Question

A block is hung by a string from the inside roof of a van. When the van goes straight ahead at a speed of 32 m/s, the block hangs vertically down. But when the van maintains this same speed around an unbanked curve (radius = 140 m), the block swings toward the outside of the curve. Then the string makes an angle θ with the vertical. Find θ.

Answer 1

well, draw a force triangle.

mg is down, and v^2/r is horizontal

Theta= arctan (horizontal/vertical)

Answer 2

i don't know the mass of the block, so how do I find the force of gravity. theta=arctan of what? because we are looking for the angle. I got acceleration=7.314
and time=27.4889.