A circular table is rotating with an angular velocity of ω rad/s about its axis (see figure). There is a smooth groove along a radial direction on the table. A steel ball is gently placed at a distance of 1 m on the groove. All the surface are smooth. If the radius of the table is 3 m, the radial velocity of the ball w.r.t. the table at the time ball leaves the table is x2ω m/s, where the value of x is _____.
Answer: 2
Solution
In the rotating frame, the frictionless groove lets only the centrifugal term act radially: dtdv=ω2r, i.e. vdv=ω2rdr.