrong.
 
haruspex said:
I was hinting that you have some signs wrong.

I see a is negative, but I don't see anything wrong with the other signs. My rough free body diagram is attached
 

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fredrogers3 said:
I see a is negative, but I don't see anything wrong with the other signs. My rough free body diagram is attached
You diagram is fine as far as I can tell (you don't show where the axis is). I ask again, which way is the centripetal acceleration? Which of the forces you have in the equation act in that direction?
 
haruspex said:
You diagram is fine as far as I can tell (you don't show where the axis is). I ask again, which way is the centripetal acceleration? Which of the forces you have in the equation act in that direction?

Pointing towards the center, thus, technically it is -v^2/r. However, does that have any bearing on the sign of the components of the normal force and friction? I thought that had to do with which way the coordinate axes point
 
fredrogers3 said:
Pointing towards the center, thus, technically it is -v^2/r. However, does that have any bearing on the sign of the components of the normal force and friction? I thought that had to do with which way the coordinate axes point
The correct equation is certainly Ffrcosθ - Fnsinθ = m((v^2)/r). But maybe you fixed it up later in your calculation somehow.
I get 1.99 rad/sec, not 1.8. What do you get? If not 1.99, please post the details of your whole calculation.
 
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