Need help quick with rotational acceleration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the rotational acceleration of a bicycle wheel when a weight is dropped from different heights, with the wheel accelerating through 180 degrees. Participants explore the relationships between forces, angular acceleration, and angular velocity in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Homework-related, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the setup involving a bicycle wheel, a rope, and a weight, seeking guidance on how to calculate the wheel's acceleration from different drop heights.
  • Another participant suggests that the tangential force exerted by the rope is equal to the gravitational force acting on the weight, proposing a relationship involving angular acceleration and height to calculate the wheel's acceleration.
  • There is a request for clarification on the notation used in the formulas, with a participant asking for definitions of terms like omega, alpha, and theta, indicating confusion over different symbols for similar concepts.
  • A follow-up post provides definitions for angular speed (omega), angular velocity (alpha), and the angle (theta), along with an example of initial conditions for the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the basic relationships between the forces and angular motion, but there is no consensus on the specific calculations or methods to be used, as one participant seeks further clarification on the notation and formulas.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the symbols and their meanings, as well as the need for clear definitions to avoid misinterpretation of the formulas presented.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals interested in rotational dynamics, particularly those looking to understand the effects of gravitational forces on angular acceleration in practical scenarios.

Tymon
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Imagine there is a bicycle wheel. At 1 point on the wheel a rope is fixed to the wheel. The rope is wrapped around the wheel 180 degrees and on the other end of the rope their is a weight (see image below).

image.JPG


The point is actually that I want to compare the weight dropping from different heights (to make the wheel turn) and see which acceleration the wheel gets from these different heights.

NB: The wheel will only accelerate 180 degrees.

Please help => HOW??!
 
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Well the tangential force on the weel, exerted by the rope is equal to the gravity force acting on the object. Via [tex]\alpha . R = a_{t} = mgh[/tex] you can calculate the acceleration. Then you can use the formula's for omega (you know [tex]\omega = \omega_{0} + \alpha.t[/tex])and theta in order to calculate the angular velocity omega...alpha is the angular acceleration but you knew that already right ?


regards
marlon
 
Thanks a lot first of all. Can you please write down a little list: omega = ... alpha = acceleration etc. because I have seen different letters for the same things so I am kind of confused. Thanks.
 
Tymon said:
Thanks a lot first of all. Can you please write down a little list: omega = ... alpha = acceleration etc. because I have seen different letters for the same things so I am kind of confused. Thanks.


omega is angular speed
alpha is angular velocity
theta is the angle with the horizotal x-axis.

[tex]\theta = \theta_{0} + \omega_{0}.t + \alpha . \frac{t^2}{2}[/tex]

the formula for omega is in my previous post.
When there is a subscript 0 : it means inital. So inital velocity and theta.

For eample the [tex]\theta_{0} = \pi[/tex] because you start on the left side of the circle and [tex]\omega_{0} = 0[/tex]

regards
marlon
 
Thank You!
 

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