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2 votes
2 answers
224 views

Difference in answer using relative motion and that without (Newtonian Mechanics)

The question: Two bodies move in a straight line towards each other at initial velocities $v_1$ and $v_2$ and with constant accelerations $a_1$ and $a_2$ directed against the corresponding ...
2 votes
4 answers
1k views

Uniform Circular Motion w/ Tension and Friction

So I had a problem today which I couldn't make any sense of. I don't have access to it at the moment but this is a pretty accurate approximation. Basically, a mass (m) is swinging horizontally on ...
0 votes
1 answer
28 views

Why is the tangent of the rear wheel path of a bicycle parallel to the frame?

In "bicycle problems" (made famous for example by the book "Which Way Did the Bicycle Go?") the relevant point is the following: If $r(t)$ and $f(t)$ are the points of contact of ...
0 votes
1 answer
90 views

Derivative of the product of a scalar function and a vector valued function

According to Berkeley Physics Course, Volume 1 Mechanics, The time derivative of a vector valued function can be derived from the formula: $$ \mathbf{r}(t) = r(t)\mathbf{\hat{r}}(t) $$ where the ...
3 votes
1 answer
242 views

Kinematics of a rolling disk on a static disk (variation of the Euler disk)

I'm puzzled by the following problem. Consider a simple tilted disk $\mathcal{D}$ of radius 1 (in any unit) rolling without sliding on top of a static horizontal disk $\mathcal{S}$. The normal $\...
0 votes
2 answers
54 views

The No Slip/Slip Condition for Rotating/Rotating and Translating Bodies

Consider a sphere of radius $r$ that is rolling on a rough surface, where its translational velocity $v$ is equal to $\omega r$, where $w$ is the angular velocity of its rotation. In this case, I ...
0 votes
1 answer
43 views

Work Done by kinetic friction in Circular Motion

We know when an object is moving in a circular motion on a rough horizontal surface, direction of kinetic friction is constantly. Thus, fto calculate the work doen by friction, we need to use ...
1 vote
3 answers
82 views

How much time does it take for an object to fall from space? [closed]

Let's say there's an object of mass $m$ in space, $h$ meters away from the surface of the Earth. $h$ is large enough that $g$ cannot be assumed to be constant. The acceleration varies according to ...
0 votes
0 answers
21 views

Position and displacement vector in Arc coordinate system

In Arc coordinate system the position of the particle is given by the length of the path(which is pre-determined and may also be curved) that it has travelled so how can we write it's position vector ...
0 votes
0 answers
27 views

How to mathematically model a lumped-mass cable model?

I am trying to simulate a 2D cable as a lumped-mass model. I think that it's like a chain of pendulums and I would preferably like to be damped. Just to make sure, this is the cable model that I'm ...
0 votes
1 answer
88 views

Why don't they use golf ball dimples on bullets or cannon balls? [duplicate]

Dimples help the golf ball to fly far. But do you know why they don't use them on bullets or cannon balls? Some kinds of cannon ball have similar size as a golf ball.
0 votes
4 answers
213 views

Why acceleration is not always parallel to velocity but velocity is always parallel to displacement? [closed]

Velocity is derivative of displacement : $$\vec v=\frac{\mathrm {d\vec r}}{\mathrm dt}$$ And acceleration is derivative of velocity. $$\vec a=\frac{\mathrm {d\vec v}}{\mathrm dt}$$ Given that their ...
0 votes
1 answer
129 views

Absolute Angular Velocity - How to use?

From my dynamics course, we were introduced to the so-called absolute angular velocity of a rigid body. Below is a short diagram: The following equation for the velocity of point P on a rigid body is ...
-1 votes
4 answers
100 views

Understanding velocity as a vector quantity [closed]

Why is velocity classified as a vector quantity. Can it be explained by the same way as force referring to the Phys.SE post Where am I confused about force addition?
-4 votes
3 answers
92 views

How do you prove the formula for momentum? [closed]

I am just an absolute beginner to physics. I've seen a proof of the formula for momentum using Newton's second law of motion, but to prove Newton's second law of motion you have to use the formula for ...
0 votes
1 answer
92 views

Why isn't work $Fd \sec \theta$? [closed]

In the following image if force the triangle PAN was right angle at P then the component of force in the direction of displacement would be $F\sec\theta$ so work $F*Displacement(AC)*\sec \theta $. I ...
1 vote
6 answers
226 views

How to determine whether an object is a point object?

