Angular acceleration of a cylinder rotating around another

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SUMMARY

The relationship between the angular acceleration (α) of the bottom right cylinder and its horizontal acceleration (a_x) is defined by the equation α = a_x / (√3R). This conclusion arises from analyzing the motion of the cylinders, particularly at the initial condition where the angular velocity (ω) is zero. The discussion highlights a potential error in the provided answer of 7.84, suggesting that it may involve an approximation related to an infinitesimal distance (d) in its derivation. The distinction between angular acceleration (α) and the angular acceleration of the bottom right cylinder (θ) is emphasized as critical to understanding the dynamics involved.

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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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