Universal Gravitation Ice Rink Problem

[physicsbhelp]

[SOLVED] Universal Gravitation Ice Rink Problem! :)

never mind

 

[Astronuc]

maybe Ug= Gm1m2 / r² would give a very small number, even though r is small.

The skater rotate in a mutual circle, so the centripetal force of one equals to force of the other.

What is the period of rotation, in which each skater turns 2\pi rad?

Each skater represents a mass 60 kg at a distance of 0.8 m from the axis of rotation.

 

[t-money]

Choose a skater, from their point of view the other skater is moving in a circle around them, the arms are applying a centripetal force (tension).

 

[Saladsamurai]

so m4pi^2R / T^2 = m4pi^2R / T^2 ?

It seems as though you are are just picking random equations without any rhyme or reason. Why do you think this has something to do with universal gravitation?

The first thing you neee to ask yourself is "what is the question asking me?" In this case it is asking for a force.

Secondly ask "have I been given all of the information necessary to calculate this force?" In this case no.

Third "Do I have enough information to derive or generate the information needed to calculate the force?" In this case...definitely.

Now what do you know about force in general?

Casey

 

[Saladsamurai]

Well...possibly. I myself have never used that equation. But no matter, you are missing my point. What do you know about what ALL forces equal?

Hint: Newton's 2nd

Casey

also wouldn't the two skaters have equal force since they have equal mass and equal radius so they would be pulling on each other with equal force? right?

I think you are correct here.

 

[Saladsamurai]

Now we are onto something. You know mass, now what kind of acceleration is it?
Hint: It always points towards the center
Casey

 

[Saladsamurai]

The mass is the combined mass. I am not sure why you insist that gravity has anything to do with this.

Picture two people holding hands a spinning in a circle. Now the circle being made is on the horizontal! Where does gravity come in?

Now what kind of acceleration always points to the center?

You already told me we are looking for CENTRIPETAL force right...

 

[Saladsamurai]

Yes! Now how do you find centripetal acceleration? What is the formula?

 

[Saladsamurai]

well the formula that my teacher gave me was 4pi^2R / T^2
but i don't know what T (the period) is and is R 0.8
also where does mas fit in?

Well...if you want to go that route you DO know the period. What is the definition of the period T? Isn't it the amount of time in seconds it takes to complete one cycle?

Also a_{centripetal}=\frac{v^2}{r}

Have you learned about centripetal acceleration and tangential velocity, etc...?

 

[Saladsamurai]

Okay I see where that formula comes from... anyway, according to the definition of T that I gave you above, you should be able to see what T is in the 1st post.

Casey

 

[Saladsamurai]

Okay, so you have found T=3. Now using your teachers formula: if
f=ma then
f=m*a_centripetal
=m*4pi^2R / T^2

 

[Saladsamurai]

The formula you had is correct m*4pi^2R / T^2

If you want to know why, it is because:

f_c=m*a_c

\Rightarrow f_c=m*\frac{v^2}{r} where v= the amount of time T it takes to complete a circle where the distance around a circle is 2pi*r so substituting that into the formula gives

f_c=m*(\frac{2\pi*r}{T})^2*\frac{1}{r}

which simplifies to your formula.

Casey

 

[Saladsamurai]

I don't have a calculator handy, but it looks much more reasonable now!

 

[Saladsamurai]

I don't see your other post. what is it called?

 

[cristo]

physicsbhelp; please don't delete your posts after your question has been answered: it makes the thread totally useless for anyone else!