Maximum Speed of a Whirling Rock on a String - Solving a Physics Problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the maximum speed of a 630-gram rock whirled on a 49 cm string, which can withstand a tension of 20 N. Initial attempts included using the formula T - mg = ma, but confusion arose regarding the necessity of the gravitational force term. The correct approach involves using the centripetal force equation T = mv^2/r to solve for speed. After correcting conversion errors, the final speed calculation was confirmed. The thread highlights the importance of proper unit conversion and the correct application of physics formulas.
mattmannmf
Messages
170
Reaction score
0
A 630 gram rock is whirled on the end of a string 49 cm long which will break under a tension of 20 N.

a) What is the highest speed the rock can reach before the string breaks? (Neglect gravity.)
V=M/S

T- mg= ma

T-mg= m(v^2/r) solve for v

i get 2.188 m/s (which is wrong)

20-(630*9.8)= (630)(v^2/.49)

I converted 49 cm into .49 meters

help?
 
Physics news on Phys.org


I don't know why you have the mg term in there. I think all you need is the T=mv^2/r and solve for v.
 


20= (630)*( (v^2)/ .49)

v= .125 m/s... that was wrong when i plugged it in
 


nvm, i got it. conversion problem thanks!
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top