alaix
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Homework Statement
An homogeneous rod is fixed to an extremity and is rotating around a vertical axis, doing an angle of theta with the vertical. (in the scheme I made I wrote alpha but it's theta! (θ))
If the length of the rod is L, show that the angular velocity needed to make it turn is
\omega = \sqrt{3g/2L cos(θ)}
Homework Equations
\tau = r x F
I = 1/2 m L²
\tau = I\alpha
The Attempt at a Solution
Here is what I tried
I considered that all the exterior forces (ie. gravity) was acting on the center of mass of the rod, which is situated in the middle, at L/2.
Therefore
Torque = r x F = 1/2 L mg sin(θ)
Torque = I\alpha
Where I = 1/3 mL²
Therefore
\alpha = \frac{3mgL sin(θ)}{2mL^{2}} = \frac{3g sin(θ)}{2L}
Since I'm looking for the angular VELOCITY, and since angular acceleration = d\omega/dθ
\alpha dθ = d\omega
By integrating both sides I find
\omega = -\frac{3g cos(θ)}{2L}
Which is ALMOST the answer I'm looking for... what am I missing?
Thanks!