Polar component in a circular path

Thread starter nysnacc
Start date Sep 13, 2016
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Circular Component Path Polar

In summary, the polar component in a circular path is the component of an object's motion that is perpendicular to the circular path, measured in the direction of the radius of the circle. It is related to the tangential component, which together make up the total velocity of the object. The polar component affects an object's acceleration by changing its direction, always directed towards the center of the circle. It can never be greater than the tangential component, which is responsible for the change in speed. The polar component is directly proportional to the radius of the circular path, meaning it increases as the radius increases due to the larger distance the object has to travel, resulting in a greater change in direction.

Sep 13, 2016

nysnacc

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

s=r* theta

The Attempt at a Solution

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Sep 13, 2016

phinds

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Is there a question in there somewhere?

Sep 13, 2016

nysnacc

Yes I have to find F_r and F_theta but I am not sure what should I do

1. What is the polar component in a circular path?

The polar component in a circular path refers to the component of an object's motion that is perpendicular to the circular path. It is measured in the direction of the radius of the circle.

2. How is the polar component related to the tangential component in a circular path?

The polar component and the tangential component are perpendicular to each other and together make up the total velocity of an object moving in a circular path. The polar component is responsible for the change in direction of the object's motion, while the tangential component is responsible for the change in speed.

3. How does the polar component affect an object's acceleration in a circular path?

The polar component affects an object's acceleration by changing the direction of its motion. In a circular path, the polar component of an object's acceleration is always directed towards the center of the circle, while the tangential component is directed tangent to the circle.

4. Can the polar component ever be greater than the tangential component in a circular path?

No, the polar component can never be greater than the tangential component in a circular path. This is because the tangential component is responsible for the object's change in speed, and if the polar component were greater, the object would be accelerating in a direction away from the center of the circle, which is not possible in a circular path.

5. How is the polar component affected by the radius of the circular path?

The polar component is directly proportional to the radius of the circular path. This means that as the radius increases, the polar component also increases. This is because a larger radius means the object has to travel a greater distance to complete one revolution, and therefore has a larger change in direction, resulting in a greater polar component.