Calculating Forces and Inertia: Solving for Applied Force and Rolling Speed

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating forces and inertia in two scenarios: one involving a uniform plank being carried by two men with a box placed on it, and the other involving a hollow ball rolling down an incline. Participants are seeking clarification on their calculations and the underlying principles of equilibrium and energy conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore equilibrium conditions for the forces acting on the plank and the box, questioning the inclusion of the box's weight in their calculations.
  • There is a discussion on the application of torque and the correct placement of forces in relation to the center of mass of the plank.
  • In the second problem, participants discuss the conservation of mechanical energy and the need to account for both translational and rotational kinetic energy.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding their calculations and seek further assistance to understand their errors.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided guidance on the correct application of equilibrium principles and the importance of considering the center of mass. There is ongoing exploration of the calculations, with some participants indicating they are still struggling to arrive at the correct answers.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework assignments, which may limit the information they can use. There is a focus on understanding the concepts rather than simply obtaining numerical answers.

buffgilville
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1) Two men are carrying a uniform plank of mass 5.6 kg and length 2.3 meters. A box of mass 108.4 kg is placed a distance 0.9 meters from the first man. Find the force applied by the second man.

Here what I did:
first man = force 1, second man force 2
F1 + F2 - mg = 0
F1 = (1.4)(5.6)(9.81) = 76.9104
F2 = mg - F1 = ((108.4)(9.81)) - 76.9104 = 986.4936

But the correct answer is 443.58. What did I do wrong?


2) A hollow ball of mass 1.9 kg and radius 0.1 meters begins rolling a distance 1.1 meters down a plane inclined at an angle 26 to the horizontal. Find its speed at the end.

Here is what I did:
Potential energy = (1.9)(1.1sin26)(9.81) = 8.988
KE = (1/2) (I) (w)^2
I=(2/3)(1.9)(0.1)^2 = 0.0127
PE = KE so, 8.988 = 0.00635w^2 ----> w = 37.622
w=v/r ----> v = (37.622)(0.1) ----> v = 3.76

But the correct answer is 2.38. What did I do wrong? Please help. Thanks. :smile:
 
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1) Looks like a Equilibrium Problem.

[tex]\sum_{i=1}^{n} \vec{F}_{i} = 0[/tex]

[tex]\sum_{i=1}^{n} \vec{\tau}_{i} = 0[/tex]

Where's the weight of the box??, you didn't include it.

2)

Kinetic Energy must include the kinetic energy for the linear movement

[tex]K = \frac{1}{2}I_{cm} \omega^2 + \frac{1}{2}mv^{2}_{cm}[/tex]

remember

[tex]v_{cm} = r \omega[/tex]

[tex]K = \frac{1}{2}I_{cm} \omega^2 + \frac{1}{2}mr^2 \omega^2[/tex]

Applying Conservation of Mechanical Energy

[tex]mgdsin\theta = \frac{1}{2}I_{cm} \omega^2 + \frac{1}{2}mr^2 \omega^2[/tex]

Solving for [itex]\omega[/itex]

[tex]mgdsin\theta = \omega^2(\frac{1}{2}I_{cm} + \frac{1}{2}mr^2)[/tex]

[tex]\sqrt{\frac{mgdsin\theta}{\frac{1}{2}I_{cm} + \frac{1}{2}mr^2}} = \omega[/tex]

and

[tex]r \sqrt{\frac{mgdsin\theta}{\frac{1}{2}I_{cm} + \frac{1}{2}mr^2}} = v_{cm}[/tex]

Note: [itex]I_{cm} = \frac{2}{3}mr^2[/itex] (Hollow Spherical shell)
 
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still getting the wrong answer :frown:

T1 = F1(0)
T2 = F2(2.3)
T3 = -Mg(0.9)
T4 = -mg(2.3)
(T is torque, M is mass of box, m is mass of plank)

sum of T = F1(0) + F2(2.3) - Mg(0.9) - mg(2.3) = 0
F2 = Mg(0.9) + mg(2.3) - F1(0)
F2(2.3) = (108.4*9.81*0.9) + (5.6*9.81*2.3) + 0
so, the Torque of F2 is 471.05

T = Fr
so, (471.05) = F2 (1.4) -----> F2 = 336.46 Newtons

but the right answer is 443.58
 
Last edited:
buffgilville, for equilibrium problems we assume the weight of the body is at its center of gravity, this is because we consider uniform density and uniform gravitational field over the object, so the center of mass and center of gravity are in the same location. For an uniform rod its center of mass (Center of gravity) is half its length. This means the weight of the Planck will act on its center of gravity.
 
Cyclovenom, I'm still not getting the right answer. Please help :frown:
 
buffgilville said:
Cyclovenom, I'm still not getting the right answer. Please help :frown:

Understand what you're doing, rather than merely pursuing a number.
What i said about center of gravity is indeed your error.
 
Cyclovenom, you said that the center of mass (center of gravity) for an uniform rod is half its length;so, the weight of the plank will act on its center of gravity. That means that the axis of rotation is at the center of mass and r is the distance from the axis of rotation.
So,
T1 = F1(1.15)
T2 = F2(1.15)
T3 = -Mg(0.25)
T4 = -mg(2.3)
(T is torque, M is mass of box, m is mass of plank)

sum of T = F1(1.15) + F2(1.15) - Mg(0.25) - mg(2.3) = 0
F2(1.15) = Mg(0.25) + mg(2.3) - F1(1.15)
F2 = -722.36

I'm still getting it wrong, I read the whole chapter on static equilibrium, but I still am not getting it. Can you please help me work out this problem? Maybe that would help me understand better. (I am learning this on my own because my professor hasn't gone over this yet.)
 
Ok, Here's the problem solved.

I will only need

[tex]\sum_{i=1}^{n} \vec{\tau}_{i} = 0[/tex]

info:
[tex]d = 0.9 m[/tex]
[tex]L = 2.3 m[/tex]
[tex]m_{box}=108.4kg[/tex]
[tex]m_{planck}=5.6kg[/tex]

I will apply the torque condition where you applied it. (on the extreme we are not finding) The lever arm for the weight of the Planck it's half the length of the Planck, because that's where it acts (It's not necessarily the half, it depends on the origin for the torque sum, but the weight of the object acts on its center of gravity which varies its location depending on the body)

[tex]F_{man}L - m_{box}gd - m_{planck}g \frac{L}{2} = 0[/tex]

[tex]F_{man} = \frac{m_{box}gd + m_{planck}g \frac{L}{2}}{L}[/tex]

[tex]F_{man} \approx 443.58 N[/tex]
 
Last edited:
Okay, I think I get it know. Thanks a BILLION Cyclovenom! :smile:
 

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