# Homework Help: Mechanics problem

1. Nov 22, 2009

### henryc09

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A mass m is placed on top of a smooth hemisphere of radius a such that $$\vartheta$$=$$\pi$$/2 (so it is basically on the top of the semicircle, with $$\vartheta$$ being the angle between it and the horizontal).

It is given a very small impulse and as a result begins to slide down one side of the hemisphere under the influence of the gravitational acceleration g.

State the forces acting on the mass, giving their directions, and write down its radial and angular equations of motion in polar coordinates as long as it remains sliding on the sphere.

Find the reaction force between the mass and the surface of the hemisphere as a function of the angle $$\vartheta$$, and hence show the mass flies off the surface of the hemisphere when its vertical height has decreased by a/3.

2. Relevant equations
I guess that
a= -r$$\omega$$^2 r^ + r $$\delta$$$$\omega$$/$$\delta$$t $$\vartheta$$^

3. The attempt at a solution
Only just started this section of the course and so struggling to get my head around a lot of the material. The forces acting are gravity and the normal force, and so I suppose the equation of motion would be:

ma= -mgsin$$\vartheta$$ + N r^ - mgcos$$\vartheta$$ $$\vartheta$$^

Not sure how to express the normal force, but would I be right in saying it flies off where -mgsin$$\vartheta$$ + N < -mr$$\omega$$^2

also when it's at height a/3 sin$$\vartheta$$=1/3

But yeah basically I'm just pretty confused with this topic so far so any help would be appreciated.

2. Nov 22, 2009

### kuruman

You are almost there for the acceleration. Think of the sphere as an incline with continuously changing angle theta. Perpendicular to the "incline" is the radial direction and parallel to the incline is the "theta" direction. What are the components of the weight along these directions?

The mass flies off when the sphere can no longer exert a force on the mass in which case the mass is in free fall. The only force that the sphere can exert on the mass is N. So what do you think the value of N must be when the mass flies off?

3. Nov 22, 2009

### henryc09

right so when the normal force is 0 it flies off.

the component of gravity acting towards the centre is -mgsin$$\vartheta$$ I think.

So the overall centripetal force which is -mr$$\omega$$^2 which equals -mgsin$$\vartheta\vartheta$$ + N and so

N = -mr$$\omega$$^2 + mgsin$$\vartheta$$ and so when N = 0

r$$\omega$$^2 = gsin$$\vartheta$$

not sure where to go now. I guess working out $$\omega$$ as a function of $$\vartheta$$? Although not sure how I'd do that exactly.

4. Nov 22, 2009

### kuruman

Use energy conservation and v = ωR.

5. Nov 23, 2009

### henryc09

ah I see, got it now! Thanks :D

6. Nov 24, 2009

### losersia

hw excatly did u do it??