The problem involves a pendulum suspended in a train that is accelerating. Participants are discussing the relationship between the angle of the pendulum and the acceleration of the train, specifically whether the acceleration can be expressed using the sine or tangent of the angle.
There is an ongoing exploration of the correct approach to relate the pendulum's angle to the train's acceleration. Some participants have acknowledged corrections regarding the use of tangent over sine, indicating a productive exchange of ideas.
Participants are navigating through potential misunderstandings regarding the components of forces acting on the pendulum and the implications of the train's acceleration on these forces.
So was I right. I searched for it over internet which says about using tan instead of sin but it seemed unreasonable to meBystander said:See, you're understanding vectors, and which components mean what.
My bad. What you found about tan is correct. The gravitational force is perpendicular to the train's acceleration. The force acting on the pendulum mass is the vector sum of the gravitational force and the train's acceleration.shayan haider said:using tan instead of sin
What did you mean by that. I want to learn which is correct gsintheta or gtantheta.Bystander said:My bad. What you found about tan is correct. The gravitational force is perpendicular to the train's acceleration. The force acting on the pendulum mass is the vector sum of the gravitational force and the train's acceleration.
Mea culpa.
The vector triangle to be examined has three sides: 1) the hypotenuse, which is the resultant of gravitational force on the pendulum, and the train's acceleration (pulling the mass toward rear of train); 2) the vertical leg, which is mg of the pendulum; and 3) the horizontal leg, which is atrainm. The relationship between the two legs of the triangle is "opposite" (horizontal) over "adjacent" (vertical), or tangent, since the angle of the resultant is measured from the vertical.shayan haider said:gtantheta.
Oh sorry, I have got your point. You are right. Thanks for correction.Bystander said:The vector triangle to be examined has three sides: 1) the hypotenuse, which is the resultant of gravitational force on the pendulum, and the train's acceleration (pulling the mass toward rear of train); 2) the vertical leg, which is mg of the pendulum; and 3) the horizontal leg, which is atrainm. The relationship between the two legs of the triangle is "opposite" (horizontal) over "adjacent" (vertical), or tangent, since the angle of the resultant is measured from the vertical.
I mistook that first. g is not the resultant. It is component.Bystander said:The vector triangle to be examined has three sides: 1) the hypotenuse, which is the resultant of gravitational force on the pendulum, and the train's acceleration (pulling the mass toward rear of train); 2) the vertical leg, which is mg of the pendulum; and 3) the horizontal leg, which is atrainm. The relationship between the two legs of the triangle is "opposite" (horizontal) over "adjacent" (vertical), or tangent, since the angle of the resultant is measured from the vertical.
You and me both, but it's straightened out now.shayan haider said:I mistook that first. g is not the resultant. It is component.