Rolling on flat floor, rolling down an inclined plane?

In summary, when an object is rolling on a flat floor at constant speed, there is no angular acceleration and therefore no torque or friction. However, when it is rolling down an inclined plane, there is angular acceleration and therefore torque, which results in friction. The stationaryness of the point of contact is not relevant in determining the presence of friction in this scenario.
  • #1
applestrudle
64
0
When rolling on a flat floor when the velocity at the circumference equals the velocity at the centre of mass the friction stops acting right? SO why does't that happen when it is rolling down an inclined plane? If it is rolling shouldn't the point in contact with the inclined plane be stationary relative to the inclined plane (therefore no friction just like on the flat floor)??

Please explain this to me

:confused:
 
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  • #2
hi applestrudle! :smile:
applestrudle said:
When rolling on a flat floor when the velocity at the circumference equals the velocity at the centre of mass the friction stops acting right?

when rolling at constant speed, there is no angular acceleration (and, incidentally, no horizontal linear acceleration)

so there is no torque

so no friction​

(when rolling at constant speed against air resistance and/or against an external frictional torque at the axle, the total torque must be zero, so the friction with the road must be non-zero so as to balance out the air resistance or axle friction:

so you see, the stationaryness of the point of contact is irrelevant)
SO why does't that happen when it is rolling down an inclined plane? If it is rolling shouldn't the point in contact with the inclined plane be stationary relative to the inclined plane (therefore no friction just like on the flat floor)??

when rolling downhill, there is angular acceleration

so there is torque (and the torque of both the weight and the normal force about the centre of mass is zero) …

so there is friction :wink:
 

1. How does the angle of the inclined plane affect the rolling motion?

The steeper the angle of the inclined plane, the faster the object will roll down due to the increased force of gravity pulling it downward.

2. What factors influence the speed of the rolling object?

The mass and shape of the object, the angle of the inclined plane, and the force of gravity all play a role in determining the speed of the rolling object.

3. What is the difference between rolling on a flat floor versus rolling down an inclined plane?

When rolling on a flat floor, the object will maintain a constant speed due to the absence of external forces. However, when rolling down an inclined plane, the object will accelerate due to the force of gravity pulling it downward.

4. Can an object roll up an inclined plane?

Yes, an object can roll up an inclined plane if it has enough initial force or momentum to overcome the force of gravity pulling it downward. However, it will eventually slow down and roll back down the inclined plane.

5. How does friction affect the rolling motion on an inclined plane?

Friction acts as a resistance force on the rolling object, slowing it down as it moves down the inclined plane. The greater the friction, the slower the object will roll.

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