Angular Momentum of a counterweight

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the angular momentum of a counterweight system involving a spool. The problem includes calculating net torque, total angular momentum, and the acceleration of the counterweight, with specific parameters provided for mass and radius.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of net torque and angular momentum, with attempts to apply relevant equations. Questions arise regarding the use of cross products and the definition of rotational inertia for a solid cylinder. Some participants express uncertainty about the steps needed to solve for angular momentum and acceleration.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided hints and confirmations on the correctness of approaches taken. There is ongoing exploration of the relationship between angular momentum and acceleration, with some guidance offered on the derivative aspect of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the complexities of angular momentum and its components, with some expressing confusion about the application of cross products and the units of final answers. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify these concepts without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Sheneron
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[SOLVED] Angular Momentum

Homework Statement


A 4.60 kg counterweight is attached to a light cord, which is wound around a spool (refer to Fig. 10.20). The spool is a uniform solid cylinder of radius 8.00 cm and mass 1.30 kg.
(a) What is the net torque on the system about the point O?
Magnitude
(b) When the counterweight has a speed v, the pulley has an angular speed = v/R. Determine the total angular momentum of the system about O.
(c) Using the fact that = dL/dt and your result from (b), calculate the acceleration of the counterweight.

Homework Equations


[tex]L = r X P[/tex]
[tex]\tau = r X F[/tex]
[tex]L = I\omega[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I was able to solve the first part:
[tex]\tau = rF[/tex]
[tex]\tau = (0.08)(4.6)(9.8) = 3.61 Nm[/tex]

I am not sure how to solve part B though, here is what I tried but it was wrong:

[tex]L_{net} = rp + I\omega[/tex]
[tex]L_{net} = r X mv + I*\frac{v}{r}[/tex]
[tex]L_{net} = v (r X m + \frac{I}{r})[/tex]

I factored out the v because it doesn't give you the velocity, and the answer space looks like this:

________ X v kg *m^2/s
 
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Sheneron said:
I am not sure how to solve part B though, here is what I tried but it was wrong:

[tex]L_{net} = rp + I\omega[/tex]
[tex]L_{net} = r X mv + I*\frac{v}{r}[/tex]
[tex]L_{net} = v (r X m + \frac{I}{r})[/tex]
Looks OK to me--keep going.

Hint: What's the rotational inertia of a solid cylinder?
 
Rotational inertia of a solid cylinder is 0.5MR^2

With my equation there, at the rXm, do I have to do the cross product?
 
Sheneron said:
Rotational inertia of a solid cylinder is 0.5MR^2
Good.

With my equation there, at the rXm, do I have to do the cross product?
You can only take cross products of vectors, so r X m doesn't make sense. (I was wondering if you meant that X as a cross product or just as multiplication.) The time to do the cross product is before you factor out the speed.

In the definition of angular momentum of a particle, [itex]\vec{L} = \vec{r}\times m\vec{v}[/itex], [itex]\vec{r}[/itex] is the position vector of the particle. The cross product turns out to be easy to evaluate in terms of r (the radius). So what is the angular momentum of the particle?
 
I don't know. I am a little unclear about how to do cross products.
 
Can someone tell me how I would go about cross producting [itex]\vec{L} = \vec{r}\times m\vec{v}[/itex]
 

Homework Statement


A 4.60 kg counterweight is attached to a light cord, which is wound around a spool (refer to Fig. 10.20). The spool is a uniform solid cylinder of radius 8.00 cm and mass 1.30 kg.
(a) What is the net torque on the system about the point O?
Magnitude
(b) When the counterweight has a speed v, the pulley has an angular speed = v/R. Determine the total angular momentum of the system about O.
(c) Using the fact that = dL/dt and your result from (b), calculate the acceleration of the counterweight.


Homework Equations


[tex]L = r X P[/tex]
[tex]\tau = r X F[/tex]
[tex]L = I\omega[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I was able to solve the first part:
[tex]\tau = rF[/tex]
[tex]\tau = (0.08)(4.6)(9.8) = 3.61 Nm[/tex]

I am not sure how to solve part B though,

[tex]L_{net} = rp + I\omega[/tex]
[tex]L_{net} = (r)mv + I*\frac{v}{r}[/tex]

[tex]L_{net} = v (rm + \frac{I}{r})[/tex]
[tex]L_{net} = v [ (.08)(4.6) + \frac{1}{2}(1.30)(.08)]}[/tex]
[tex]L_{net} = v(0.42)[/tex]

I factored out the v because it doesn't give you the velocity, and the answer space looks like this:

________ X v kg *m^2/s

Is that how I would go about part B? Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Looks good to me.
 
Can you help me with part c?
 
  • #10
Sheneron said:
Can you help me with part c?
What's the full statement of part c? (Your initial post has something missing.) You'll need to take the derivative of L (that's what dL/dt means).
 
  • #11
sorry, yes I know i have to take the derivative...
Here is the post:
Using the fact that t = dL/dt and your result from (b), calculate the acceleration of the counterweight.

so would it be: 3.61 = dL/dt and dL/dt= 0.42dv/dt and dv/dt is acceleration so would it be a= 3.61*0.42
 
  • #12
Sheneron said:
so would it be: 3.61 = dL/dt and dL/dt= 0.42dv/dt and dv/dt is acceleration
Good.
so would it be a= 3.61*0.42
Divide, not multiply, by 0.42.
 
  • #13
haha yeah i just realized that.

Thank ye
 
  • #14


just wondering what units the final answer is in - if the counterweight is just accelerating downwards, do we still write the answer in rads/sec^2 ?
 
  • #15


or would it be in N*s/kg?

(N*m)/(kg*m^2/s)
 
  • #16


FailWhale42 said:
just wondering what units the final answer is in - if the counterweight is just accelerating downwards, do we still write the answer in rads/sec^2 ?
The final answer for what question? rads/sec^2 are units for angular acceleration; the counterweight has linear acceleration, which has units of m/s^2.
 
  • #17


Doc Al said:
The final answer for what question? rads/sec^2 are units for angular acceleration; the counterweight has linear acceleration, which has units of m/s^2.

thankyou! :) i was thinking angular acceleration *facepalm* :)
 

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