NORMAL AND TANGENTIAL COMPONENTS OF ACCELERATION

PROBLEM STATEMENT 12.16 – The boxes in Fig. 12-29a travel along the industrial conveyor.
2
If a box as in Fig. 12-29b starts from rest at A and increases its speed such that a t=( 0.2 t ) m/ s ,
where t is in seconds, determine the magnitude of its acceleration when it arrives at point B.
GIVEN: Fig.12-29(a,b&c)

PROBLEM CONCEPT:
The concept of this “Normal and Tangential Components of Acceleration” problem is to
determine the magnitude of the box acceleration when it arrives at point B given that it starts
from rest at point A and it increases its speed a t=( 0.2 t ) m/ s2 where t is in seconds. The formula
v2
to determine acceleration is a t=i and a n= .
p
SOLUTION:
Coordinate System. The position of the box at any instant is defined from the fixed point A using
the position or path coordinate s, Fig.12-29b. The acceleration is to be determined at B, so the
origin of the n, t axes is at this point.

v2
Acceleration. To determine the acceleration components a t=i and a n= , it is first necessary to
p
formulate v and i so that they may be evaluated at B. Since v a=0 when t=0 , then
The time needed for the box to reach point B can be determined by realizing that the position of
2 π (2)
B is sb =3+ =6.142m , Fig.12-29b, since sa =0 when t=0 we have
4

Substituing into Eqs. 1 and 2 yields

At B, ρ B=2 m, so that

The magnitude of a B . Fig.12.29c, is therefore

SOLUTION INTERPRETATION:
In order to solve this problem you need to analyze it first so that when you start solving the
problem you already know what the steps you need to do. After analyzing the problem
determine the formulas that can be used in order to solve the required of the problem which is
2
the acceleration of the box when it arrives at B when a t=( 0.2 t ) m/ s . After formulating v and i
start substituting the given. The answer to this problem is a B=5.36 m/ s2.
ERRATIC MOTION
PROBLEM STATEMENT 12.43 – A two-stage missile is fired vertically from rest with the
acceleration shown. In 15s the first stage A burns out and the second stage B ignites. Plot the
v−t and s−t graphs which describe the two-stage motion and the missile for 0 ≤ t ≤ 20 s.
GIVEN:

PROBLEM CONCEPT:

The concept of this “Erratic Motion” problem is to plot the v−t and s−t graphs which describe
the two-stage motion and the missile for 0 ≤ t ≤ 20 s.
SOLUTION:

Since v=∫ adt ,the constant lines of a-t graph become sloping lines for the v-t graph.

The numerical values for each point are calculated from the total area under the a-t graph to the
point.

Since s=∫ vdt the sloping lines of the v-t graph become parabolic curves for the s-t graph.

The numerical values of each point are calculated from the total area under the v-t graph to the
point.
SOLUTION INTERPRETATION:
In order to plot the v−t and s−t graphs which describe the two-stage motion and the missile for
0 ≤ t ≤ 20 s. We need to solve the value of each points for us to be able to plot the line using the
formulas v=∫ adt and s=∫ vdt .