Newton's 2nd law with oscilations

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around applying Newton's second law to a scenario involving a car moving with constant acceleration and a ball oscillating from a fixed position. The key equation derived is gSin(α) - mCos(α) = A = R*(α''), where α represents the angle of oscillation. Participants emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the maximum angle θ and the equilibrium angle, clarifying that the maximum angle is sought during oscillation. The equivalence principle is introduced as a method to simplify the analysis by treating the combined effects of gravity and acceleration as a single gravitational force.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion
  • Familiarity with oscillatory motion and angular displacement
  • Knowledge of the equivalence principle in physics
  • Basic skills in solving differential equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Newton's second law in non-inertial reference frames
  • Learn about the equivalence principle and its implications in mechanics
  • Explore methods for solving differential equations related to oscillatory systems
  • Investigate the dynamics of pendulums under varying acceleration conditions
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of oscillatory motion in accelerating frames of reference.

Danielpom
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Homework Statement


a car moving to the left with constent accelration. a ball is hanging from the ceiling held in 90 degrees to the ceiling until t=0, then it is realesed and start to swing.

find the max angle.
IMAG1396.jpg

Homework Equations


Newton's second law

The Attempt at a Solution



gSin(α)-mCos(α)=A=R*(α'')

IMAG1398.jpg


more detailed attempt
IMAG1397.jpg
 

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You need to type out the key steps and your answer. Your attached notes are unreadable.
 
PeroK said:
You need to type out the key steps and your answer. Your attached notes are unreadable.
thanks, fixed
 
Danielpom said:

Homework Statement


a car moving to the left with constent accelration. a ball is hanging from the ceiling held in 90 degrees to the ceiling until t=0, then it is realesed and start to swing.

find the max angle.
View attachment 238653

Homework Equations


Newton's second law

The Attempt at a Solution



gSin(α)-mCos(α)=A=R*(α'')

View attachment 238660

more detailed attempt
View attachment 238658
I think you have confused yourself with regard to angles. Please define exactly what your angle α represents. What is its relationship to the given θ?
 
haruspex said:
I think you have confused yourself with regard to angles. Please define exactly what your angle α represents. What is its relationship to the given θ?
θ is α. just called it by a different name...
 
Is the right answer supposed to be the one highlighted in yellow?
 
Danielpom said:
θ is α. just called it by a different name...
That doesn't work. θ Is a given initial angle. You have a differential equation in which α is a variable.
You need to draw a diagram with the string at some intermediate position.
 
DrClaude said:
Is the right answer supposed to be the one highlighted in yellow?
yes
 
Danielpom said:
yes
In that case, I would appreciate some clarification about what the question is actually asking, "find the max angle." I suppose that the original is not in English but in Hebrew, but could you provide as close a translation as possible as to what is asked for.
 
  • #10
DrClaude said:
In that case, I would appreciate some clarification about what the question is actually asking, "find the max angle." I suppose that the original is not in English but in Hebrew, but could you provide as close a translation as possible as to what is asked for.

It's the maximum angle, not the equilibrium angle.
 
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  • #11
Danielpom said:
yes

In any case, I suggest a major transformation would be helpful in tackling this problem. Have you ever heard of the equivalence principle?
 
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  • #12
PeroK said:
It's the maximum angle, not the equilibrium angle.
I get that you and @haruspex understand the question better than I do! I'll stop asking for clarifications.
 
  • #13
PeroK said:
In any case, I suggest a major transformation would be helpful in tackling this problem. Have you ever heard of the equivalence principle?
didn't hear about it, do you have some info about it?
 
  • #14
DrClaude said:
In that case, I would appreciate some clarification about what the question is actually asking, "find the max angle." I suppose that the original is not in English but in Hebrew, but could you provide as close a translation as possible as to what is asked for.
the angle θ until the time t=0 is 0 (the object is held in its place), then, at t=0 the object is released and start to oscillate. the acceleration of the car it's all happening at is ' a '. the question is, what will the maximum angle θ be during its oscillation.
 
  • #15
Danielpom said:
didn't hear about it, do you have some info about it?
The basic idea of the equivalence principle is that the effect of a gravitational field or of a uniformly accelerating platform are locally indistinguishable. Without looking out the window, there is no way to tell whether you are in an elevator accelerating upward in space or an elevator standing still on the ground floor.

Taking this a step farther, you can add up the effect of gravity plus the effect of a uniform acceleration and treat the vector sum as if it were pure gravity. One can justify this as follows:

1. Pretend that gravity is actually the whole lab experiencing 1 gee of vertical acceleration upward.
2. Add to that the constant leftward acceleration whose magnitude is a.
3. Determine the magnitude and direction of the resulting acceleration up and to the left.
4. Drop the acceleration and pretend instead that gravity has this magnitude and is acting down and to the right.

That is an efficient approach to this problem.
 
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  • #16
jbriggs444 said:
The basic idea of the equivalence principle is that the effect of a gravitational field or of a uniformly accelerating platform are locally indistinguishable. Without looking out the window, there is no way to tell whether you are in an elevator accelerating upward in space or an elevator standing still on the ground floor.

Taking this a step farther, you can add up the effect of gravity plus the effect of a uniform acceleration and treat the vector sum as if it were pure gravity. One can justify this as follows:

1. Pretend that gravity is actually the whole lab is experiencing 1 gee of vertical acceleration upward.
2. Add to that the constant leftward acceleration whose magnitude is a.
3. Determine the magnitude and direction of the resulting acceleration up and to the left.
4. Drop the acceleration and pretend instead that gravity has this magnitude and is acting down and to the right.

That is an efficient approach to this problem.
thank you very much for the detailed explenation! it is great. I'll try to think of it that way. Thanks.
 
  • #17
jbriggs444 said:
The basic idea of the equivalence principle is that the effect of a gravitational field or of a uniformly accelerating platform are locally indistinguishable. Without looking out the window, there is no way to tell whether you are in an elevator accelerating upward in space or an elevator standing still on the ground floor.

Taking this a step farther, you can add up the effect of gravity plus the effect of a uniform acceleration and treat the vector sum as if it were pure gravity. One can justify this as follows:

1. Pretend that gravity is actually the whole lab experiencing 1 gee of vertical acceleration upward.
2. Add to that the constant leftward acceleration whose magnitude is a.
3. Determine the magnitude and direction of the resulting acceleration up and to the left.
4. Drop the acceleration and pretend instead that gravity has this magnitude and is acting down and to the right.

That is an efficient approach to this problem.
I tried looking at it your way, but didn't suceedto get the solution
 
  • #18
Danielpom said:
I tried looking at it your way, but didn't suceedto get the solution

How far did you get? Can you summarise your thinking?

Hint: this approach is so efficient that you hardly need any calculations. So, it's perhaps worth persevering with.
 
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