Mechanics: Circular Motion and Gravitation
Circular Motion and Gravitation: Audio Guided Solution
Problem 9:
In an effort to rev up his class, Mr. H does a demonstration with a bucket of water tied to a 1.3-meter long string. The bucket and water have a mass of 1.8 kg. Mr. H whirls the bucket in a vertical circle such that it has a speed of 3.9 m/s at the top of the loop and 6.4 m/s at the bottom of the loop.
a. Determine the acceleration of the bucket at each location.
b. Determine the net force experienced by the bucket at each location.
c. Draw a free body diagram for the bucket for each location and determine the tension force in the string for the two locations.
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BOTTOM: 32 m/s/s, up
b. TOP: 21 N, down
BOTTOM: 57 N, up
c. TOP: 3.4 N
BOTTOM: 74 N
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- Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
- Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., m = 61.7 kg, v= 18.5 m/s, R = 30.9 m, Fnorm = ???.
- Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
- Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
- Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.
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Get more information on the topic of Circular Motion and Gravitation at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.
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