Angular velocity of a block of mass

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angular velocity of a bicycle wheel when a block of mass m falls a distance h. The user initially applied conservation of energy principles, equating the kinetic energy of the wheel and the block with the potential energy lost by the block. The correct formulation involves using the moment of inertia I and the relationship between linear velocity v and angular velocity ω, specifically ω = v/r. The final expression for angular velocity is ω = sqrt((2mgh)/(I + mr²)), correcting the sign for potential energy and incorporating the radius r of the wheel.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of energy principles in physics
  • Familiarity with rotational dynamics and moment of inertia
  • Knowledge of the relationship between linear and angular velocity
  • Basic algebra for rearranging equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of moment of inertia in detail, focusing on different shapes and their formulas
  • Learn about the conservation of mechanical energy in both linear and rotational systems
  • Explore the relationship between linear velocity and angular velocity in rotational motion
  • Investigate real-world applications of rotational dynamics in engineering and physics
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, mechanical engineering, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of rotational motion and energy conservation principles.

WY
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
Hey I was doing a question and I need someone to check if my method is ok - or stop me if I'm on completely the wrong track!

A block of mass m is attached (with a massless string) to a wheel. Consider the bicycle wheel is not turning initially. The block is allowed to fall a distance of h. Assume that the wheel has a moment of inertia I about its rotation axis.

Find the angular speed of the wheel after the block has fallen a distance of h in terms of m,g,h, r(of the wheel) and I

I took the relative zero as where the mass is starting from:
so the wheel has KE = 0 and the mass has KE=0 and PE=0

Then after it has fallen a height of h:
Wheel: KE = 1/2(I*omega^2)
Mass: KE = 1/2mv^2 and PE=mgh

so i came up with the conservation of energy equation to be:
0 = 1/2(I*omega^2) + 1/2mv^2 + mgh
the v the weight will be traveling at will be the same angular velocity the wheel is turning i substituted omega in for v
the I rearranged it so that omega was the subject and got:
omega = sqrt((-2mgh)/(Im))

is this rite? or ami completely wrong?? thanks in advance :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't see any radius r in your final answer. Did you express that:

[tex]\omega = \frac{v}{r}[/tex] ?

Also:

[tex]0 = \frac{1}{2}I\omega ^2 + \frac{1}{2}mv^2 - mgh[/tex]

So don't use (+) but (-) for mgh.
 
hahah right thanks for that!
 

Similar threads

Replies
67
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
335
Views
18K
Replies
9
Views
3K