What is the Solution to a Confusing Circular Motion Problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves circular motion and the forces acting on particles connected by strings. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the solution, specifically referencing an option they believe to be correct.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Newton's 2nd law in determining the acceleration of a particle in circular motion. There are attempts to analyze free-body diagrams and the net forces acting on the particles. Questions arise regarding the necessity of knowing the separations between masses and the implications of tangential and centripetal accelerations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on drawing free-body diagrams and considering the net forces. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between tensions in the strings and the resulting equations of motion. The original poster indicates they have found clarity, but no consensus has been reached among all participants.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of resolving the problem without complete information about the separations between the masses. There are also references to specific tensions in the strings and their roles in the equations being discussed.

thunderhadron
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The problem is as such :



Attempt to the problem:



The answer is confusing Option D

Thank you all in advance.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Tension is a force and force is related to acceleration via Newton's 2nd law. How do you determine the acceleration of a particle moving in a circle at constant angular speed ##\omega##?

Draw free-body diagrams for each mass. You need to consider the NET force acting on each particle.
 
TSny said:
Draw free-body diagrams for each mass. You need to consider the NET force acting on each particle.

But friend how could it be done without knowing the separations.

If we draw the free body diagram there would be two accelerations - tangential aT and centripetal aR

aR will be along the thread and it will equate the tension. Isn't it?
 
TSny said:
Draw free-body diagrams for each mass. You need to consider the NET force acting on each particle.


 
Last edited by a moderator:
thunderhadron said:
If we draw the free body diagram there would be two accelerations - tangential aT and centripetal aR

Since the only forces acting on the particles are tensions which are radial ,there will be no tangential acceleration.

The FBD in the above post#4 is incorrect.

Let the tension in the string OA be T1,AB be T2 and BC be T3.The length of each string segment be l.

Now for A, T1-T2=mv12/l

For B ,T2-T3=mv22/2l

Similarly you can write eq for C.

From this you will get the desired ratio.
 
Thank you very much friends. I got the answer. Problem has been cleared.
 

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