What is Rigid bodies: Definition and 127 Discussions

In physics, a rigid body (also known as a rigid object ) is a solid body in which deformation is zero or so small it can be neglected. The distance between any two given points on a rigid body remains constant in time regardless of external forces or moments exerted on it. A rigid body is usually considered as a continuous distribution of mass.
In the study of special relativity, a perfectly rigid body does not exist; and objects can only be assumed to be rigid if they are not moving near the speed of light. In quantum mechanics, a rigid body is usually thought of as a collection of point masses. For instance, molecules (consisting of the point masses: electrons and nuclei) are often seen as rigid bodies (see classification of molecules as rigid rotors).

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  1. Nova_Chr0n0

    Engineering Dynamics of Rigid Bodies: The Concept of Law of Gravitation

    The questions and relevant formulas/information are attached below: I started by writing the needed values: 2 kN = 2,000 N 6378 km =6378(1000) m 1800 km = 1800(1000)m After converting, I tried solving for the mass using the law of gravitation formula: I decided to replace N as...
  2. Nova_Chr0n0

    Engineering Statics of Rigid Bodies - Why is the normal force not considered?

    The problem is from Hibeller's book, Mechanics: Statics and attached below is the picture of the problem: My question about this problem is about the FBD of the reactions. Here is how I drew it: But when I tried checking the solution for the problem, they have this as their FBD: My...
  3. deuteron

    Understanding Kinetic Energy: Moment of Inertia and Rotational Motion

    Consider the above setup. Here, to get the kinetic energy of the body, the moment of inertia with respect to the ##y-##axis has to be calculated. This can be done in two ways: 1. The moment of inertia of the rotation around the center of mass is ##\Theta_s##, then the kinetic energy is...
  4. Rikudo

    Tension between two rigid bodies

    Ok. So, I already worked on this problem, and get ##m_c## = 2m/3, which is correct according to the book. However, I also want to know the value of the tension (T) between rod A and B. Note: Before we start working on my modified question, I want to point out that the force exerted by the...
  5. D

    KE of off-center impacts in rotating and translating rigid bodies

    I'm trying to understand basic principles of ancient thrown weaponry. Let's say we have something like a bar with a known inertia tensor that is thrown from one end such that it is both rotating and translating. If it strikes something along either side of its center of mass (an off-center...
  6. mcrooster

    How to find Tb and Moments 3D equilibrium of rigid bodies

    The boom is supported by a ball-and-socket joint at AA and a guy wire at BB Hey guys, I am stuck with this question in find the Tension in B and the moments around A. I have done plenty of 2d Tension questions but not a 3D one.
  7. Hamiltonian

    A rotating rod acted upon by a perpendicular force

    $$\tau = I\alpha$$ $$FL/2 = I\omega^2L/2$$ $$T = 1/\theta \sqrt{F/I}$$ would this be correct? I came up with this more basic question to solve a slightly harder question so I do not know the answer to the above-stated problem.
  8. Like Tony Stark

    Reaction forces on a gyroscope

    I know that ##\vec{v_c}=(\omega_1;-\omega_2;0)×(L;-r;0)=0## So ##\omega_2=\frac{r\omega_1}{L}## Then, using the system of coordinates shown in the picture and ##\Sigma M_z## I can find the reaction force in ##C##. But how can I find the reaction forces on ##A## and ##O##? I mean, what system...
  9. Like Tony Stark

    Difference between curvilinear and rotational motion

    The solution states that there's no rotational motion when ##C## is cut (the motion is curvilinear), so we can take torques with respect to the centre of mass of the plate. But, isn't it rotating? I think of it as a pendulum, which describes a circular motion. What's the difference? Wouldn't the...
  10. B

    Confusion About Rotational Motion

    I watched a video that showed how to calculate the center of gravity of a horizontal bar suspended from two wires, one attached to each end. Each wire was then attached to a vertical wall. The angle each wire made with the wall it was attached to was given. They treated it as an a example of...
  11. G

    Rigid body sliding without overturning

    My attempt: When the body is about to overturn backwards, the normal force and frictional force are applied on point A. If I want to avoid overturning, torque must be 0. Then, I calculate torque with respect to A. The value I get for h is negative, implying there is no minimum value for h...
  12. wrobel

