Rotational Inertial and Torque question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in rotational dynamics, specifically focusing on the relationship between torque, moment of inertia, and angular speed of a rotating object. The scenario involves a top with a given moment of inertia, tension in a string, and a specified length of string pulled.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of angular speed from linear distance and question the necessary parameters, such as the radius of the peg. There is a mention of using torque and moment of inertia to derive angular acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion has seen various attempts to approach the problem, including a formula suggested for calculating angular speed. Some participants have pointed out the importance of unit consistency and the need for additional information regarding the radius of the peg to fully resolve the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of information regarding the radius of the peg, which is critical for calculating torque. Additionally, participants emphasize the need to convert units appropriately, as the length was initially given in centimeters.

skinnyabbey
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Can anyone help me out? :smile:

The top has a moment of inertia
of 0:0002 kg.m2 and is initially at rest. It is
free to rotate about a stationary axis AA'. A
string, wrapped around a peg along the axis
of the top, is pulled in such a manner as to
maintain a constant tension of 5.22 N in the string.
If the string does not slip while wound
around the peg, what is the angular speed
of the top after 82.1 cm of string has been
pulled off the peg? Answer in units of rad/s


I have a problem with this question. I don't know how to calculate the linear distance given to an angular distance. I found the acceleration first using Torque=(I*acc). But then I don't know what to do next after this. My acceleration turned out to be 26100 rad/s^2
 
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in order to check your torque, we knweed to know the radius of the peg.
edit:

aha! by reverse engineering I have discovered that you have used the force as the torque (unless the radius of the peg is 1 meter, which I doubt).

If the radius of the peg (that the string is wrapped around) is not given, then there is not enough information to solve this problem.
[tex]\tau = I \alpha[/tex]
[tex]\tau = Fr[/tex]
[tex]Fr = I \alpha[/tex]
 
Last edited:
Try square root of [(2*Tension*String Length)/(Moment of Inertia)] .
 
also watch your units... (i.e. make sure length is in m NOT cm)
 
thanks.it worked.
 
D'oh!

"i've made a huge mistake."
 
Last edited:

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