A very tought physics sum I am having trouble with.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a hollow cylinder rolling up an incline. The original poster presents a scenario where the cylinder, moving at a specified speed, encounters a 15-degree incline and poses questions about the distance it travels up the incline and the time taken to return to the bottom.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of energy to determine the distance traveled up the incline and question the correctness of the original poster's calculations. There are inquiries about the kinetic energy formula used and the implications of rolling motion versus sliding motion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing different calculations and interpretations of the problem. Some suggest reviewing the kinetic energy definition for a rolling hoop and emphasize the importance of understanding rotational inertia in this context.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of potential confusion regarding the kinetic energy of a rolling object compared to a sliding object, which may affect the calculations. The original poster indicates that this is not a homework question but rather a textbook problem they are attempting to solve.

daisy_polly
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Hi,

I am preparing for my exam and I am stuck on one question.The question is:

A hallow cylinder(hoop) is rolling on a horizontal surface with at a speed v=3.3m/s when it reaches a 15degrees incline . a) how far up the incline will it go?.
b) How long will it be on the incline before it arrives back at the bottom.

Thanks for anyone that helps.This is not a home work question, just a question i am trying to attempt from my textbook.I know that answers though.

a)4.3m b)5.2s
 
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Hmm... I'm not really sure how a) can be correct. Using that incline and conservation of energy, it comes out to 2.15m according to my calculations. Did you possibly use mv^2 instead of 1/2mv^2?
 
Using energy conservation, I get 4.289 for a).

For b): Can you figure out the cylinder's acceleration?
Hint: The total acceleration of the cylinder is the same as the tangential acceleration.
 
Last edited:
For part (a) energy conservation is a good plan. The total mechanical energy remains constant... so thinking to set the initial KE equal the final PE is conceptually correct. However, the KE of a rolling hoop is significantly different than the KE of a sliding block (or hoop). Review in your text the KE definition of a rolling hoop. note... If you have not yet explored rotational inertia in your class, you will have some trouble with this question.
 

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