Please anyone help me out Circular motion Questions

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving numerical problems related to circular motion, specifically addressing gravitational effects, centripetal acceleration, and banking angles. Key questions include calculating the centripetal acceleration at the equator, determining the minimum radius for a car on a humpback bridge, and finding the optimal banking angle for a road with a specified curvature. Participants emphasize the importance of using formulas such as centripetal acceleration (a_c = v^2/r) and the relationship between angular velocity and period (w = 2π/T) to derive solutions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of centripetal acceleration formulas (a_c = v^2/r)
  • Knowledge of gravitational forces and their effects on circular motion
  • Familiarity with angular velocity and its relationship to period (w = 2π/T)
  • Ability to analyze forces acting on objects in circular motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of centripetal acceleration formulas (a_c = ω^2r and a_c = v^2/r)
  • Learn how to calculate the period of rotation for Earth and its impact on gravitational force
  • Study the principles of banking angles in circular motion and their applications in road design
  • Explore the relationship between forces acting on vehicles in circular paths and their effects on stability
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and circular motion, as well as educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods in these topics.

saltrock
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Please anyone help me out ASAP!Circular motion Questions

Hey guys,i was given about 50 numericals to do related to circular motion .I did most of it but got stuck in the following questions:

1)The gravitational field near the equator is less than that at the poles.It is partially accounted for by the fact that Earth rotates about polar axis.At poles the Earth does not move.At the equator,the gravitational pull has to also provide a centripetal acceleration.Calculate the acceleration which represents some of the difference in the gravitational field?(r=6.4 times 10^6)

2)A car travels over a humpback bridge at the speed of 20 m/s.
a)calculate the minium radius of the brifge if the car's road wheels are to remain in contact with the bridge?
b)what happens if the radius is less than this limiting value?

3)At what angle should ta road with 150 m curvature be banked for travel at 75 km/hr?

If you guys can answer any of these questions please please answer me back.I'd really be grateful to you.Thanyou very much.
:smile:
 
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Welcome to PF saltrock!

You'll get plenty of help here, but you have to show some work. Here are a few hints:

Problem 1: What's the formula for centripetal acceleration? I assume you know the period of rotation of the earth!

Problem 2: Draw yourself a diagram of the car going over the bridge. It's going in a circle, so what must be its acceleration? The tighter the circle (smaller the radius) the greater the centripetal acceleration. What forces act on the car to provide that acceleration?

Problem 3: What provides the centripetal force on the car? To get the proper banking angle, ignore friction.
 
Hi DOC.Cheers for your help.Heres my working

a) given,
radius= 6.4 times 10^6
using a= rw^2 w=2pie/T
a=6.4 times 10^6.5.2 times 10^-9=0.34 m/s^2
 
2) I think i should use this formula
v=rw i have got v , i need to calculate r, i also need to get the value of w which i can calculate by using w=2pie/T but i don't know T so this formula is useless .I don't know any other method od doing this .so i don't know how to do it.can you help me do this please.Thank you very much.
 
Last edited:
saltrock said:
a) given,
radius= 6.4 times 10^6
using a= rw^2 w=2pie/T
a=6.4 times 10^6.5.2 times 10^-9=0.34 m/s^2
Your method is fine, but check your arithmetic. You're off by a factor of 10.
 
saltrock said:
2) I think i should use this formula
v=rw i have got v , i need to calculate r, i also need to get the value of w which i can calculate by using w=2pie/T but i don't know T so this formula is useless .I don't know any other method od doing this .so i don't know how to do it.can you help me do this please.Thank you very much.
The weight provides the centripetal force holding the car onto the road as it goes over the curved bridge. The maximum force is the weight of the car, so use F = ma for centripetal acceleration. Note that centripetal acceleration is give by a_c = \omega^2 r = v^2/r, the two versions being related by v = \omega r. So, F = ma leads to mg = mv^2/r. Solve this for r.
 
on question no theree i don't know what formula i should be using..if you can give me some tips i'll try to solve it.thanks in advance
 
Prob 3 tips

saltrock said:
on question no theree i don't know what formula i should be using..if you can give me some tips i'll try to solve it.thanks in advance
First, as always, draw a picture of the car on the inclined road. Identify all the forces on the car and their directions: weight of car (downwards), normal force of road (perpendicular to road surface).

Then consider these facts:
(1) The centripetal force is provided by the horizontal component of the normal force.
(2) The weight must be balanced by the vertical component of the normal force.

Express these facts mathematically and you'll get a relationship between road angle, speed, and curve radius. Give it a shot.
 

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