Object on a String: Solving for Velocity

  • Thread starter Thread starter bulldog23
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    String
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a ball swinging on a string, where the length of the string and the distance to a fixed peg are given. The objective is to determine the ball's velocity at the lowest and highest points of its swing, utilizing principles of energy conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of energy conservation equations, including kinetic and potential energy. There are attempts to relate the length of the string to the energy equations and to clarify the meaning of variables involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different interpretations of energy conservation. Some guidance has been provided regarding the equations to use, but there remains uncertainty about applying these equations to the specific problem setup.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with physics concepts, and there are indications of confusion regarding the relationship between height, energy, and velocity in the context of the problem.

  • #31
So is PE at the top zero also?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Noooo. PE = m g h. Get some rest and rethink this, ok? It's really not that hard. It's a lot easier than force diagrams.
 
  • #33
alright, thanks for the help
 
  • #34
No problem. Just remember total energy is constant and = mgh+(1/2)*mv^2. If you know h at any point than you can compute v. Night, night.
 

Similar threads

Ball on a string thrown around a spool
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Conservation of Energy, PE & KE, ball attach to string problem?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
15K
Circular Motion: Swinging a rock on a string in a vertical circle....
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Why Is My Calculated Velocity at the Swing's Apex Incorrect?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Gravitational Potential Energy-Work (ΔU) Question
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Velocity of a ball at the highest point using the radius
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Can someone check my answer for this work-energy problem?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Conservation of Momentum Problem - Mechanical and Kinetic Energies
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
A pendulum with a ball and a string falls to wrap around another peg
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
11K
Tension in string when ball is at the top of a circle
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
9K