Calculating Acceleration of a Yo-Yo Using Torque and Moment of Inertia

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration of a yo-yo using its mass, small radius, and large radius, while considering torque and moment of inertia. Participants are exploring the relationships between these variables and the resulting acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the necessary data for calculating acceleration, with some questioning the dimensions provided. There are attempts to relate torque, moment of inertia, and acceleration through various equations. Some participants express confusion over the calculations and the relationships between the variables.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing hints and exploring different interpretations of the equations involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of the parallel axis theorem and the relationships between torque and acceleration, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential confusion regarding unit conversions and the interpretation of the problem's parameters. Some participants note discrepancies in calculations and assumptions about the dimensions of the yo-yo.

Liokh
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What would be the acceleration of a yo-yo if these are my datas:

m= 10.456g
r(small) = 0.7mm
R= 1.9mm

Now on I've had accelerations varying from 0.006m/s² to 930m/s² -yeah right...

Worked on that prrety all of the time today and all I got left is a few so that I'm really in a hurry right now.
 
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You haven't enough data, as far as I can tell.
 
Liokh said:
What would be the acceleration of a yo-yo if these are my datas:

m= 10.456g
r(small) = 0.7mm
R= 1.9mm

Now on I've had accelerations varying from 0.006m/s² to 930m/s² -yeah right...

Worked on that prrety all of the time today and all I got left is a few so that I'm really in a hurry right now.
Think of the torque of the centre of mass of the yo-yo about the point of tangential contact with the string:

[tex]\tau = mgr_{small} = I\alpha[/tex]

where I is the moment of inertia of the yo-yo about that small radius. Use the parallel axis theorem to work that out.

Use the relationship between [itex]\alpha[/itex] and acceleration to find the acceleration of the centre of mass.

Are you sure these dimensions are mm and not cm? That is one awfully small yo-yo!

AM
 
Liokh said:
What would be the acceleration of a yo-yo if these are my datas:

m= 10.456g
r(small) = 0.7mm
R= 1.9mm

Now on I've had accelerations varying from 0.006m/s² to 930m/s² -yeah right...

Worked on that prrety all of the time today and all I got left is a few so that I'm really in a hurry right now.
SOLUTION HINTS:
{Yoyo Small Radius} = r = (0.7 mm) = (7e(-4) meters)
{Yoyo Large Radius} = R = (1.9 mm) = (1.9e(-3) meters)
{Yoyo Mass} = (10.456 g) = (1.0456e(-2) kg)
{Yoyo Moment of Inertia about CM Axis} = I = (1/2)*m*(R^2)
{Force Acting Thru CM} = F = m*a
{Gravitational Force on Yoyo} = m*g
{String Tension on Yoyo} = T
{Torque from String Tension about CM Axis} = τ = r*T

For Linear Motion of CM:
F = m*a =
= T - mg
::: ⇒ a = (T/m) - g ::: <---- Eq #1

For Rotational Motion about CM axis:
τ = I*α = (1/2)*m*(R^2)*{-a/r} =
= r*T ::: <---- Torque from tension "T" acting at radius "r"
::: ⇒ T = -(1/2)*m*a*(R/r)^2 ::: <---- Eq #2

Placing Eq #2 into Eq #1:
a = -(1/2)*a*(R/r)^2 - g
::: ⇒ a*{1 + (1/2)*(R/r)^2} = -g

Solve for "a" in terms of "R" and "r" (and "g"), values for which are given in the problem statement.


~~
 
Last edited:
something is wrong with your calculation
I think T is confused with τ and R^2*-a/r is derived into a*(R/r)^2
otherwise the answer makes sense either way (r² or r)
lastly, you're corect sir Mason, I did translate my cm in mm AND add the mm sign therefore doing the process twice.
 
Liokh said:
lastly, you're corect sir Mason, I did translate my cm in mm AND add the mm sign therefore doing the process twice.
Ok. So here is how I see it (which is equivalent to xanthym's approach):

[tex]\tau = mgr = I\alpha = I(a/r) = (\frac{1}{2}mR^2 + mr^2)\frac{a}{r}[/tex]

[tex]a = \frac{gr^2}{(\frac{1}{2}R^2 + r^2)} = \frac{2g}{(\frac{R^2}{r^2} + 2)}[/tex]

I get a = 2.1 m/sec^2

AM
 

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