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Re: Free Body Diagram



Allow me to utter the applicable general principles:
1) The linear acceleration vector of a particle can always be de-composed
into tangential (a_t) and centripetal (a_c) components - mutually
perpendicular.
2) Quantitatively, a_t = dv/dt , where v is the particle speed,
and a_c = v^2/R , where R is the instantaneous radius of curvature of the
particle's path.
3) The net force on the particle can also always be de-composed into
tangential F_t and centripetal F_c components.
4) F=ma can thus always be de-composed into:
F_t = mdv/dt , and
F_c = mv^2/R

Remember, dv/dt is here the time rate of change of the particle speed.

Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
trebor@velocity.net
http://www.velocity.net/~trebor

This posting is the position of the writer, not that of SUNY-BSC, NAU or the AAPT.