    A The Lagrange–d'Alembert principle for rigid bodies

    This post is also an invitation to compose problems of the presented below type. The Lagrange–d'Alembert principle by itself is used very seldom. It is usually used to derive the Lagrange equations and that is all. But actually it is a powerful tool in nonholonomic mechanics. As an example...
  13. Tymofei

    Calculating the Moment from a Different Vantage Point

    Summary:: Just a simple 3d rigid dynamics question which I am trying to solve by placing coordinat system differently from original solution.Everything looks ok but results are different. Mod note: Post moved from technical section. Thats my question.As you see coordinate system was located...
  14. Like Tony Stark

    Determine tensor of inertia of a rod

    I have to find the inertia tensor of these rods and I don't have the concept that clear... I mean, I know the formulas like: ##I_{xx}=\int y^2 + z^2 dm## ##I_{xy}=\int xy dm## But I don't know what ##x, y, z, dm## stand for. In other words, I don't know what I should replace in the formula...
  15. A

    What mistake did I make when solving for the equilibrium of a rigid object?

    Here's the task: My attempt at a solution (I choose C as an axis): However, the textbook solution says D should be 58.8. What am I doing wrong?
  16. S

    Rotating Sphere: Conceptual Question

    As shown in figure there's a homogeneous solid sphere. It is rotating about axis which is passing through point P directed perpendicular to the plane of paper. (In short like a pendulum). I'm neglecting gravity and assuming a force F which is directed perpendicular to the string. (The string...
  17. shadi

    Determine the angle of two rigid bodies after a collision

  18. Abhishek11235

    Euler Equations for Dynamics of rigid body

    I have been studying the dynamics of free top from Morin's book. In his book when describing the dynamics,he writes down the equation of motion as shown in screenshot. However,I am not able to understand which term refers to which coordinate system. For eg: Here ##\omega## refers to angular...
  19. K

    A Solving Euler's Principal Axis for Rigid Bodies

    When we solve Euler's differential equations for rigid bodies we find the angular acceleration ##\dot{\boldsymbol\omega}## and then the angular velocity ##\boldsymbol\omega##. Integrating ##\boldsymbol\omega## is less straightforward, so we start from a representation of the attitude, take its...
  20. WhiteWolf98

    Rigid Bodies/ Angular Velocity

    Homework Statement Homework Equations ##v=\omega r## The Attempt at a Solution So, using the equation, one can work out the velocity at point ##B##. ##v_B=\omega_{AB} \cdot r_B## ##v_B=6(0.4)=2.4~ ms^{-1}##I then tried working out the angular velocity at point ##C## using the instantaneous...
  21. R

    Moment of Inertia of an Ammonium Molecule

    Homework Statement The ammonium ion NH4+ has the shape of a regular tetrahedron. The Nitrogen atom (blue sphere) is at the center of the tetrahedron and the 4 Hydrogen atoms are located at the vertices at equal distances L from the center (about 1 Å). Denote the mass of the hydrogen atoms by Mh...
  22. Exath

    I Why is T+f=Ma in Cylinder Roll Without Gliding?

    So I'm looking at a problem that involves a situation that looks like this the cylinder rolls without gliding. And there are these following equations that apply to it (1) mg - T = ma (for the block hanging vertically) (2) T + f = Ma (for the cylinder f = friction force, T = String force) (3)...
  23. Exath

    Rotation of Rigid Bodies: Rotating stick with disc on top

    Homework Statement [/B] A thin cylindrical rod with the length of L = 24.0 cm and the mass m = 1.20 kg has a cylindrical disc attached to the other end as shown by the figure. The cylindrical disc has the radius R = 8.00 cm and the mass M 2.00 kg. The arrangement is originally straight up...
  24. Beth N

    Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies. Rafter. What is moment arm?

