Understanding Forces and Velocity for an Object in a Curved Path

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the forces and velocity of an object moving along a curved path, with a specific focus on drawing vectors for velocity and net force at various points along the curve. The problem involves concepts from dynamics and kinematics, particularly related to acceleration and its direction toward a specific point.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between velocity and acceleration in curved motion, noting that velocity vectors should be tangent to the curve while acceleration vectors point toward the center of curvature. There is uncertainty about how to represent the magnitudes of these vectors. Some participants also question the implications of Kepler's laws in this context.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their understanding of the concepts and clarifying their thoughts on the direction of the vectors. There is recognition of the need to accurately depict the vectors based on the principles of motion, but no consensus has been reached on the specific representations.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention that the acceleration is always directed toward point K, and there is a suggestion that the magnitude of the force varies depending on the curvature of the path. Some participants express a lack of familiarity with Kepler's laws, indicating a potential gap in background knowledge relevant to the discussion.

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Homework Statement



http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=physpr3.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=physpr3.jpg

Draw the (a.) direction of velocity of the object and (b.) the direction of the net force on the object for each point and finally (c.) explain why you drew the vectors as you did.

The acceleration varies but is always directed toward point K.

Homework Equations



Work - Energy Theroem

Wnet = KEf - KEi

W = F (dot) d * cos(@)

The Attempt at a Solution



a. all the velocity vectors will be perpendicular to the curve but what I don't know is how to draw the magnitudes ...

b. all the force vectors should be drawn towards point k (Why? because F = ma, and the force will be in the same direction as acceleration) we also know the Force will be bigger near K than Not K because of the magnitued of acceleration will be bigger when the curve is sharper.
 
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toughguy738 said:

Homework Statement



http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=physpr3.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=physpr3.jpg

Draw the (a.) direction of velocity of the object and (b.) the direction of the net force on the object for each point and finally (c.) explain why you drew the vectors as you did.

The acceleration varies but is always directed toward point K.

Homework Equations



Work - Energy Theroem

Wnet = KEf - KEi

W = F (dot) d * cos(@)

The Attempt at a Solution



a. all the velocity vectors will be perpendicular to the curve but what I don't know is how to draw the magnitudes ...

b. all the force vectors should be drawn towards point k (Why? because F = ma, and the force will be in the same direction as acceleration) we also know the Force will be bigger near K than Not K because of the magnitued of acceleration will be bigger when the curve is sharper.

What is your thinking on the Velocity vectors?

Are you familiar with Keplers Laws of planetary motion?
 
LowlyPion said:
What is your thinking on the Velocity vectors?

Are you familiar with Keplers Laws of planetary motion?


We learned last week or so that for an object to go in a curved path that acceleration will be perpendicular to the curve and that velocity will be tangent (so I definetley didn't write that in the 1st post and thanks for catching that)

and no we havnt used/hread of keplers laws
 
toughguy738 said:
We learned last week or so that for an object to go in a curved path that acceleration will be perpendicular to the curve and that velocity will be tangent (so I definetley didn't write that in the 1st post and thanks for catching that)

and no we havnt used/hread of keplers laws

From the statement of the problem a is pointing at all times towards k isn't it?
 

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