Angular momentum: rotating rod and a ball

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem involving a rod of length l that rotates around a fixed axis O while a ball B falls simultaneously. The moment of inertia of the rod is calculated as I_o=\frac{1}{3}ml^2, and the torque equation T(torque)=Iα is applied to analyze the motion. The acceleration of the edge A of the rod is derived as a_A=\frac{3lg\cdot \cos \beta}{2}. The conclusion drawn is that the time to reach the floor may not need to be calculated explicitly, as the acceleration comparison suggests that the edge A of the rod will reach the ground before the ball.

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Karol
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Homework Statement


A rod of length l swivels around an axis, denoted O in the drawing, located on the floor.
The initial position is β=45°.
A ball B is left to fall at the same time the rod is left to rotate.
Who will arrive, first, to the floor: the ball or the edge A of the rod

Homework Equations


T(torque)=Iα
Moment of inertia of the rod around it's edge:
[tex]I_o=\frac{1}{3}ml^2[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


The torque at different angles α:
[tex]\frac{l}{2}mg\cdot \cos \beta=\frac{1}{3}ml^2 \cdot \alpha[/tex]
And the geometric relation:
[tex]l \cdot \alpha=a_A[/tex]
Where aA is the acceleration of the edge of the rod.
[tex]\rightarrow a_A=\frac{3lg\cdot \cos \beta}{2}[/tex]
I integrate aA in the range of β=45° to β=0° and get a number for the velocity of the edge of the rod A at the floor, but i cannot integrate further this velocity in order to make it equal to the length of the arc and extract the time.
 

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Karol said:
[tex]\rightarrow a_A=\frac{3lg\cdot \cos \beta}{2}[/tex]

Note that the units don't match on the left and right sides.

Maybe you won't need to find the value of the time to answer the question. If we race such that your acceleration is always greater than mine, who will get to the finish line first?
 

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