Tangential and Centripetal Acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bike traveling over a hill with a specified radius and varying speeds at two positions. Participants are tasked with determining average tangential acceleration, centripetal acceleration, and net acceleration, while considering the context of the bike's motion and forces involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of average tangential acceleration and question how to derive it given the initial and final speeds. Some express uncertainty about the centripetal acceleration's reference point, while others seek clarification on the cyclist's actions during the ascent.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and raising questions about the necessary details for a complete analysis. Some guidance has been offered regarding the assumptions of constant acceleration and the need for additional information about the cyclist's actions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of clarity regarding the cyclist's force application and the specific positions of points A and B in relation to the hill's geometry. There is also mention of a diagram that may provide further context but is not currently available.

kwenz21
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Homework Statement


A bike is travel up and over a hill with a radius at the top of the hill of 10 meters. The bike is traveling at 10 m/s at position A and 5 m/s at position. (and the problem comes with a picture showing an angle of 60* between point A and B.

a. Determine the average tangential acceleration while slowing down
b. Determine the centripetal acceleration
c. Determine the net acceleration and its direction


Homework Equations


I used a(centripetal)=v^2/r and I was unsure of how to get tangential


The Attempt at a Solution


I evantually came out with a being equal to -2.5 m/s^2 (-5^2/10) and I was unable to get tangential just putting down my best guess which made it impossible for me to get a and c correct
 
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kwenz21 said:

Homework Statement


A bike is travel up and over a hill with a radius at the top of the hill of 10 meters. The bike is traveling at 10 m/s at position A and 5 m/s at position. (and the problem comes with a picture showing an angle of 60* between point A and B.

a. Determine the average tangential acceleration while slowing down
b. Determine the centripetal acceleration
c. Determine the net acceleration and its direction

Homework Equations


I used a(centripetal)=v^2/r and I was unsure of how to get tangential

The Attempt at a Solution


I evantually came out with a being equal to -2.5 m/s^2 (-5^2/10) and I was unable to get tangential just putting down my best guess which made it impossible for me to get a and c correct
Is the cyclist applying force to the pedals as he goes up the hill? In other words, is the cyclist adding energy to the bike or is the bike coasting up the hill?

I think you will have to provide the diagram or provide some more details of where A and B are in terms of horizontal and vertical distance from the top and base of the hill.

AM
 
This is the exact problem that was given to me. Sorry if some parts are hard to see the only relevant things I can think of that are in the picture and not the descriptionis that the radius of the circle is 10m and the angle between A and B is 60*
 

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Average acceleration means that constant acceleration which would result in the same change of velocity and distance traveled in the same time. Assuming constant tangential acceleration and the path taken as pi/3 R, and knowing the initial and final speeds, how do you determine the acceleration?

As for the centripetal acceleration, the text does not specify if it is at A or B or at the maximum height. ehild
 

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