- #1
Gauss M.D.
- 153
- 1
Homework Statement
A circular cannister of some reflective liquid is spinning at some ω. The distance between the cannister and the surface is given by
h(r) = h(0) + (ω2/2g)r2
Where g ≈ 9.82 and r is the distance to the axis of revolution. When we shine two parallell laser beams on the surface, we find that they meet at a point 22 cm above the surface.
Find ω.
Homework Equations
f = R/2
The Attempt at a Solution
We have a parabolic mirror with radius of curvature = 0.44 m. But I'm not really sure how to find the equation for a parabola given the curvature. I was well on my way to taking the gradient of the parabola and setting up some kind of system of vector equations, but I suspect that would be overkill...