Mystery of Rotation of a Mass Hanging From a Car's Ceiling

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    Mass Mystery Rotation
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the dynamics of a mass hanging from the ceiling of a car that accelerates forward with an acceleration greater than gravitational acceleration (g). Participants explore the causes of the mass's rotation and its motion relative to the car, examining the forces at play and the implications of the car's acceleration on the mass's behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what causes the rotation of the mass, noting that while tension in the rope is present, it seems insufficient for rotation.
  • Another participant suggests that the car's acceleration imparts some acceleration to the mass, allowing it to complete a rotation if the velocity at the topmost point reaches a certain threshold.
  • Some participants argue that the car's forward acceleration cannot be the cause of the mass's backward rotation, as they perceive a contradiction in the direction of forces.
  • It is noted that the total force on an object must not be directed at its center of mass for rotation to occur, implying that the attachment point of the rope is significant.
  • One participant describes the forces acting on the mass, including its weight and the tension in the string, and formulates equations relating the angle of the string to the mass's acceleration.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for both motion and a centripetal force for the described motion to occur, questioning the relativity of the motion to the car.
  • A later reply introduces the idea that the car's acceleration increases the tension in the string, providing an upward and forward force on the mass.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the cause of the mass's rotation, with no consensus reached. Some agree on the role of tension and acceleration, while others challenge the explanations provided, indicating ongoing debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the situation, with discussions about the relative motion of the mass and the car, the direction of forces, and the implications of the mass's attachment point. There are unresolved aspects regarding the exact nature of the rotation and the conditions required for it to occur.

drabdallh
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if a mass is hangig from ceiling of a car the car starts to accelerate forward with acceleration greater than g the mass will rotate and then starts to accelerate forward wheil its in the same position making an angle with the vertical

my question what caused the rotation?
i know there is the tension of the rope but this not enough for rotation
and for a person outside the car no other force is there
yes the one inside say there is a force butits only inertia.
so what causes rotation
 
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drabdallh said:
if a mass is hangig from ceiling of a car the car starts to accelerate forward with acceleration greater than g the mass will rotate and then starts to accelerate forward wheil its in the same position making an angle with the vertical

my question wat caused the rotation?
i know there is the tension of the rope but this not enough for rotation
and for a person outside the car no other force is there
yes the one inside say there is a force butits only inertia.
so what causes rotation
from theory of motion in a vertical circle the mass will complete the rotation if the velocity
at the the topmost point is [itex]\sqrt{gr}[/itex] here r is the length of the wire.the car starting with some acceleration imparted some acceleration on the mass also such that its velo at the highest point became[itex]\sqrt{gr}[/itex] so it was able to complete the rotation.
in short the force needed for rotation was provided by the car itself as the mass remains attached to the car
 
yes the car will impart some its acceleration to the mass but the acceleration of th car is forward while the upside rotation of the mass is backward
so the rotaion can't be due to car acceleration
 
drabdallh said:
yes the car will impart some its acceleration to the mass
Once equilibrium is reached, both car and mass will have the same acceleration.
but the acceleration of th car is forward while the upside rotation of the mass is backward
so the rotaion can't be due to car acceleration
While the mass initially moves backward with respect to the car, viewed from the ground it always moves forward.
 
You get rotations when the total force on an object is not directed at its center of mass. In this case, the rope from which the object hangs must not be attached at the object's center of mass. If it was, there would be no rotation.
 
If I read this question correctly a car is accelerating forward and a mass hanging from the ceiling of the car is at an angle to the vertical.
There are 2 relevant forces acting on the mass
1) its weight acting vertically downwards.
2) the tension in the string
The mass will be accelerating with the acceleration of the car and the horizontal component of the tension in the string provides the resultant forward force on the mass.
If the angle of the string to the vertical is ∅ then TSin∅ is the force responsible for the acceleration of the mass. TSin∅ = ma
The vertical component of the tension (TCos∅) will equal the weight (mg) of the mass
These 2 equations give Tan∅ = a/g
 
all what you said is correct still no answer to my question the mass will move forward yes but in the same time will rotate anti clockwise what caused this rotation?
 
Sorry... I did not realize about this rotation. It is something I have not heard of.
 
for more specificity it will not rotate i.e completely but it will get higher in a circular patter.
and to make the question more simpler
this motion to occur need 2 things the object to be moving and a centripetal fore
my whole problem that the motion is not true it is relative on tothe car yet the object starts to rotate how come?
 
  • #10
drabdallh said:
still no answer to my question the mass will move forward yes but in the same time will rotate anti clockwise what caused this rotation?
So your mass is like a lump of concrete with a hole bored horizontally through its centre, and supported on a frictionless axle located through this hole? It is the axle itself that is supported by the rope dangling from the roof?

Is that the picture?
 
  • #11
NascentOxygen said:
So your mass is like a lump of concrete with a hole bored horizontally through its centre, and supported on a frictionless axle located through this hole? It is the axle itself that is supported by the rope dangling from the roof?

Is that the picture?

yes it is like serway problem page 161
n.b the pic in serway shows that there would only be a horizontal movement but mathematically impossible as the the tangent of the triangle should be the same length of the rope and this wouldn't be possible if it stays on the same horizontal level
 

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  • #12
drabdallh said:
all what you said is correct still no answer to my question the mass will move forward yes but in the same time will rotate anti clockwise what caused this rotation?
The car accelerates, yanking the string along with it. The string doesn't stretch (much), its tension increases, giving an upward (and forward) force to the mass at its end.
 

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