Angular Momentum of a uniform rod

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the angular momentum of a uniform rod that is struck by a bullet. The rod is initially at rest and pivots about one end. The bullet, which has a mass that is one-fourth that of the rod, strikes the rod at its center. Participants are exploring how to determine the final angular speed of the rod after the bullet becomes embedded in it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of angular momentum and how to calculate the angular momentum before and after the collision. There are attempts to derive the moment of inertia for the combined system and questions about specific calculations related to angular momentum.

Discussion Status

There are multiple lines of reasoning being explored, with participants questioning each other's calculations and assumptions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the calculation of angular momentum and the moment of inertia, but there is no explicit consensus on the final answer yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may involve specific rules about how to approach the solution. There are indications of confusion regarding the formulas for angular inertia and the setup of the problem.

Shifty
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A uniform rod of length L rests on a frictionless horizontal surface. The rod pivots about a fixed frictionless axis at one end. The rod is initially at rest. A bullet traveling parallel to the horizontal surface and perpendicular to the rod with speed v strikes the rod at its center and becomes embedded in it. The mass of the bullet is one-fourth the mass of the rod.

What is the final angular speed of the rod?

Ok, so the answer is 6v/19L, but I don't know how to get there. I have been using angular momentum concepts, but I don't get that answer it wants.

Been on this question for many hours, thanks in advance :smile:
 
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Since there's no external torque, the system's angular momentum is conserved. (The system consists of the bullet and the rod.) So what's the angular momentum of the system before the collision? What is it after, in terms of L and v?
 
Quick question--what did you get for the combined I after collision? Should be something like mL^2(1/3 +1/16) where m = mass os rod.
 
ideasrule said:
Since there's no external torque, the system's angular momentum is conserved. (The system consists of the bullet and the rod.) So what's the angular momentum of the system before the collision? What is it after, in terms of L and v?

Before:
m_{B}=m_{r}/4
v=L\omega/2
\omega=2v/L

P_{net}=m_{r}L^{2}(0)/3+m_{B}\frac{L}{2}\omega=m_{r}L^{2}v/4

After:
I_p=I_{rod}+m_BL^2/4=19/48*m_rL^2

P_{net}=19/48*m_rL^2\omega

Solution:
m_rL^2v/4=19/48*m_rL^2\omega\Rightarrow\omega=12v/19

I got close but I mest up somewhere :frown:
 
denverdoc said:
Quick question--what did you get for the combined I after collision? Should be something like mL^2(1/3 +1/16) where m = mass os rod.

Yeah I did get that Moment of Inertia
 
Shifty said:
Before:

P_{net}=m_{r}L^{2}(0)/3+m_{B}\frac{L}{2}\omega=m_{r}L^{2}v/4

Check this step. Your L's should cancel.
 
Shifty said:
P_{net}=19/48*m_rL^2\omega

Try calculating the angular moment of the rod and of the bullet separately, then adding them together. Once you correct the previous mistake I pointed out, you'll see why.
 
ideasrule said:
Try calculating the angular moment of the rod and of the bullet separately, then adding them together. Once you correct the previous mistake I pointed out, you'll see why.

P_{net}=m_rv/4=m_rL^2\omega/3+m_b(L/2)^2\omega=m_rL^2/3+m_rL^2\omega/16

That gives me:
P_{net}=19/48*m_rL^2\omega\Rightarrow\omega=12v/19L^2

Not quite there yet.
 
ideasrule said:
Try calculating the angular moment of the rod and of the bullet separately, then adding them together. Once you correct the previous mistake I pointed out, you'll see why.

Got it:
P_{initial}=m_rvL/8

Then it works. Thanks, I realized that the angular momentum of the bullets should have been the same, your suggestion worked :).
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Shifty said:
P_{net}=m_{r}L^{2}(0)/3+m_{B}\frac{L}{2}\omega=m_{r}L^{2}v/4

Sorry to bump this thread, but could someone explain to me why the last term is divided by four and not 3? In other words, why is the formula for angular inertia changing from (m*l^2)/3 to (m*l^2)/4?
 

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