Let me preface this by saying that I’m not looking for a solution, but rather a few hints to get me started. I’m sure that this is an almost ridiculously easy problem, but for some reason I’ve gotten stumped on it. This is a homework problem, but I really don’t want any sort of answer; I need to learn the material and solving it myself is the best way to do that. With that being said, here’s the problem:
A particle of mass m slides on a smooth horizontal table. P is connected to a second particle Q of mass M by a light inextensible string which passes through a small smooth hole in the table, so that Q hangs below the table while P moves on top. Initially, Q is held stationary and P rotates at a constant radius r[sub]0[/sub] with constant angular velocity w[sub]0[/sub]. If Q is released at t=0, what is its acceleration immediately afterward?
Now, I’m pretty sure I have to switch to cylindrical coordinates, but I’m unsure how to proceed after that. Can any physics dopers lend a hand?