Rotational motion - finding tangential acceleration

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the tangential and radial components of acceleration for a 6 kg block released from a height of 5 m on a frictionless track, entering a half pipe with a radius of 2 m. The user successfully equates potential energy at 5 m and 2 m to find the velocity, but struggles with determining angular acceleration. Key equations mentioned include centripetal acceleration (Ac = v^2/r) and tangential acceleration (At = r * angular acceleration), highlighting the need for a method to derive angular acceleration from the given parameters.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of potential and kinetic energy principles
  • Familiarity with centripetal acceleration calculations
  • Knowledge of angular motion and its equations
  • Basic grasp of forces acting on objects in rotational motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to derive angular acceleration from linear motion parameters
  • Study the relationship between tangential velocity and angular velocity
  • Explore the concept of instantaneous angular velocity and its applications
  • Investigate the forces acting on objects in rotational motion for complete analysis
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone studying rotational dynamics and motion analysis will benefit from this discussion.

prettydumbguy
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1. The problem
A 6 kg block is released from a height of 5 m on a frictionless track and goes into a half pipe with a radius of 2 m. Determine the tangential and radial components of the acceleration when the block reaches a height of 2 m.

Homework Equations


Ac= v^2/r. At = r*angular acceleration. Maybe Vt = angular velocity*r[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


First I set potential energy at 5m = potential energy at 2m and kinetic energy to find the velocity. I got it and then squared it then divided by 2 to get centripetal/radial acceleration. Now here's where I'm stuck.

I have the radius and the tangential velocity and that's it. I know that tangential acceleration = angular acceleration*r but I don't have the angular acceleration. I can find the instantaneous angular velocity, but it's a single number, not a function so I can't take the derivative. I have no clue where to go from here.
 
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How about considering the forces acting on the block?
 

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