Angular acceleration and moment of inertia on a pulley

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the angular acceleration and related parameters of a pulley with a moment of inertia of 0.15 kg*m^2. The torque is determined using the formula torque = moment of inertia * angular acceleration, resulting in an angular acceleration of approximately 0.667 rad/s^2. To find the time for one complete rotation, the equation for rotational motion is adapted from linear motion, leading to the equation θ = ω_i * t + (1/2)αt^2. Participants emphasize the importance of distinguishing between torque and time symbols to avoid confusion. The conversation highlights the parallels between linear and rotational motion equations for solving the problem.
cloudboy
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Homework Statement



Two forces are applied to a pulley with a moment of inertia I = .15kg*m^2.
The pulley is mounted so that its frictionless axle is fixed in place.

1) What is the angular acceleration of the pulley?

2) If the pulley starts from rest, how long does it take to undergo one complete rotation?

3) What will its angular velocity be after one complete rotation?

4) Provide the magnitude and direction of a force that can be applied at half the radius of the pulley that would establish mechanical equilibrium.


Homework Equations



I=mr^2


The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not asking you to solve it for me, just please help guide me. I have no idea where to begin!
 
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What magnitudes are these two forces?
 
I'm sorry, here is a picture

So F_2 = 1N and F_1 = 2N
and r = .10m
 

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re (1):

For linear motion we use F = Ma.
What formula do we use for rotational motion?
 
torque = moment of inertia * angular acceleration

so, since net force = 1n, torque = r * F, so torque = .1N*m.

Angular acceleration = t / I = .667 ms/^2

is that right?
 
Last edited:
Correct.

So find the torque on the pulley.
 
Ok I'm trying to figure out the time and I don't really know what to do
 
cloudboy said:
torque = moment of inertia * angular acceleration

so, since net force = 1n, torque = r * F, so torque = .1N*m.

Angular acceleration = t / I = .667 ms/^2

is that right?

Value of torque is correct. Better use 'T' for 'torque' not to mix it up with the symbol 't' for 'time'!
 
cloudboy said:
Ok I'm trying to figure out the time and I don't really know what to do

Now to find the time t:

Rotational motion becomes quite simple if one remembers that the equations involved look very much like those used in linear motion.

Up to now we know the initial angular speed \omega_{i}, the angular acceleration \alpha, and the angle turned 2\pi.

Then if we had a problem in linear motion we would know the intial linear speed u, the linear acceleration a and the distance s. To find the time we would use the equation
s = ut + (1/2)at^{2}.

Now let us transer this equation, symbol by symbol from linear motion to rotational motion.

\theta = \omega_{i}t + (1/2)\alphat^{2}.

Put in the values we know and you get the time t.
 
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