Atwood Machine, Rotational Inertia, and Energy

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on an Atwood machine involving a pulley with rotational inertia and two hanging blocks. When Block 2 is released from height h, its speed just before hitting the ground is calculated using energy conservation principles, yielding v = sqrt((2gh(m2-m1))/(m1+m2+(M/2))). The angular speed of the pulley at that moment is given by w = (1/R) * sqrt((2gh(m2-m1))/(m1+m2+(M/2))). The time taken for Block 2 to fall is derived as t = h * sqrt((2m1+2m2+M)/(gh(m2-m1))). The discussion emphasizes understanding energy transfer in the system through sketches and analysis.
rvhockey
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
In the figure below, the pulley is a solid disk of mass M and radius R, with rotational inertia (MR2)/2. Two blocks, one of mass m1, and one of mass m2, hang from either side of the pulley by a light cord. Initially, the system is at rest, with Block 1 on the floor and Block 2 held at height h above the floor. Block 2 is then released and allowed to fall.
a. What is the speed of Block 2 just before it strikes the ground?
b. What is the angular speed of the pulley at this moment?
c. What's the angular displacement of the pulley?
d. How long does it take for Block 2 to fall to the floor?




(MR2)/2 = I
mgh=GPE
(mv2)/2 =KEtrans
Iw(omega)2=KErot




I can't figure out how to do it, but the answers are
a. v = sqrt((2gh(m2-m1))/(m1+m2+(M/2)))
b. w(omega) = (1/R) * sqrt((2gh(m2-m1))/(m1+m2+(M/2)))
c. ??
d. t = h * sqrt((2m1+2m2+M)/(gh(m2-m1)))
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Think about it in terms of energy conservation. Do a sketch of the system at the start and at the end of the period you're interested in.

Then play spot the difference. Where has energy been transferred?
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'
TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
Thread 'Trying to understand the logic behind adding vectors with an angle between them'
My initial calculation was to subtract V1 from V2 to show that from the perspective of the second aircraft the first one is -300km/h. So i checked with ChatGPT and it said I cant just subtract them because I have an angle between them. So I dont understand the reasoning of it. Like why should a velocity be dependent on an angle? I was thinking about how it would look like if the planes where parallel to each other, and then how it look like if one is turning away and I dont see it. Since...
Back
Top