Path Coordinates and constant circular acceleration.

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Buckshot23
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Homework Statement



A top is made to spin by unwinding the string wrapped around it. The string has a length of 0.64m and is wound at a radius of 0.02m (neglect string thickness). The string is pulled such that top spins with a constant angular acceleration of 12 rad/s^2. Determine the velocity and acceleration vectors in path coordinates when the string has completely unwound. Assume that the top starts from rest.


Homework Equations



a=(tangential acceleration)*[tex]\hat{t}[/tex]+(normal acceleration)*[tex]\hat{n}[/tex]

v=(magnitude of velocity vector)*[tex]\hat{t}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



The string pulls so that 16[tex]\pi[/tex] revolutions occur which is approximately 315.8 radians.

Tangential acceleration = r*[tex]\alpha[/tex] or (.02m)(12 rad/s^2) (or is this only for constant circular speed situations?)

I am pretty well lost on this one. Where do I begin?
 
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Buckshot23 said:

Homework Statement



A top is made to spin by unwinding the string wrapped around it. The string has a length of 0.64m and is wound at a radius of 0.02m (neglect string thickness). The string is pulled such that top spins with a constant angular acceleration of 12 rad/s^2. Determine the velocity and acceleration vectors in path coordinates when the string has completely unwound. Assume that the top starts from rest.


Homework Equations



a=(tangential acceleration)*[tex]\hat{t}[/tex]+(normal acceleration)*[tex]\hat{n}[/tex]

v=(magnitude of velocity vector)*[tex]\hat{t}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



The string pulls so that 16[tex]\pi[/tex] revolutions occur which is approximately 315.8 radians.

Tangential acceleration = r*[tex]\alpha[/tex] or (.02m)(12 rad/s^2) (or is this only for constant circular speed situations?)

I am pretty well lost on this one. Where do I begin?

First are you sure that it's 16*π is the number of revolutions?

As to figuring the velocity maybe you can use the usual kinematic equations?

Vf2 = Vo2 + 2*a*x

Only V is in radians/s and x is in radians?