If the cylinder is started from rest, it will just slide down without rolling. A friction force is required to exert the torque needed to start it spinning about its center.Originally posted by jp
If a cylinder is on a frictionless inclined plane, does it spin as it comes down? I guess on a level surface, frictional force is required for a cylinder to roll, but I'm not sure about inclined plane.
A cylinder on a frictionless inclined plane is a common physics problem that involves the study of objects in motion on a surface with no friction. In this scenario, a cylinder is placed on a ramp or inclined plane with no friction, causing it to slide down the surface due to the force of gravity.
Studying a cylinder on a frictionless inclined plane allows us to understand the basic principles of motion, forces, and energy in a simplified scenario. It also helps us to understand the effects of friction on an object's motion and how it can be minimized or eliminated in certain situations.
The mass of the cylinder does not affect its motion on a frictionless inclined plane, as there is no friction to slow it down. However, the mass does play a role in determining the force of gravity acting on the cylinder, which will affect its acceleration down the ramp.
The angle of the inclined plane affects the motion of the cylinder by changing the force of gravity acting on it. A steeper incline will result in a higher force of gravity, causing the cylinder to accelerate faster down the ramp. A shallower incline will result in a lower force of gravity, causing the cylinder to accelerate slower.
Other factors that can affect the motion of a cylinder on a frictionless inclined plane include the starting position of the cylinder, the shape and size of the cylinder, and any external forces acting on the cylinder such as air resistance or other objects on the ramp. These factors can influence the acceleration and final position of the cylinder on the ramp.