Qa_24

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course PHY 201

7/5/2012 1:25

Samantha RogersPHY 201

Qa 24

024. Centripetal Acceleration

 

 

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Question:  `q001.  Note that this assignment contains 4 questions.

 

.  Note that this assignment contains 4 questions.

 

When an object moves a constant speed around a circle a force is necessary to keep changing its direction of motion.  This is because any change in the  direction of motion entails a change in the velocity of the object.  This is because velocity is a vector quantity, and if the direction of a vector changes, then the vector and hence the velocity has changed.   The acceleration of an object moving with constant speed v around a circle of radius r has magnitude v^2 / r, and the acceleration is directed toward the center of the circle.  This results from a force directed toward the center of the circle.  Such a force is  called a centripetal (meaning toward the center) force, and the acceleration is called a centripetal acceleration.

 

If a 12 kg mass travels at three meters/second around a circle of radius five meters, what centripetal force is required?

 

 

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Your solution: 

 

 We find this by the product of mass and centripetal acceleration; therefore, we find the acceleration to be [(3 m/s)^2]/ 5 m = (9 m^2/s^2)/ 5 m = 1.8 m/s^2, which gives us a force of 12 kg * 1.8 m/s^2 = 21.6 N.

 

confidence rating #$&*:8232; 

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Given Solution: 

The centripetal acceleration of the object is v^2 / r = (3 meters/second) ^ 2/(5 meters) = 1.8 meters/second ^  2.  The centripetal force, by Newton's Second Law, must therefore be Fcent = 12 kg * 1.8 meters/second ^ 2.

 

 

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Self-critique (if necessary): ok

 

 

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Self-critique rating: 3 

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Question:  `q002.  How fast must a 50 g mass at the end of a string of length 70 cm be spun in a circular path in order to break the string, which has a breaking strength  of 25 Newtons?

 

 

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Your solution: 

 

 We find this velocity by setting the force necessary to break this string equal to the centripetal force. This is found to be 25 N = 0.05 kg * ( v^2/ .7 m); therefore, 500 m/s^2 = v^2/ .6 m, which gives us 833.34 m^2/s^2 = v^2, which gives us 28.87 m/s = v.

  

 

 

confidence rating #$&*:32; 

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Given Solution: 

The centripetal acceleration as speed v will be v^2 / r, where r = 70 cm = .7 meters.  The centripetal force  will therefore be m v^2 / r, where m is the 50 g = .05 kg mass.  If F stands for the 25 Newton breaking force, then we have

 

m v^2 / r =  F, which we solve for v to obtain

 

v = `sqrt(F * r / m).  Substituting the given values we obtain

 

v = `sqrt( 25 N * .7 meters / (.05 kg) ) = `sqrt( 25 kg m/s^2 * .7 m / (.05 kg) ) = `sqrt(350 m^2 / s^2) = 18.7 m/s.

 

 

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Self-critique (if necessary):

 

 I mistyped the .7 m and made it .6 in the second step and beyond.

I divided by the .6 m instead of multiplying in the final step.

 

 

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Self-critique rating: 3 

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Question:  `q003.  What is the maximum number of times per second the mass in the preceding problem can travel around its circular path before the string breaks?

 

 

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Your solution: 

 

 We can use v=2(pi)R/T to find T of .24 s/revolution.

confidence rating #$&*:8232; 

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Given Solution: 

The maximum possible speed of the mass was found in the preceding problem to be 18.7 meters/second.  The  path of the mass is a circle of radius 70 cm = .7 meters.  The distance traveled along this path in a single revolution is 2 `pi r = 2 `pi * .7 meters = 4.4 meters, approximately.  At 18.7 meters/second, the mass will travel around the circle 18.7/4.4 = 4.25 times  every second.

 

STUDENT COMMENT:

 

I read through the solution but still wouldn't be able to solve this. 
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

 

The question comes down to this:

At 18.7 m/s (the result found in the preceding), how many times will the mass travel around a circle of radius .7 meters in 1 second?
The circumference of the circle is about 4.4 meters, so at 18.7 m/s the object will go around the circle a little over 4 times in 1 second. 

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Self-critique (if necessary):

my equation didn't work, but i understand the correct approach 

 

 

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Self-critique rating: 3 

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Question:  `q004.  Explain in terms of basic intuition why a force is required to keep a mass traveling any circular path. 

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Your solution: 

 

 

 The acceleration must always be toward the center and there is only a velocity change when a Force is present.

  

 

confidence rating #$&*:8232; 

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Given Solution: 

We simply can't change the direction of motion of a massive object without giving it some sort of a push.   Without such a force an object in motion will remain in motion along a straight line and with no change in speed.

 

If your car coasts in  a circular path, friction between the tires and the road surface pushes the car toward the center of the circle, allowing it to  maintain its circular path.  If you try to go too fast, friction won't be strong enough to keep you in the circular path and you will skid out of the circle.

 

In order to maintain a circular orbit around the Earth, a satellite requires  the force of gravity to keep pulling it toward the center of the circle.  The satellite must travel at a speed v such that v^2 / r is equal to the acceleration provided by Earth's gravitational field.

 

STUDENT RESPONSE (good intuition but statement isn't quite right)

 

Something has to keep the momentum going for anything in a circular path to continue. Otherwise, it will fly off in a vector.
INSTRUCTOR CRITIQUE

 

Nothing is required to keep something moving in a straight line; in the absence of a force it will maintain its momentum, in the same direction as the original.
The force is required to cause the object to deviation from its 'natural' straight-line motion.

 

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Self-critique (if necessary): ok

 

 

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Self-critique rating: 3"

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