    Homework Statement Two uniform 150 N rafters rest on frictionless floor, held together by a rope. A 500 N load is held at their apex. Find tension in the tie rope. Homework Equations ##torque= rFsin \theta =Force*Moment Arm ## The Attempt at a Solution The angle ##\theta## in the picture...
  25. H

    What is the Instant Centre of Rotation for a Rotating Bar?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations orthogonality condition: that means that the point of ICR is orthogonal to the velocity Vb and Va The Attempt at a Solution the solution that i found with the problem is: The ICR of the bar is at infinity. the motion of the bar is translational. I think...
  26. R

    Derivation of EoM for two interconnected rigid bodies

    I set a small project for myself to design a controller for a rocket, which moves a mass around to shift the center of mass, in order to steer a rocket. The picture shows a simplified model of a rocket plus a movable mass. , shown is a rod for the rocket, and a mass for the controller. there...
  27. A

    Computing angular speed wrt CM I get a contradiction

    Hello! I have been brushing up my Rigid Body Dynamics. I tried computing the angular speed with respect the Center of Mass (CM) using the usual split of kinetic energy and also the split of Angular momentum using the CM. First, a simple case: Two particles of mass M each separated by a distance...
  28. G

    How can I find the length of this pole?

    Homework Statement A pole BC is supported by the cable AB as is shown in the figure. If the magnitude of the force applied on the point B is 70 lb, and the moment of this force about the x-axis is -763 lb ft, determine the pole lenght. I'LL ATTACH AN IMAGE SO YOU CAN SEE IT. Homework Equations...
  29. G

    How can I find the torque/moment of force about an axis?

    Homework Statement The Trump's wall is so weak that has to be supported by two cables as is shown in the figure. If the tension over the cables BD and FE are 900 N and 675 N respectively. (I'LL UPLOAD AN IMAGE OF THE PROBLEM SO YOU CAN SEE IT) Homework Equations τ = r χ F Mo = r χ F The...
  30. Kaneki123

    B A Question about Effect of Force on Rigid Bodies....

    Okay...I have a simple question that, if we apply a force to a wall, then according to F=ma, the wall should have some acceleration at all the points we are applying the force...My question is that since the wall does not move move back, does this acceleration only result in a slight deformation...
  31. S

    I Possible to estimate the location of a measurement point?

    Hi guys, I am just wondering if it is possible to calculate/estimate the location of measurement point on a rigid body? For example, let's say we have a rigid body that is in motion. We attach a sensor, say an accelerometer on the surface of the rigid body. Now can we estimate the location of...
  32. A

    Finding the force of constraint--compound pendulum on spring

    Homework Statement From Fetter and Walecka 5.1:[/B] Consider the compound pendulum in FIg 28.1 (mass M, moments of inertia Iij relative to the center of mass, which is a distance L from the point of support Q) but with Q attached to the bottom of a vertical spring (force constant k) and...
  33. goonking

    What is the Maximum Weight of Mass C on a Tipping Barrel?

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution When the barrel starts to tip, the normal at point A should be 0 Newtons, and then all weight would be on point B. I'm guessing if the barrel would tip, it wouldn't be sliding across the floor so kinetic friction is not used...
  34. multiplegoats

    The block and spool problem (dynamics of rigid bodies)

    Homework Statement A block and spool are each pulled by a string across a frictionless surface. The string is wound around the spool such that it may unwind as it is pulled, the string attached to the block is at the center of mass. The block and spool have the same mass and the strings...
  35. P

    Conceptual question - relative accleration of rigid bodies

    I saw this problem in my dynamics class: http://d2vlcm61l7u1fs.cloudfront.net/media%2Fa22%2Fa2261e7a-0e85-45e7-8b63-f23157d623bc%2Fphp37ql1a.png I know how to solve it, but I don't understand why A(bd) has both a normal and tangential component to acceleration. If it is rotating at a constant...
  36. S

    Torque on rigid body when angular momentum is not constant

    I 'd like to clarify some doubts about the rotational motion around a fixed axis of a rigid body, in the case the angular momentum vector \vec {L} is not parallel to the angular velocity \vec {\omega} . In particular, consider a horizontal barbell with two equal masses m , forced to rotate...
  37. H

    Substituting spherical coordinates to evaluate an integral

    I have to evaluate $$\int^1_{-1} \int^{ \sqrt {1-x^2}}_{ - \sqrt {1-x^2}} \int^1_{-\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}dzdydx$$ using spherical coordinates. This is what I have come up with $$\int^1_{0} \int^{ 2\pi}_0 \int^{3\pi/4}_{0}r^2\sin\theta d\phi d\theta dr$$ by a combination of sketching and...
  38. (Ron)^2=-1

