Will an Object Launched Through a Curved Tube Travel Straight or Curve?

In summary, when an object is launched at high speeds from one end of a circular piece of tubing, it will continue in a straight line upon exiting the other end, unless affected by external forces such as gravity or a specific interaction like a curve ball in baseball. The direction of the curve will not necessarily be towards the end it was launched from.
  • #1
atomant
27
1
supposing there was a circular piece of tubing that was cut in half, we name the 2 ends A and B. Then into the end A we put in an object and launch it at high speeds. Now my question is, when the object exits from B will it travel in a st. line or will it curve?..if it does curve, will it be in the direction of A?
 
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  • #2
atomant said:
supposing there was a circular piece of tubing that was cut in half, we name the 2 ends A and B. Then into the end A we put in an object and launch it at high speeds. Now my question is, when the object exits from B will it travel in a st. line or will it curve?..if it does curve, will it be in the direction of A?

You can look at this as an exercise into the Law of Inertia. When the ball leaves B (ignoring the force of gravity) the ball will continue in motion in a straight line because there is nothing to keep it from doing so. (If we are doing this on the Earth, then yes the ball travels in a parabola, just like any other projectile.)

-Dan
 
  • #3
Right. Please do not assume that "curving" the path of a moving projectile prior to release somehow imparts any tendency for the released projectile to continue curving.
There are notable exceptions, such as "curve ball" in baseball, but a curve ball works due to an entirely different interaction than the one you are describing.
 

FAQ: Will an Object Launched Through a Curved Tube Travel Straight or Curve?

What is circular motion curve direction?

Circular motion curve direction is the direction in which an object moves along a circular path. It is determined by the direction of the object's velocity vector, which is tangent to the circular path at any given point.

How does the direction of the circular motion curve affect an object's motion?

The direction of the circular motion curve affects an object's motion because it determines the object's acceleration. If the direction of the curve changes, the object's acceleration will also change, causing it to speed up or slow down.

What is the difference between clockwise and counterclockwise circular motion?

The difference between clockwise and counterclockwise circular motion is the direction of rotation. Clockwise motion is when an object moves in a clockwise direction, or in the same direction as the hands of a clock. Counterclockwise motion is when an object moves in the opposite direction, or against the direction of the hands of a clock.

How can you determine the direction of a circular motion curve?

The direction of a circular motion curve can be determined by looking at the object's velocity vector. If the vector is pointing in a clockwise direction, the curve will be clockwise. If the vector is pointing in a counterclockwise direction, the curve will be counterclockwise.

What is centripetal force and how does it relate to circular motion curve direction?

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving along a circular path. It always acts towards the center of the circle and is responsible for maintaining the circular motion of the object. The direction of the centripetal force is always perpendicular to the velocity vector, which determines the direction of the circular motion curve.

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