Motion equation in the vertical plane along a cylinder

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the motion equation for a mass $m$ sliding frictionlessly along a cylindrical path of radius $R$ in the vertical plane. The key equations presented are $mr\ddot\theta = mg \sin\theta$ and $mg\dot\theta^2=mg\cos\theta - ||F_r||$. The resulting motion equation is $\ddot\theta -\frac{g}{R}\sin\theta = 0$, which is a valid equation of motion in polar coordinates. The discussion emphasizes the importance of specifying the coordinate system when formulating the motion equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polar coordinates in physics
  • Familiarity with Newton's second law of motion
  • Knowledge of kinematics and dynamics
  • Basic grasp of differential equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of equations of motion in polar coordinates
  • Explore the application of Newton's laws to rotational motion
  • Learn about the dynamics of constrained motion on curved paths
  • Investigate the effects of friction on motion along cylindrical surfaces
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, particularly those studying mechanics, engineers working on motion dynamics, and educators teaching kinematics in polar coordinates.

AntoineCompagnie
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Homework Statement


How do we find the motion equation and more specifically the motion equation of something with a mass $m$ in the vertical plane along a cylindrical path of radius $R$,

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(Translation: A point of mass $m$ slides frictionless in the vertical plane along a cylindrical path of radius $R$).

The components in each direction unitaries give the following equations in the Serret Fernet referential.

\begin{cases} mr\ddot\theta = mg \sin\theta (1)\\
mg\dot\theta^2=mg\cos\theta - ||F_r|| (2)
\end{cases}

Why do we have the following motion (kinematics?) equation answer?

$$\ddot\theta -\frac{g}{R}\sin\theta = 0$$

Homework Equations



\begin{cases} mr\ddot\theta = mg \sin\theta (1)\\
mg\dot\theta^2=mg\cos\theta - ||F_r|| (2)
\end{cases}

The Attempt at a Solution



I tought we had to find $$\vec a$$, $$\vec v$$ and $$x(t)$$ but it seems to be wrong according to the answer above...
 
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You have not stated what the given question is.
The answer you quote is a simple reformulation of your equation (1), so is certainly true.
 
My question was at the top: how do we find the motion equation and more specifically the motion equation of something with a mass $m$ in the vertical plane along a cylindrical path of radius R.
 
AntoineCompagnie said:
My question was at the top: how do we find the motion equation and more specifically the motion equation of something with a mass $m$ in the vertical plane along a cylindrical path of radius R.
Yes, but it is far from clear that is a translation of the question as asked. Are you saying the question is simply "find the equation of motion", and not perhaps "find an equation of motion" or "find the equation of motion in (a particular coordinate system)"?
The given answer is clearly a valid equation of motion in polar coordinates (though it should add r=R for completeness).
 

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