B. What is the net force acting on the object?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a uniform disk and a hanging mass. The original poster presents a scenario where the disk rotates about a horizontal axis, and a mass attached to it descends with constant linear acceleration. The problem requires calculating various parameters such as moment of inertia, linear acceleration, angular acceleration, and tension in the string.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the moment of inertia of the disk and its calculation, with some suggesting alternative formulas. Questions arise regarding the application of Newton's second law to find the net force acting on the hanging mass and the relationship between linear and angular acceleration. There is also a focus on the need for free body diagrams to clarify forces involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the calculations and encouraging the original poster to explore different approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of free body diagrams and the application of Newton's laws, though no consensus has been reached on the specific calculations or methods to be used.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of distinguishing between the mass of the disk and the attached object, as well as the implications of acceleration on the forces involved. There is an acknowledgment that the problem may not yield a straightforward numerical solution without further analysis.

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Homework Statement


A uniform disk 0.3m in diameter and having a mass of 2 kg isfree to rotate about its horizontal axis on frictionless bearings.An object with a mass of 0.05 kg is attached to a string wound around the rim of the disk. The object is released from rest and descends with constant linear acceleration. Calculate: (a) the moment of inertia of the disk; (b) the linear acceleration of the descending object; (c) the angular acceleration of the disk; and(d) the tension in the string.

Diameter of Disk : 0.3 m
mass of disk = 2 Kg
mass of attached object = 0.05 kg

Homework Equations


I = 1/2*mass*radius^2
Linear acceleration =Force/Mass
Angular Acceleration=linear acceleration/radius

The Attempt at a Solution


For
A. I = 1/2(2 kg)(0.15 m)^2 = 0.0225 kg.m^2
B. LA= [(0.05 kg)(9.81 m/s^2)] / 2 kg = 0.24525 m/s^2
C. AA= (0.2452 m/s^2) / 0.15 m = 1.635 rad/s^2
D. Not sure where to begin

I have attempted using known equations to me. I am not sure if I am using right equations to begin with.
Help will be greatly appreciated.
 
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for d), what is the force applied to the wheel by the hanging mass?
 
0.05 kg* 9.81 m/s^2 = 0.4905 Newtons
 
I have attempted using known equations to me. I am not sure if I am using right equations to begin with.
... it is best to use physics rather than memorized equations.

Given: disk, diameter d and mass M, turned by a falling mass m connected to the rim.

a) moment of inertia of the disk .. ##I=\frac{1}{8}Md^2## you used ##I=\frac{1}{2}Mr^2:r=d/2## which is fine.
Presumably you looked up the formula.

b) acceleration of falling mass ... you did: ##a=mg/M##, why?
Did you try drawing free body diagrams for the falling mass and the disk?

c) angular acceleration of disk, you did ##\alpha = a/r## which is fair enough, but do you know why?

d) ... start from the free body diagram you needed in part (b).

Note: the force of the hanging mass on the string (or the rim of the disk) is only going to be ##mg## if the mass is not accelerating.
 
A. For a uniform disk, I = (1/2)MR2. (But the Moment of Inertia can vary depending on the shape of the rigid object.)

B. Use Newton's 2nd law to find the net force acting on the object. Then isolate the linear acceleration. There are 2 forces involved. You won't have a numerical solution.

C. Use the linear acceleration and radius to determine the angular acceleration. You won't have a numerical solution.

D. Use "Net Torque = I*α" (Newton's 2nd Law of Motion for torque) and "Torque = Net Force*r". Substitute the Part C for α and then solve for T. This part is tricky, but I followed through with the isolating the tension and it worked out. Just keep at it if you get stuck.

Once you solve for the (EDITED) tension, you can go back and solve for the numerical values of linear and angular acceleration.

Remember to identify the disc's mass and the object's mass with different symbols.
 
Last edited:
B. Use Newton's 2nd law to find the net force acting on the object. Then isolate the linear acceleration. There are 2 forces involved. You won't have a numerical solution.
... the resulting system of equations can be solved numerically.
 

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