Motion of a point mass (circular motion)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the motion of a point mass constrained by a massless thread on a horizontal plane, where the thread is being pulled through a hole by a constant force. The problem involves formulating the equations of motion in polar coordinates and applying Newton's laws, with specific initial conditions regarding the position and velocity of the mass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss separating forces into respective directions and the implications of the thread being pulled at a constant velocity. Questions arise regarding the treatment of acceleration and the role of constraint forces in the system.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, questioning assumptions about acceleration and the nature of the forces involved. Some guidance has been provided regarding the interpretation of the equations and the relationship between variables, though multiple interpretations are still being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted uncertainty regarding the treatment of the radial acceleration and the implications of the constant velocity of the thread on the motion of the mass. Participants are also clarifying the nature of the equations to be solved and the definitions of the variables involved.

Carson Birth
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Homework Statement


A point mass, sliding over an even, horizontal plane is bounded on an inextensible, massless thread. During the motion, the thread is pulled by a force F with constant velocity ##v_{o} ## through a hole O. In the beginning (##t_{o} ## = 0) r(##t_{o} ##)=b holds (the length of the thread on the plane is b at the beginning then will get shorter due to the force F as it is pulled through). The initial velocity of the point mass perpendicular to the thread is ##v_{1} ## in ##\phi ## direction, and the angle ##\phi ##(##t_{o} ##) = ##\phi_{o} ## = 0Formulate the system's equation of motion and the equation of constraint forces in polar coordinates. Apply Newton's Law. Also the polar coordinate system is attached to the masspoint with r pointing away from the hole and ##\phi ## pointing toward the trajectory.

Homework Equations


##\overrightarrow{a} ## = (##\ddot{r} ## - r##\dot{\phi}^2 ##) in r direction + (r##\ddot{\phi} ##+2##\dot{r} ####\dot{\phi} ##) in ##\phi ## direction

The Attempt at a Solution


I separated the forces into there respected directions:
##\ddot{\phi} ## direction: mr##\ddot{\phi} ## + m2##\dot{r}####\dot{\phi} ## = 0
r direction: F + mr##\dot{\phi}^2 ## = 0

Now I am pretty sure there isn't any constraint forces, since there is no N force effecting the mass point.

So now I need to create an equation of motion, and from my understanding I need to create one equation. Is it as simple as just solving for ##\dot{\phi} ## and plugging it into the other equation? I had a similar equation where I solved the ##\phi ## direction equation as a differential but it didnt have the 2##\dot{r}####\dot{\phi} ## term with it, it was a gravity force making it very simple to solve. I know this isn't for people to solve my homework so I am just looking for advice on how to get it all set up for the further sub-questions. Any advice would be appreciated :D
 
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Carson Birth said:

Homework Statement


A point mass, sliding over an even, horizontal plane is bounded on an inextensible, massless thread. During the motion, the thread is pulled by a force F with constant velocity ##v_{o} ## through a hole O. In the beginning (##t_{o} ## = 0) r(##t_{o} ##)=b holds (the length of the thread on the plane is b at the beginning then will get shorter due to the force F as it is pulled through). The initial velocity of the point mass perpendicular to the thread is ##v_{1} ## in ##\phi ## direction, and the angle ##\phi ##(##t_{o} ##) = ##\phi_{o} ## = 0Formulate the system's equation of motion and the equation of constraint forces in polar coordinates. Apply Newton's Law. Also the polar coordinate system is attached to the masspoint with r pointing away from the hole and ##\phi ## pointing toward the trajectory.

Homework Equations


##\overrightarrow{a} ## = (##\ddot{r} ## - r##\dot{\phi}^2 ##) in r direction + (r##\ddot{\phi} ##+2##\dot{r} ####\dot{\phi} ##) in ##\phi ## direction

The Attempt at a Solution


I separated the forces into there respected directions:
##\ddot{\phi} ## direction: mr##\ddot{\phi} ## + m2##\dot{r}####\dot{\phi} ## = 0
r direction: F + mr##\dot{\phi}^2 ## = 0
r is changing. Why did you ignored ##\ddot r##?
 
ehild said:
r is changing. Why did you ignored ##\ddot r##?
My thought was since the thread is being pulled by a force with constant velocity, that it wouldn't be accelerating.
 
Carson Birth said:
My thought was since the thread is being pulled by a force with constant velocity, that it wouldn't be accelerating.
You are right, I misread it as "constant force". Sorry.
So you do not know F, but you know that ##\dot r ## is constant. Go ahead. Solve the first equation.
 
Last edited:
ehild said:
You are right, I misread it as "constant force". Sorry.
So you do not know F, but you know that ##\dot r ## is constant. Go ahead. Solve the first equation.
When you say solve the first equation, what do you mean? Would I solve the first equation as a differential equation or you mean solve for a variable then put it into the first equation? :D
 
Carson Birth said:
When you say solve the first equation, what do you mean? Would I solve the first equation as a differential equation or you mean solve for a variable then put it into the first equation? :D

It is a differential equation for Φ as function of time. You know ##\dot r## hence also r(t).
 

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