Simulating a spinning/rolling disk

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around simulating the physics of a coin spinning and rolling on a tabletop. Participants explore the equations and concepts necessary for accurately modeling the motion over time, including aspects of rotational dynamics and constraints related to rolling without slipping.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks equations to explain the physics of a spinning/rolling coin and requests illustrated references.
  • Another participant suggests that there are multiple approaches to the simulation and emphasizes the need for more specific details to provide assistance.
  • A different participant highlights the importance of the torque generated by friction and references Euler's work, noting the complexity of the problem.
  • One participant shares an example of an animation they created, explaining the adjustments made to simulate the motion, including manually altering the disk's radius and banking properties.
  • A participant discusses constraints for rolling without slipping, introducing variables such as the angle of contact and angular rotation, and suggests using the Lagrangian method to derive equations of motion.
  • Participants share links to their work and images related to the simulation, seeking feedback on their understanding of the variables involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views and approaches to the simulation, with no consensus on a single method or equation. Participants express differing opinions on the complexity and requirements of the simulation.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions and constraints related to the motion of the disk, including the effects of friction and the need for initial conditions in the equations of motion. Some details remain unresolved, particularly regarding the specific equations needed for accurate simulation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in physics simulations, particularly those focused on rotational dynamics, mathematical modeling, and animation techniques in a physics context.

atadami
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i am trying to create an animation simulating a coin spinning/rolling on a table top. how can the phyics involved over time be explained in an equation? any references (especially illustrated ones) would be helpful. thanks in advance!
 
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[tex]\vec{F} = m\vec{a}[/tex] :smile:

Sorry for the smartass reply, but there are just too many ways to approach such a simulation, and unless this simulation is exceedingly simple, don't expect just one simple equation. Please be more specific of the details, and i'll be glad to help out.
 
Gza said:
[tex]\vec{F} = m\vec{a}[/tex]

For this type of problem,
[tex]\vec{r}\times\vec{F}=\frac{d\vec{\mathcal{L}}_{G}}{dt}[/tex]
is probably "far more important".
I believe Euler did some initial work on this; but it is still a very difficult problem.
The problem is, I believe, that the frictional torque from the table generates
a very difficult rotational mode for the coin.
 
Last edited:
some illustrations may help

thanks for the help!

here's a quick example of the idea: http://www.geocities.com/atadami/disk.gif

this animation is not accurate to the laws of physics. i just tried to make it look close. to achieve this i manually shortened the disk's distance from the origin (radius) as i rotated it around the origin and increased the disk's bank properties as it rotated towards the origin. i also had to manually lower the disk so it would remain on the table (see explanation below).

my trouble is that the disk is being "controlled" about it's pivot point which is its center point. therefore, as the disk is banking (tilting as it slows down) the lower edge of the disk ends up coming off of the table.
look at this: http://www.geocities.com/atadami/side.gif i need to figure out the equation(s) to make the pivot point lower as the coin banks.

i've also done some experimenting with: [tex]r=ae^{b\theta}[/tex] and was able to create a Logarithmic Spiral path for the disk.
i'm not trying to animate or simulate euler's spinning disk... more rolling... no spinning... sorry if this makes no sense...
 
atadami; Yahoo won't allow others to see your results in this manner
 
If you want rolling without slipping, your constraints are :

[tex]dx - asin\theta d\phi = 0 = dy + acos\theta d\phi[/tex]

[tex]\theta[/tex] is the angle in the x-y plane made by the point of contact,
[tex]\phi[/tex] is the angular rotation of the disc about its central axis, and
'a' is the radius of the disc.

I would solve the Lagrangian with these constraints, to get the equations of motion. You will need to supply initial conditions to get particular solutions.
 
http://www.geocities.com/atadami/

thanks for the replies...

arildno try: http://www.geocities.com/atadami/

Gokul43201 thanks for the help. i will give it a try... could you please take a look at the new image i posted and let me know if i understood the variables you listed correctly? http://www.geocities.com/atadami/

thank you
 

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