A body only rotates on an inclined plane if it has friction?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the conditions under which a body can rotate on an inclined plane, particularly focusing on the role of friction and torque. Participants explore the implications of choosing different axes of rotation and the effects of gravitational forces on torque.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants examine the relationship between the axis of rotation and the torque produced by weight and normal forces. Questions arise about the validity of using the contact point as an axis of rotation and the conditions under which torque is generated.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants questioning the assumptions related to torque and the conditions necessary for rotational acceleration. Some guidance has been offered regarding the implications of different axes of rotation, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing information regarding the shape of the body in question and the specific conditions of the inclined plane setup. Participants are also navigating the complexities of angular and linear acceleration in relation to the chosen axes.

LCSphysicist
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Homework Statement
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Relevant Equations
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I think that the answer probably will be yes, but i have a question:
Well, with respect to center of mass that's right, but if i choose the axis passing through the contact point, the weight force will produce torque, even without the friction.
 
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If you "move the axis of rotation to the contact point", it is constrained by the plane so that it cannot rotate. As such, can it really be declared an axis of rotation?
 
LCSphysicist said:
Homework Statement:: .
Relevant Equations:: .

I think that the answer probably will be yes, but i have a question:
Well, with respect to center of mass that's right, but if i choose the axis passing through the contact point, the weight force will produce torque, even without the friction.
Torque about what point, and what shape of body?

If you take the mass centre as the axis, the weight does not produce torque. For a cylinder, the normal force won't either. With no friction, there is no force producing torque.

If you take the point of contact as axis the weight does have torque, so there will be angular acceleration about that point. But linear acceleration of a body constitutes angular acceleration about a point not in its line of motion, so this still does not ensure rotational acceleration.

If the body is not a sphere or cylinder nor lying on a flat face then the normal force might have moment about the mass centre.
 
haruspex said:
Torque about what point, and what shape of body?

If you take the mass centre as the axis, the weight does not produce torque. For a cylinder, the normal force won't either. With no friction, there is no force producing torque.

If you take the point of contact as axis the weight does have torque, so there will be angular acceleration about that point. But linear acceleration of a body constitutes angular acceleration about a point not in its line of motion, so this still does not ensure rotational acceleration.

If the body is not a sphere or cylinder nor lying on a flat face then the normal force might have moment about the mass centre.
" point. But linear acceleration of a body constitutes angular acceleration about a point not in its line of motion, so this still does not ensure rotational acceleration "
I can't get this part, can you say more about this?
 
LCSphysicist said:
" point. But linear acceleration of a body constitutes angular acceleration about a point not in its line of motion, so this still does not ensure rotational acceleration "
I can't get this part, can you say more about this?
Consider a particle moving horizontally with velocity v, height h, mass m. Wrt a point on the ground it has angular velocity vh and angular momentum mvh. Similarly angular acceleration and linear acceleration.
 

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