I know that we can consider an object as point object, if its size is negligible as compared to distance traveled by it in reasonable amount of time. But in my book Ncert there is questions which asks ...
2 votes
0 answers
80 views

Equation of Motion of Rigid Body Represented by Twist and Derivative of Twist

This question is an extension of question Understanding terms Twist and Wrench. Assuming there is a rigid body with body twist denoted as $\mathcal{V}_{b}=\left(\boldsymbol \omega_{b}, \boldsymbol v_{...
12 votes
2 answers
16k views

Understanding terms Twist and Wrench

In kinematics, physics and especially robotics, we often encounter the terms Twist and Wrench. Twist is (LinearVelocity, AngularVelocity) and Wrench is (Force, Torque). The reason I'm confused is I ...
4 votes
0 answers
166 views

Why is the ratio of components of kinetic energy equal to the ratio of kinetic energy to total energy for a projectile whose range is maximized?

The launch angle $\theta$ that maximizes the range of a projectile in a uniform gravitational field is \begin{align} \theta = \arctan\left(\frac{v_o}{\sqrt{v_o^2 + 2gh}}\right), \tag{1} \end{align} ...
1 vote
1 answer
182 views

Bouncing a ball on an elevator that is ascending

My question may be simple but I'm curious, let's say I start bouncing a ball like a footballer with my foot on an elevator, and it starts moving upwards (with acceleration) and then it stabilises ...
-1 votes
3 answers
415 views

Do we know how matter moves matter? [closed]

I was surprised when reading an apologetics book recently that attempted a rebuttal of the claim that "An immaterial mind cannot interact with the physical order." Here was the response: ...
3 votes
1 answer
303 views

Relation between "method of moving frames", spin connection, Cartan forms, and classic rotational kinematics in $\mathbb{E}^n$

I want to know how the "method of moving frames" involving things like connection 1-forms, torsion 2-forms, spin connections, etc. are applied to basic rotational kinematics in flat 3-space (...
-1 votes
1 answer
455 views

How to find the direction of acceleration if an object is changing its direction of velocity but not magnitude then how we can find the direction

I am new at this topic so please do mind if my question doest make sense to you.I am trying to find out that what will be the direction of acceleration if object changes Direction of velocity but not ...
0 votes
2 answers
55 views

Is the way of determining my angle of vector wrong or am I using the wrong formula for calculating magnitude of resultant? [closed]

i) Two balls A and B are simultaneously projected from top of building at 10m/s upward and 20m/s downward. Find distance between them after 3s? (Answer: 90m) There are two magnitude of resultant ...
0 votes
1 answer
94 views

Velocity and acceleration of a ball shot uphill [closed]

Consider a ramp of length $100$ m and with a height of $10$ m. At the base of that ramp we're shooting a ball of mass $12$ kg uphill. Let's say the ball has a speed of $1$ m/s at $1$ m uphill. How can ...
3 votes
2 answers
197 views

Physical meaning of $dx/dt$ for objects of changing length

I was solving '200 Puzzling Problems in Physics' as a recreational activity and I encountered this beautiful question which surprised me as I understood a basic flaw in my conceptual understanding. ...
0 votes
5 answers
1k views

Do released objects take the direction and speed of their parent frame's velocity, or just the parent frame's speed component?

Context: I'm working on a space game. I noticed that an unpowered object fired from a strafing spaceship appeared, as the released object moved, to curve in the direction the ship was strafing. This ...
1 vote
1 answer
78 views

Elastic potential energy in vertical simple harmonic motion

When we calculate gravitational potential energy, we use a reference point as a zero-line. That is, we set the gravitational potential energy to zero at a specific point (usually the ground). Now, ...
1 vote
1 answer
60 views

Conceptual difficulty with with component accelerations in polar coordinates

In kinematics why is the acceleration along the radius not the time derivative of the velocity along that radius?
0 votes
1 answer
138 views

Question about period and frequency

In the context of uniform circular motion, I have been so informed that period ($\tau$) is properly measured in seconds; and that frequency ($f$) in inverse seconds. Why is this the case? Wouldn't the ...
30 votes
4 answers
73k views

Difference between momentum and kinetic energy

From a mathematical point of view it seems to be clear what's the difference between momentum and $mv$ and kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2} m v^2$. Now my problem is the following: Suppose you want to ...
2 votes
2 answers
281 views

When a car curves, if friction points towards the centre which force makes the wheel rotate?

