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A2L Item 133

Meta-Information
Description: 
Recognize the direction of the acceleration of a ball on curved vertical track.
Goal: 
Reasoning with circular motion
Level: 
Undergraduate
Keywords: 
Acceleration
Keywords: 
Mechanics
Keywords: 
Reasoning
Source: 
UMPERG-ctqpe37

A small ball is released from rest at position A and rolls down a vertical circular track under the influence of gravity.

When the ball reaches position B, which of the indicated directions most nearly corresponds to the direction of the ball’s acceleration?

Enter (9) if the direction cannot be determined.

Commentary

Answer

(2) At position B the acceleration has a tangential component and a radial component. Both components can be determined at position B. Worked out carefully one gets 18 degrees above position #2. It is common for students to neglect one component or the other.