    Rolling without slipping over a plank

    Homework Statement This is just a general case I'm having trouble trying to imagine: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTyOwzfLy0E/VluaNlxEddI/AAAAAAAAAEk/2Creguw3xzY/w530-h174-p-rw/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2015-11-29%2B21%253A34%253A50.png Suppose there is a cylinder, kind of like a yo-yo, that...
  39. X

    Predict the position of a particle on a rigid body

    1. Problem Statement Assume there is an rigid object with mass m in 2D space, an impulse J = FΔt is applied at time t1 at the particle Pimp and Pimp is on the exterior boundary of the object. The impulse cause a free plane motion of the object and the object is only affected by the force of the...
  40. S

    A Couple more "Rotation of Rigid Bodies" questions

    Homework Statement 1. It has been argued that power plants should make use of off-peak hours (such as late at night) to generate mechanical energy and store it until it is needed during peak load times, such as the middle of the day. One suggestion has been to store the energy in large...
  41. hackhard

    Rotation of a rigid body about external axis

    in the figure a rigid body - a circle- is moving such that its centre is moving in a circular path but the orientation of the body is fixed with respect to the centre of the body (the circle). According to def of rotion of rigid body - Rotation of a rigid body about a fixed axis is defined as...
  42. G

    Why is 2/3 required in the calculation for the equilibrium of rigid bodies?

    Homework Statement why 2/3 is required in this calculation as circled ? I have no idea. I know that 4.5/2 is the distance of the centroid of the bar from point A . Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  43. L

    Find the angular acceleration of the rod

    Homework Statement Given: ##\mu_B=0.52## ##\theta=30^{\circ}## Weight- ##25## lb ##\omega=0## ## l=6## ft ##r_c=3\sqrt 2## radius of curvature. Homework Equations My Equations of motion are the following: ##\xleftarrow{+}\sum F_x=N_A\sin 60 - F_B=0## ##\downarrow{+} \sum F_y= N_A \cos...
  44. Frederica Salt

    Understanding the Moment of a Force: Statics of Rigid Bodies

    How can I identify the direction of a force in finding its moment? :rolleyes:
  45. Alettix

    Direction of friction acting on a rolling object

    Hi! My question considers no specific problem, but rather different concepts I have trouble getting my head around. So I would be really happy if you could help me understand different kinds of friction, and maybe above all their direction, acting on a rolling object. :) Fist we have kinetic...
  46. F

    Angular Momentum- Need help- problem involving rigid bodies

    Homework Statement http://tinypic.com/r/vsew5k/8 Homework Equations Angular momentum for rigid bodies Kinetic energy of rigid bodies The Attempt at a Solution I tried to start by using conservation of energy, but I can't find the center of mass of the rod. I'm also not sure where to put the...
  47. cvex

    How to calculate velocities/forces from sphere collisions?

    Hi, Basically I have a point cloud that represents balls with different radii. They are all moving based on forces and sometimes they are intersecting with each other. Imagine the yellow ball is going in one direction while the blue balls goes in another direction. At one time they are...
  48. P

    Can liquids be treated as rigid bodies for moment of inertia

    Consider a partially filled bottle of water. When it's tipped over and rotating about its pivot point where its edge touches the ground, it has an angular acceleration. Assuming the liquid is not viscous at all, so flows perfectly, at a given instant can it be considered to have a moment of...
  49. T

    Finding angle required for equilibrium on a slope

    Homework Statement A heavy uniform cylindrical drum is placed, with its axis horizontal, on a slope inclined at an angle α to the horizontal. It is prevented from sliding or rolling down the slope by a triangular wedge. The weight of the wedge is negligible compared with the weight of the drum...
  50. Z

    Translational and Rotational energy in rigid bodies

    Suppose I have some sort of rigid body, a solid sphere let's say. For simplicity's sake let's assume that the sphere can only rotate about a single arbitrary axis through the center of mass. If the center of mass of the sphere is traveling with a constant velocity (with respect to some arbitrary...
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