What Is the Acceleration of a Rolling Sphere on an Inclined Plane?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a solid sphere rolling down an inclined plane at a 30-degree angle. Participants are discussing the acceleration of the sphere's center of mass while considering the forces acting on it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to identify the forces acting on the sphere and how they relate to the acceleration. Questions arise regarding the implications of rolling without slipping and the application of Newton's laws.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the identification of forces and the need to apply Newton's laws for both translation and rotation.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the concept of rolling without slipping, and participants are encouraged to consider multiple forces acting on the sphere, which may not have been fully defined yet.

UrbanXrisis
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A solid shere of mass M and radius R rolls without slipping down an inclined plane whose incline angle with the horizontal is 30 degrees. What is the acceleration of the sphere's center of mass?

gsinX is the acceleration, so it would be g/2 right?
 
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No. While [itex]mg \sin \theta[/itex] is the component of the ball's weight along the incline, it is not the only force acting on the ball.
 
A solid shere of mass M and radius R rolls without slipping down an inclined plane whose incline angle with the horizontal is 30 degrees.
 
still not sure what you mean... so it doesn't slip, so what?
 
Start by identifying all the forces acting on the sphere. (Hint: I count 3)
 
force of friction, normal force, and force of gravity
 
Right. To solve for the acceleration, you'll need to apply Newton's 2nd law for both translation and rotation.
 
The point of "rolling without slipping" is that the sphere makes on complete revolution while going a distance [itex]2\pi R[/itex]
 

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