Angular momentum thin string problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a cylindrical hoop with a thin string wrapped around it, which is allowed to fall vertically while unwinding from the string. The main focus is on determining the angular momentum of the hoop about its center of mass and the tension in the string as functions of time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster expresses difficulty in visualizing the motion of the hoop as the string unwinds and seeks hints to aid understanding. Another participant questions the presence of tension during free fall, suggesting a need to clarify the forces acting on the hoop.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the dynamics of the system, with one suggesting that the tension has a component that affects the hoop's motion. There is an ongoing examination of the relationship between tension, angular momentum, and the forces involved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes considerations about the forces acting on the hoop and the implications of the hoop's motion as it unwinds, indicating a potential complexity in the problem setup.

aquafina
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A thin string is wrapped around a cylindrical hoop of radius R and mass M. One end of the string is fixed and the hoop is allowed to fall vertically starting from rest, as the string unwinds. a)Determine the angular momentum of the hoop about its CM as a function of time. b)What is the tension in the string as a function of time.

I'm having a hard time even picturing this and how the hoop would rotate as the string unwinded. Some hints would be really helpful, thanks.
 
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Does this help a bit?
 
Last edited:
aquafina said:
A thin string is wrapped around a cylindrical hoop of radius R and mass M. One end of the string is fixed and the hoop is allowed to fall vertically starting from rest, as the string unwinds. a)Determine the angular momentum of the hoop about its CM as a function of time. b)What is the tension in the string as a function of time.
I'm having a hard time even picturing this and how the hoop would rotate as the string unwinded. Some hints would be really helpful, thanks.


Im not sure about A (just starting this in my class), but it seems logical that the object is in free fall, so would their even be a tension?. But then again, it would take a force to make the string unwind..:confused:
 
If you investigate my suggestion you will find that the tension has an x-component which cannot be canceled by any other force. This means that the hoop moves until the tension has no x-component! The hoop is therefore pushed sideways by the tension until the point where the string leaves the hoop is underneath the point where the string is held.Taking the moment of the tension around the com gives:
[tex]\begin{align*}<br /> TR=I\alpha\\<br /> =I\frac{d\omega}{dt}\\<br /> TRdt=Id\omega\\<br /> TR\int_{0}^{t}dt=I\int_{0}^{\omega}d\omega\\<br /> ...<br /> \end{align*}[/tex]
 
Last edited:

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