The translational motion of the wheel is due to the friction right. If friction is towards the centre during a turn, which provides the translational motion to the wheels? Or is it the component of ...
0 votes
1 answer
97 views

Angle, and maximum area of projectile motion accounting air resistance

Recently I was wondering about what will happen to the particle when subjected various elevation angle of projectile motion if we account air resistance. I want to know what the angle of elevation ...
0 votes
0 answers
31 views

What was the professor counting regarding constraint forces? [duplicate]

I am taking a mechanics class at university. Last week we started describing movement over a curve; we are given a natural parametrisation $s(t)$, and then we have the following relations: $$ \vec{r}(...
0 votes
1 answer
110 views

Trajectory of particle thrown from the center of rotating frame of reference

So we have a rotating platform with two frames o reference: the one which is static, $O:\{x,y,z\}$, and the one wich is rotating along the platform, $O':\{x',y',z'\}\ (z\equiv z')$. The platform is ...
3 votes
4 answers
249 views

Irreversibility Aristoteles law of motion

I am watching the second lecture from the theoretical minimum and do not understand the argumentation of Susskind. For those who do not want to watch the video. It is about the law of motion from ...
1 vote
1 answer
71 views

Relation between fixed constraints and time derivative of the Lagrangian

I have had some trouble interpreting and proving the following statement from Fasano, Marmi's "Analytical Mechanics" (page 139): "... ${\partial L}/{\partial t} \neq 0$ (1) only if the ...
1 vote
0 answers
44 views

Violation of conservation of energy [duplicate]

Sand runs from a hopper at a constant rate $\frac{dm}{dt}$ onto a horizontal conveyer belt driven at a constant speed $v$ by a motor. The power needed to drive the belt can be calculated as follows: ...
1 vote
1 answer
63 views

Determining the trajectory of a particle given the tangential and normal accelerations

Consider a particle with tangential and normal accelerations $\vec{a_T}(t)$ and $\vec{a_N}(t)$ respectively ($t$ is time). If the initial velocity and position vectors are both $\vec{0}$, how can the ...
1 vote
0 answers
29 views

Explicit Example of Computing the Action [closed]

I have been dealing with this problem for awhile and I have almost given up. I am asked to compute the action for a free particle going from $x = x_0 = 0$ at time $t = t_0=0$ to its end point $x = x_1 ...
0 votes
2 answers
239 views

Angle of projection for the minimum time of flight for a given range

If a projectile has to cover a fixed range under gravity, then what should be the angle of projection for the total time of flight to be minimum? The initial and final point of the projectile are both ...
3 votes
1 answer
241 views

In real life, why is space of states or state-space defined only by position and velocity?

My book defines state-space as "the collection of all possible states of the system." For example, the state-space of a coin is heads or tails. It also said that in our world, state-space is defined ...
0 votes
2 answers
434 views

Integrating Angular Velocity Vector using Rodrigues' Rotation Formula

My understanding is that Rodrigues Rotation Formula can be used to explicitly compute an exact rotation associated with a constant angular velocity vector over a given time step. How do you derive the ...
1 vote
1 answer
59 views

Statistical Analysis of motion under central force

My question is very simple. If we were to plot the motion of a particle inside circular walls governed by a central attractive force with perfectly elastic collisions, would the statistics of the ...
2 votes
3 answers
437 views

Can something have momentum but not velocity?

The idea of momentum is fundamental, even more fundamental than velocity or mass. But I was wondering can momentum exist without velocity, since momentum can exist without needing mass? Thinking ...
0 votes
0 answers
73 views

Necessary and sufficient conditions for periodic motion

Let us fix a reference frame $S$ with origin in $O$ in the euclidean space $\Bbb R^3$, then let us also define a periodic motion in the following manner: A motion is periodic if and only if the time-...
1 vote
1 answer
450 views

Is a reasonable assumption to consider that the contact point of the Euler's Disk (with stationary center of mass) trace this finite bounded spiral?

Is a reasonable assumption to consider that the contact point of the Euler's Disk (with stationary center of mass) trace this finite bounded spiral? This question is highly related to working with the ...
2 votes
1 answer
93 views

Car moving on a ball in space

Consider a car of mass $m$ moving on the surface of a ball (think of it as earth) with moment of inertia $I$, floating in a vacuum. Let the car slowly (adiabatically) drive around the circle of ...
0 votes
2 answers
60 views

When does a free body moving on a smooth circular path make a complete revolution?

If we have a body like the one below , What will be the minimum initial velocity $V_0$ to complete one revolution, My assumption was that it has to reach $\theta=180$ ,But how do I describe this ...

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