- #1
Kaevan807
- 15
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This is a mechanics question which has come up a number of times in end of year exams in my college, I hope this is the right forum to post it in.
A particle travels around an elliptical path with a constant speed of 1 m/s. If the equation
of the ellipse is (x^2)/3 + y^2 = 1
Determine the maximum magnitude of the acceleration.
A - (√3)/2
B - 3/2
C - 1/2
D - 0
E - 1
If the equation = (x^2)/(a^2) + (y^2)/(b^2) = 1
Then a = (v^2)/ρ, where ρ is the radius of curvature and is equal to (a^2)/b
Using the above equations gives:
ρ = 3/1 = 3
a = 1/3 which is not an answer provided?
I'm unsure whether the answer should just be zero? As there is no tangential acceleration? Or do I have the wrong formula for calculating the centripetal acceleration?
Any help or explanation would be great :)
Homework Statement
A particle travels around an elliptical path with a constant speed of 1 m/s. If the equation
of the ellipse is (x^2)/3 + y^2 = 1
Determine the maximum magnitude of the acceleration.
A - (√3)/2
B - 3/2
C - 1/2
D - 0
E - 1
Homework Equations
If the equation = (x^2)/(a^2) + (y^2)/(b^2) = 1
Then a = (v^2)/ρ, where ρ is the radius of curvature and is equal to (a^2)/b
The Attempt at a Solution
Using the above equations gives:
ρ = 3/1 = 3
a = 1/3 which is not an answer provided?
I'm unsure whether the answer should just be zero? As there is no tangential acceleration? Or do I have the wrong formula for calculating the centripetal acceleration?
Any help or explanation would be great :)