Particle moving inside a rotating hollow tube

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the normal force exerted on a particle sliding inside a rotating hollow tube. The particle has a mass of 0.1 kg and is moving towards the pivot point with a velocity of 1.2 m/s when the tube is at a 30-degree angle. Participants clarify the use of polar coordinates and the application of Newton's second law, noting that the angular velocity is constant at 3 rad/s, which implies zero angular acceleration. The normal force is expressed in terms of gravitational force and the particle's motion, leading to the equation N = m(gcosθ + 2r'θ'). The conversation highlights the importance of accurately interpreting the forces acting on the particle and the conditions of motion within the tube.
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Homework Statement



The hollow tube is pivoted about a horizontal axis through point O and is made to rotate in the vertical plane with a constant counterclockwise angular velocity θ'=3rad/s. If a 0.1-kg-particle is sliding in the tube toward O with a velocity of 1.2 m/s relative to the tube when the position θ=30 degrees is passed, calculate the magnitude N of the normal force exerted by the wall of the tube on the particle at that instant.


Homework Equations



Newtons second law.


The Attempt at a Solution



I decided to work with polar coordinates for this problem and therefore I have drawn two unit vectors, e_(r) and e_(θ), where e_(r) is along the tube(away from O) and e_(θ) is perpendicular to e_(r).

We know that θ'=3rad/s and that v=r'=-1.2m/s since the particle is moving towards O. It follows that r''=0 since r' is constant.

I have drawn a free-body diagram and for the particle there is:

A force mgcosθ in the negative e_(θ) direction, a normal force N(Isn't there a frictional force too?But I have neglected it since no information is given about it).

Since it doesn't move in the e_(θ)-direction it means that N=mgcosθ. Now I try to use it in Newton II:

F_(r)=ma_(r)=m(r''-r(θ'^2)) but I do not know how to proceed.
 
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Can you draw a sketch of the system? At least for me, it is hard to imagine how the things are oriented and how the angle θ is defined.
Do we have gravity?
 
mfb said:
Can you draw a sketch of the system? At least for me, it is hard to imagine how the things are oriented and how the angle θ is defined.
Do we have gravity?

Yes, of course. I'll upload a picture. I'm sorry for confusing you.

Problem 3/53. http://i.imgur.com/N0Y7GCy.jpg

Source: Engineering Mechanics, Meriam Kraige
 
Last edited:
Thanks.
It follows that r''=0 since r' is constant.
This does not follow, r' is 1.2m/s at that specific point only.

If nothing is said about friction, you can neglect it.

Since it doesn't move in the e_(θ)-direction
It does move in that direction, as it has to stay in the tube.
 
mfb said:
Thanks.

This does not follow, r' is 1.2m/s at that specific point only.

If nothing is said about friction, you can neglect it.


It does move in that direction, as it has to stay in the tube.

Alright, some serious errors there. I will have to check it out thoroughly and get back.
 
mfb said:
Thanks.

This does not follow, r' is 1.2m/s at that specific point only.

If nothing is said about friction, you can neglect it.It does move in that direction, as it has to stay in the tube.

Alright, I see your point. I've tried this:

In the e_(θ) direction: N-mgcosθ=ma_(θ)=m(rθ''+2r'θ') where N is the normal force.

N = mgcosθ+m(rθ''+2r'θ')=m(gcosθ+(rθ''+2r'θ')).

We do not know what r is but we know that θ'=3rad/s. Does that imply that θ''=0? In that case we can proceed independent of r.

N=m(gcosθ+2r'θ')
 
θ''=0, right.

Looks good.
 
θ''=0 because it was written : (with a constant counterclockwise angular velocity θ'=3rad/s ) that's why ... i think :)
 
Hello. I have this same problem and was able to find it here. I actually got everywhere up to the point of

N = m(2r'theta' +gcos(theta)) but am getting a wrong answer. I assumed this was the final answer. Since there is no normal force in the er direction or Ez direction, why isn't this it?
 
  • #10
Note that the r' is negative yielding negative acceleraion
 
  • #11
The previous post was from 2014, I think it is best to let the thread rest.
 
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