Solve Problem in Mechanics Homework: Find Acceleration Angle

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a mechanics problem involving a race car accelerating on a circular track. The goal is to determine the angle that the total acceleration of the car makes with the radius connecting the center of the track to the car upon completing the circle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to define the angle and total acceleration, expressing relationships between radial and tangential acceleration. Some participants suggest using the final speed and radius to find the angle, while others express concerns about the reasonableness of the calculated angle.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering hints and suggestions for expressing variables in terms of known quantities. There is a recognition of potential errors in the calculations, particularly regarding the final angle, but no consensus has been reached on the correctness of the approach or the answer.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of formatting issues with the use of LaTeX for subscripts and superscripts, which may affect clarity in the expressions shared.

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Homework Statement


A race car starts from rest on a circular track. the car increases its speed at a constant rate at as it goes once around the track.


Homework Equations



Find the angle that the total acceleration of the car makes- with the radius connecting the centre of the track and the car- at the moment the car completes the circle.


The Attempt at a Solution


First I put the angle = [tex]\theta[/tex]
I put the total acceleration = a
and ar= a radial
and then I found that Cos[tex]\theta[/tex]=[tex]\frac{a <span style="font-size: 9px">r }{a}</span>[/tex]
then I said ar=[tex]\frac{v<sup>2</sup>}{r}[/tex]
and v2=[tex]\frac{2 by r}{T}[/tex] where T is the period. But I stopped I have no numbers
So can anyone help me?
 
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Do this: Call the tangential acceleration at. Use this to figure out the speed at the end of circle and thus ar. Use those components to find the angle. (Hint: Express everything in terms of the final speed and the radius.)
 
Doc Al said:
Do this: Call the tangential acceleration at. Use this to figure out the speed at the end of circle and thus ar. Use those components to find the angle. (Hint: Express everything in terms of the final speed and the radius.)

Got it :)
thank you bro :D
 
hey Doc Al am just typing the answer to make sure it is okay, cause I think there is something error because the final answer unreasonable
This what I have done
since at=[tex]\frac{V<sub>f</sub><sup>2</sup>}{2\pi r}[/tex]
and ar=[tex]\frac{v<sub>f</sub><sup>2</sup>}{r}[/tex]
therefore tan[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{a<sub>t</sub>}{a<sub>r</sub>}[/tex]
therefore tan[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{v<sup>2</sup>}{4\pi r}[/tex] × [tex]\frac{r}{v<sup>2</sup>}[/tex]
So [tex]\theta[/tex] = tan-1([tex]\frac{1}{4 \pi}[/tex]
So [tex]\theta[/tex] = 4.548 degrees
I think the angle is too small and it is incorrect ! ?
 
the_storm said:
So [tex]\theta[/tex] = tan-1([tex]\frac{1}{4 \pi}[/tex]
So [tex]\theta[/tex] = 4.548 degrees
I think the angle is too small and it is incorrect ! ?
That answer sounds right to me.

FYI: Your formatting is getting messed up because you are using the sup and sub tags within Latex; keep them separate. The way to use subscripts in Latex is like a_r; to use superscripts, v^2.
 
Ok thank you bro very much :)
 

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