Angular acceleration of a cylinder rotating around another

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the relationship between the angular acceleration (α) of a bottom right cylinder and its horizontal acceleration (a_x). The derived formula is α = a_x / (√3 R), which is half of the provided answer (7.84). The analysis includes the motion of the cylinder as it rolls around another cylinder, with specific angles and coordinates defined. There is skepticism regarding the accuracy of the given answer, suggesting it may involve an approximation related to an infinitesimal distance. The contributor argues that the angular acceleration of the bottom right cylinder does not equate to the angular acceleration denoted as α in the given context.
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Screen Shot 2016-12-15 at 7.29.03 AM.png


For Q11(b), what is the relation between the angular acceleration ##\alpha## of the bottom right cylinder and its horizontal acceleration ##a_x##?

I get ##\alpha=\frac{a_x}{\sqrt{3}R}##, which is half the given answer (7.84) below.

After the bottom right cylinder rolls around the top cylinder by an angle of rotation ##\theta## about its (the bottom right cylinder's) own center of mass, the cylinders will look as follows:
image.jpeg

(The bottom left cylinder is omitted in the drawing.)

Let the axis of symmetry of the figure of 3 cylinders at ##t=0## be ##x=0##. (In other words, the point of contact of the two bottom cylinders has an ##x## coordinate of 0).

Then the ##x## coordinate of the center of the bottom right cylinder, ##x = 2R\sin\phi##, where ##\phi=30^\circ+\theta##.

##\dot{x}=2R\cos\phi\dot{\phi}##

##\ddot{x}=2R(\cos\phi\ddot{\phi}-\sin\phi\dot{\phi}^2)=2R(\cos\phi\alpha-\sin\phi\omega^2)##, where ##\alpha=\ddot{\theta}## is the angular acceleration of the bottom right cylinder and ##\omega=\dot{\theta}## is its angular velocity.

At ##t=0##, ##\phi=30^\circ## and ##\omega=0##. Thus ##\ddot{x}=2R(\cos 30^\circ\alpha)##. And we get ##\alpha=\frac{a_x}{\sqrt{3}R}##.

The given answer:
Screen Shot 2016-12-15 at 7.29.31 AM.png


I believe the given answer is wrong because I suspect there is an approximation involved when it uses an infinitesimal distance ##d## in deriving (7.84).
 
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Happiness said:
where ##\alpha=\ddot{\theta}## is the angular acceleration of the bottom right cylinder
I don't believe that ##\ddot{\theta}## equals the angular acceleration ##\alpha## of the bottom right cylinder.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_rotation_paradox
 
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