Very brief explanation please? - Newt 2nd Law w/ Circular Motion

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around the radial acceleration of a weight in a conical pendulum setup. The user initially confused the forces involved, questioning why T*sin(θ) is used instead of T*cos(θ) for calculating radial acceleration. The correct approach is confirmed as T*sin(θ) being the force component that acts perpendicular to the radial direction, thus providing the necessary radial acceleration. The user later realizes their mistake, clarifying that they were thinking of a standard 2-D pendulum instead of the conical variant.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conical pendulum dynamics
  • Basic knowledge of trigonometric functions (sine and cosine)
  • Familiarity with Newton's laws of motion
  • Concept of radial acceleration in circular motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the dynamics of conical pendulums in detail
  • Learn about the derivation of radial acceleration in circular motion
  • Explore the application of trigonometric functions in physics problems
  • Investigate the differences between conical and simple pendulums
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of circular motion and pendulum dynamics.

mc8569
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
Consider a conical pendulum with a weight on it and that makes some angle with the vertical. I am told to find the radial acceleration of the weight and someone showed me how it is solved but I don't understand why:

I am told to set

Tsin@ = m(ar) *ar = radial acceleration
ar = (Tsin@)/m

I was wondering why it would be T*SIN* instead of T*COS*? Tcos@ would give you the force that is parallel with radial acceleration, Tsin@ gives you a force that is perpendicular to the radial acceleration... Please help me! I don't understand this - only should take a few seconds. Thanks! XP
 
Physics news on Phys.org
AHHHH OHHH NEVERMIND! Sorry... *CONICAL* pendulum, lol I was thinking of a regular, 2-D pendulum. I would delete this if I could, but I can't =\ But no need to respond anyone! So silly!
 

Similar threads

Dynamics of Circular Motion
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
998
Find the acceleration in circular motion
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Acceleration in uniform circular motion is uniform or non-uniform?
  • · Replies 55 ·
2
Replies
55
Views
3K
Circular motion/ speed increases at a constant rate
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Circular motion of a mass on a string on an inclined plane
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Direction of friction in circular motion
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Having a hard time learning Newton's 2nd law
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Newton's 2nd Law: Why is Resistance Considered a Positive Force?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Understanding Newton's 2nd Law of Motion
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Circular Motion Questions (energies, forces, angular velocities, etc.)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K