Chapter 6, Problem 52PQ

Harry sets some clay (m = 3.25 kg) on the edge of a pottery wheel (r = 0.600 m), which is initially motionless. He then begins to rotate the wheel with a uniform acceleration, reaching a final angular speed of 2.400 rev/s in 3.00 s, while not touching the clay. As a result, the clay is subject to a tangential and centripetal acceleration while it sits on the edge of the wheel.

a. What force is responsible for the tangential acceleration, and what force is responsible for the centripetal acceleration?

b. Which of these two forces, tangential or centripetal, will necessarily fail to keep the clay in place on the wheel first? Why?