Particle Rotation: Solving for X Coordinate at a Given Time

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the x coordinate of a particle rotating counterclockwise in a circle with a radius of 4.4 m and an angular speed of 11 rad/s at a specific time of 1.22 seconds. The equation used is x = Acos(ωt + φ), where φ is derived from the initial conditions. The initial x coordinate is given as 2.9 m, leading to the calculation of φ as cos^-1(2.9/4.4) = 0.85. The final calculation yields an incorrect x value of -0.58, indicating a potential issue with precision in intermediate results.

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chiwen1
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Homework Statement


A particle rotates counterclockwise in a circle of radius 4.4 m with a constant angular speed of 11 rad/s. At t = 0, the particle has an x coordinate of 2.9 m and y > 0. Determine the x coordinate of the particle at t = 1.22 s.

Homework Equations


x = Acos(ωt + φ)

The Attempt at a Solution


Find φ, which is: cos^-1(x/A)-ωt = cos^-1(2.9/4.4) = 0.85,
then x= (4.4)cos(11(1.22)+0.85) = -0.58, which is not correct. What am I doing wrong?
 
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chiwen1 said:

Homework Statement


A particle rotates counterclockwise in a circle of radius 4.4 m with a constant angular speed of 11 rad/s. At t = 0, the particle has an x coordinate of 2.9 m and y > 0. Determine the x coordinate of the particle at t = 1.22 s.

Homework Equations


x = Acos(ωt + φ)

The Attempt at a Solution


Find φ, which is: cos^-1(x/A)-ωt = cos^-1(2.9/4.4) = 0.85,
then x= (4.4)cos(11(1.22)+0.85) = -0.58, which is not correct. What am I doing wrong?

Your method looks okay. Perhaps you're not supplying the correct precision for the answer. Keep extra decimal places in all intermediate results and only round the result at the end.
 

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