Non-central force and work done

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of work done by non-central forces in a circular motion context. Participants are exploring whether the work done is zero when returning to the starting point, particularly in relation to the characteristics of non-central forces.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the conditions under which work done is considered zero, particularly in the context of non-central forces. There is an exploration of the components of forces acting in radial and angular directions, and how these relate to work done over a complete circular path.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the definitions and implications of force components in circular motion. Some guidance has been offered regarding the nature of radial and angular forces, but there is no explicit consensus on the conclusions drawn from these discussions.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a diagram that may provide additional context, but its details are not included in the discussion. Participants are also grappling with the definitions of differential elements in the context of angular displacement.

Samia qureshi
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when we start from a point say 'O' cover some distance and back to same point work done in the case is zero.will it be zero too for the non-central force as given below in pic.. am i solving it in the right way?
que2.jpg
:oldconfused:
 
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Samia qureshi said:
when we start from a point say 'O' cover some distance and back to same point work done in the case is zero.will it be zero too for the non-central force as given below in pic.. am i solving it in the right way?

i do not understand your differential d(phi) ; how this is defined...
well you have a force which has two parts radial one F(r) and F(theta) the motion is in a plane (r, theta) so any displacement has two parts ;
as it is moving in a circle r is not changing so no work done by the radial force ...as regards theta part as the angle is changing and it returns to the same point after covering 2.pi angle ...
how come the work done will be zero ...so try to analyse your answer.
 
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drvrm said:
i do not understand your differential d(phi) ; how this is defined...
well you have a force which has two parts radial one F(r) and F(theta) the motion is in a plane (r, theta) so any displacement has two parts ;
as it is moving in a circle r is not changing so no work done by the radial force ...as regards theta part as the angle is changing and it returns to the same point after covering 2.pi angle ...
how come the work done will be zero ...so try to analyse your answer.
means if angle changes work done will not b zero? if angle changes and still it returns to same point then will it b zero?
 
Samia qureshi said:
when we start from a point say 'O' cover some distance and back to same point work done in the case is zero.will it be zero too for the non-central force as given below in pic.. am i solving it in the right way?
Is the circle that it travels along centered at the origin?
 

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