Understanding Relative Motion in Circular Motion

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding the relative acceleration of two points, A and B, in circular motion. The initial calculations for acceleration were incorrect due to confusion over the direction of the vectors. It was clarified that the acceleration should be radial rather than tangential, given the constant angular velocity of the disk. The correct relative acceleration was derived by considering the radial components pointing towards the center of the disk. The final expression for the relative acceleration is omega^2*r (i) - omega^2*r (j).
nysnacc
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Homework Statement


13.164.png


Homework Equations


a= omega^2*r

The Attempt at a Solution


a_A/B = a_A - a_B

a_A = 10^2*r (-î)
a_B = 10^2*r (+ĵ)

a_A/B = 10^2*r (-î) - 10^2*r (+ĵ)
=> -200 î -200 ĵ

why is the answer 200 î -200 ĵ (accelerate in +î direction) ?
 
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nysnacc said:

Homework Statement


View attachment 105735

Homework Equations


a= omega^2*r

The Attempt at a Solution


a_A/B = a_A - a_B

a_A = 10^2*r (-î)
a_B = 10^2*r (+ĵ)

a_A/B = 10^2*r (-î) - 10^2*r (+ĵ)
=> -200 î -200 ĵ

why is the answer 200 î -200 ĵ (accelerate in +î direction) ?
The question is asking for the acceleration of A relative to B. What's the acceleration at A and at B independently?

Hint: Check the direction of acceleration vectors.
 
Last edited:
Student100 said:
The question is asking for the acceleration of A relative to B. What's the acceleration at A and at B independently?

Hint: Check the direction of acceleration vectors.

Err... isn't my expression correct..?

a_A = 10^2*r (-î). A is going -x, -y direction
a_B = 10^2*r (+ĵ). B is going -x, +y direction
 
nysnacc said:
Err... isn't my expression correct..?

a_A = 10^2*r (-î). A is going -x, -y direction
a_B = 10^2*r (+ĵ). B is going -x, +y direction

No. Should your acceleration be tangential or radial to the disk? Remeber the disk has constant angular velocity.
 
Student100 said:
No. Should your acceleration be tangential or radial to the disk? Remeber the disk has constant angular velocity.
should be tangential because constant radius??
 
nysnacc said:
should be tangential because constant radius??

Actually it should only have radial acceleration. Can you see why?
 
because constant rotation?
 
so the a_r for B is pointing from point B to Point O
and for A it is pointing from Point A to Point O?
 
nysnacc said:
so the a_r for B is pointing from point B to Point O
and for A it is pointing from Point A to Point O?

Exactly, so what's your relative acceleration now?
 
  • #10

so the a_r for B is omega^2*r (-i)
a_r for A is omega^2*r (-j)

a_A/B = a_A - a_B = -omega^2*r (j) - -omega^2*r (i)
rearrange = omega^2*r (i) - omega^2*r (j)

Got it! Thanks!
 

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