Particle moving inside a rotating hollow tube

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a particle sliding inside a rotating hollow tube, which is pivoted and rotates in a vertical plane with a constant angular velocity. The objective is to calculate the normal force exerted by the tube's wall on the particle at a specific moment when the particle is moving towards the pivot point.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of polar coordinates and the implications of the particle's motion in the radial and angular directions. There are questions about the assumptions made regarding the particle's acceleration and the presence of friction. Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions of the forces acting on the particle.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the relationships between the forces acting on the particle and the equations of motion. Some participants have provided insights into the implications of constant angular velocity, while others are questioning the validity of certain assumptions and calculations. The discussion remains active with various interpretations being considered.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of information regarding friction and the specific conditions of the problem, such as the orientation of the system and the role of gravity. There is also mention of a diagram that may aid in understanding the setup.

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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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