Angular Speed and Energy Conservation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two cylinders interacting through angular momentum and energy conservation principles. The first cylinder rotates with a known angular velocity, while the second cylinder drops onto it, leading to a shared final angular speed and energy loss due to friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply conservation of angular momentum to find the final angular speed and energy lost. Some participants question the correctness of the formulas used, particularly regarding the treatment of angular momentum.

Discussion Status

Participants are evaluating the original poster's approach, with some affirming that the method seems reasonable while others are pointing out potential errors in the application of angular momentum equations. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the calculations, but the discussion is focused on clarifying the process.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of converting angular velocity units, and participants are discussing the implications of using squared terms in the context of angular momentum. The original poster's calculations are under scrutiny, particularly regarding the assumptions made in the setup.

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[SOLVED] Angular speed problem

Homework Statement


A cylinder with mass m1 = 4.00kg, and radius 30cm, rotates about a vertical, frictionless axle with angular velocity of 8.00 rev/s. A second cylinder, this one have a mass of m2 = 3.00kg, and radius 20cm, initially not rotating, drops onto the first cylinder. Because of friction between the surfaces, the two eventually reach the same angular speed.
A) calculate the final angular speed
B)Find the energy lost in the system due to the interaction of the two cylinders.

The Attempt at a Solution


Just wondering if this is right:

I converted the 8 rev/s to 50.265 rad/s. I wasn't sure if i needed to but I did it anyway.

[tex]L_{i} = L_{f}[/tex]
[tex]I_{1}\omega_{1i}^2 = (I_{1} + I_{2})\omega_{f}^2[/tex]
[tex]\omega_{f} = \sqrt{\frac{I_{1}\omega_{1i}^2}{(I_{1} + I_{2})}}[/tex]
[tex]= \sqrt{\frac{(.5)(4)(0.3^2)(50.265^2)}{(0.5)(4)(0.3^2) + (0.5)(3)(0.2^2)}[/tex]

= 43.53 rad/s

Then for part B, I found the loss of energy due to friction using the change in kinetic energy.

[tex]0.5(I_{1} + I_{2})\omega_{f}^2 - 0.5(I_{1})\omega_{f}^2^2[/tex]
[tex]0.5[(0.5)(4)(0.3^2) + (0.5)(3)(0.2^2)](43.53)^2 - 0.5((.5)(4)(0.3^2)(50.265)^2 [/tex]

= 51.17 J

Did I solve this problem correctly?
 
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Angular momentum is [tex]L = I\omega[/tex]. [tex]\omega[/tex] is NOT squared.
 
crap. Other then that is that the right process (don't mind the numbers now)
 
Yes, I think your approach is OK.
 

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