2 problems on simple harmonic motion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two problems related to simple harmonic motion (SHM). The first problem involves a thin rod connected to a spring, and participants are tasked with determining the angular frequency of the system. The second problem concerns a small cylinder rolling inside a cylindrical shell, with a focus on its angular frequency as well.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various methods to derive angular frequency for the rod and spring system, questioning the role of torque and inertia. There are discussions about the assumptions made regarding the mass and weight of the rod, as well as the configuration of the system.
  • In the cylinder problem, participants raise questions about the relationship between translational and rotational accelerations, and how to combine them given their different directions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and questioning each other's reasoning. Some participants suggest reconsidering the assumptions made about the systems, while others explore the implications of different approaches. There is no explicit consensus on the solutions, but several productive lines of inquiry are being pursued.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of considering the moment of inertia and the effects of torque in both problems. There is also mention of the need for diagrams to clarify the physical setup of the rod and spring system. Additionally, the role of friction in the cylinder problem is highlighted as a crucial factor for rolling without slipping.

Wen
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these are 2 qn on simple harmonic motion which i am not sure if my solution is right or not.
1) A thin rod, length L hinged at one end, connected to a spring at the other end. Take the spring constant to be K. What is the angular frequency?

My solution:

let the displacement from equil. to be X
F=-kX
Torque= K.X.L=I a
a=K.X.L/I =L @ @ is the angul. aceleeration
@= KX/( 1/3 ML^2) = W^2X
W= (3k/ML^2)^0.5
2) Find the angular frequency of a small cylinder mass m, radius r, rolling in a cylindrical shell of radius R.

My sol.

aceleration=gsin@ let @ be the small change in angle
gsin@=R( Aceleration ,A)
A= gsin@/R
A= R angular acele. Since @is small, Sin@=@

g@/R=R angular a
angular a = w^2 @
w=(g/R^2)^0.5
 
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1) angular frequency omega (w) should have units of [radian/sec].
Torque causes rotational inertia (I) to have angular acceleration alpha (@).
So you wanted to write kx L = I @ ... but this is rotation around the pivot.
The connection at the spring has acceleration a = L @ ,
and it is this acceleration that = - w^2 x ... [from 2nd derivative of x(t)].

2) You never used the cylinder mass or radius, or its Inertia term "1/2". hmm
It might as well be sliding ... a = g sin(theta) is only for sliding or hanging.
at theta from the bottom, torque around contact point mg r sin(theta) = I alpha.
This alpha is the cylinder's rotational *spin* acceleration; "cylinder rolls" if
arclength s = R*theta = r*(phi+theta), where phi is the cylinder spin angle.
 
For qn 2, if mgsin (theta)=I @
i can obtain the rotational angular acele
using mgsin phi= ma
i can obtain the translational; acele
but how should i equate to w^2x because are in different direction?
 
First question 1

What about the mass and weight of the rod and its torque?
If the mass of the rod is zero then what will be its moment of inertia?

You have to consider rotetional SHM, similar equation with
torque proportional to - angular displacement
and with that you will get
freq. n = (1/2Pi) (K/I)^(1/2) Where K is torque constant.
 
for qns 1 , i tried using 3 method,
1) KX= ma 3) KX=Ia
2) KX.L=I a 4) KX.L= ma

which one is wrong and why.
For qn 1, the spring is above the rod. Hence the rod is hanging from the spring.

Mukundpa, what is SHM?

Could someone enlighten me on qn 2?
 
Wen said:
1) A thin rod, length L hinged at one end, connected to a spring at the other end. Take the spring constant to be K. What is the angular frequency?
Now you are saying "the spring is above the rod. Hence the rod is hanging from the spring."
So where is the hinge? Can you draw a diagram to show the position of spring and the rod?
 
for qn 1, its a horizontal beam , pivoted at one end on the wall. Its other end is supported by a spring from the top so that it is horizontal.
 
whether the other end is displaced slightly horizontally or vertically?
 
If the end is displaced slightly such that the rod is rotated by small angle@ then the extension in the spring will be L@ and hence the tension in the spring is KL@.
This provides a restoring torque KL^2@ on the rod about the hinge.
So we can write the equation torque = - KL^2@ which is similar to F = - Kx

We can not take force Kx because there is a reaction force at the hinge which is not accounted.
 
  • #10
As for SHM angular frequency is given by squar rt (K/m) similarly for rotetional SHM it is given by squar rt (K/I) where K is torque constant and I is moment of inertia.

In your problem Torque constant is KL^2 and I = mL^2/3
 
  • #11
thanks. what about qn 2?

if i use gsin(thetre)= R angular a

since the cylinder also rotates abt the axis through its centre,

mgsin( thetre).r=torque=I. angular acele abt its axis.
As the two acele. are in different directions, how should i combine them together?
 
  • #12
Rolling without slipping is not possible without friction. It will be better to find acceleration of centre of mass of the sphere. Do you have any idea for that?


Consider the axis of rotation passing through the point of contact and find angular acceleration and then linear acceleration.
 
  • #13
okay, if i find the angular aceleration and translational a, should i sum them up to equal to w^2 thetre. But the direction of the acele is different.
 
  • #14
Let the line joining the axis of the small cylinder and the axis of the surface makes an angle @ with vertical. the torque on the small cylinder about the point of contact is
mgr sin@
and angular acceleration is
mgrsin@/(3mr^2/2) = 2gsin@/3r
hence linear acceleration of center of mass will be...( radius R-r)
2gsin@/3 = 2g@/3 = 2g[x/(R-r)]/3
where x is displacement of C.M. from equilibrium position and as @ is small enough
Hence the restoring force F = - m[2g/3(R-r)] x which is the equation of SHM
so angular frequency is sq.rt.of 2g/3(R-r).

EEEnjoy !
 
  • #15
isn't the I of cylinder 1/2mr^2.

However, if i use the same way to work out one qn ( which is very popular in all textbooks) A solid sphere radius R rolls without slipping in a cylinderical trough, radius 5R. show that the period is T=2pi (28R/5g)^0.5.

Since Rmgsin@=I a.
a= Rmgsin@/(2/5 mR^2)=5gsin@/2R=5g@/2R
@= X/(5R-R)
a= 5g/2R(X/4R)=w^2X

But cannot prove to the eqn stated.
 
  • #16
Torque is taken about the point of contact hence the I is to be taken about the same point i.e. (according to parallel axes theoren) 1/2mr^2 + mr^2 = 3/2 mr^2
 
  • #17
Wen said:
A solid sphere radius R rolls without slipping in a cylinderical trough, radius 5R. show that the period is T=2pi (28R/5g)^0.5.

Since Rmgsin@=I a.
a= Rmgsin@/(2/5 mR^2)=5gsin@/2R=5g@/2R
@= X/(5R-R)
a= 5g/2R(X/4R)=w^2X

But cannot prove to the eqn stated.

The simelar problem
The moment of inertia of the sphere about a tangent is

[tex]\frac{\ 2mR^2}{5} + mR^2 = \frac{\ 7mR^2}{5}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
  • #18
thank you . thank you
 

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