Translational and rotational velocity

In summary, for a cylinder rolling down an inclined plane, the tangential velocity of a point at a distance R from the axis of rotation is equal to the velocity of the center of mass. This means that the speed of a point on the edge of the cylinder relative to the axis of rotation is equal to the linear speed of the cylinder. This can be proven for rolling without slipping, and the speed of a point on the edge of the cylinder relative to the surface varies from 0 to twice the linear speed of the cylinder. Drawing a diagram can help visualize this concept.
  • #1
Josh0768
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6
For a cylinder rolling down an inclined plane, does the tangential velocity of a point a distance R from the axis of rotation equal the velocity of the center of mass?
 
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  • #2
Josh0768 said:
For a cylinder rolling down an inclined plane, does the tangential velocity of a point a distance R from the axis of rotation equal the velocity of the center of mass?
Is ##R## the radius of the cylinder? And what do you mean by "tangential" velocity?
 
  • #3
PeroK said:
Is ##R## the radius of the cylinder? And what do you mean by "tangential" velocity?
R is the radius yes and by tangential velocity I mean the linear velocity of a point on the edge of the cylinder.
 
  • #4
Josh0768 said:
R is the radius yes and by tangential velocity I mean the linear velocity of a point on the edge of the cylinder.
The speed of a point on the edge of the cylinder relative to the axis of rotation is the same as the linear speed of the cylinder.

Exercise: prove this for rolling without slipping.

The speed of a point on the edge of the cylinder relative to the surface, therefore, varies from ##0## to twice the linear speed of the cylinder.

Exercise: draw a diagram to convince yourself of this.
 

1. What is translational velocity?

Translational velocity refers to the speed and direction at which an object moves in a straight line. It is measured in units of distance per unit of time, such as meters per second or miles per hour.

2. How is translational velocity different from rotational velocity?

Rotational velocity refers to the speed at which an object rotates around an axis. It is measured in units of angle per unit of time, such as degrees per second or revolutions per minute. Unlike translational velocity, which is a linear movement, rotational velocity is a circular movement.

3. How are translational and rotational velocity related?

Translational and rotational velocity are related through the concept of angular velocity. Angular velocity is the rate of change of an object's rotational position over time. It is calculated by dividing the angle of rotation by the time it takes to complete that rotation. This can be used to convert between translational and rotational velocity.

4. What factors affect an object's translational and rotational velocity?

Several factors can affect an object's translational and rotational velocity, including its mass, shape, and the forces acting upon it. For example, a larger object will typically have a slower translational velocity than a smaller object, but its rotational velocity may be faster due to its increased mass.

5. How is translational and rotational velocity used in real-world applications?

Translational and rotational velocity are important concepts in physics and engineering and are used in various real-world applications. For example, understanding the translational and rotational velocity of a moving car can help engineers design safer and more efficient vehicles. In sports, rotational velocity is used to measure the speed and spin of a thrown or hit ball, which can affect its trajectory. Additionally, translational and rotational velocity are essential in the study of celestial bodies and their movements.

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