Ball rolling and slipping with backspin

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the dynamics of a solid ball with mass M, radius R, and moment of inertia I, initially moving with velocity v_0 and backspin w_0. The key equations derived include v = v_0 + at and w = w_0 + (alpha)t, where alpha is defined as torque/I = -fR/I. The conclusion reached is that the necessary condition for the ball to stop completely is v_0 = Iw_0/(mR), validated through two distinct methods of analysis. Both methods yield the same result, confirming the correctness of the derived relationship.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with angular momentum and moment of inertia
  • Knowledge of frictional forces and their effects on motion
  • Basic proficiency in solving differential equations related to motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of rotational dynamics and angular momentum conservation
  • Learn about the effects of friction on rolling motion in detail
  • Explore the concept of rolling without slipping and its mathematical implications
  • Investigate advanced applications of torque in mechanical systems
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of rolling motion and frictional effects in mechanics.

ClassicalMechanist
Messages
21
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



A solid ball of mass M and radius R and moment of inertia I is placed onto a table with an initial velocity v_0 to the right and angular momentum w_0 anticlockwise (i.e the ball has backspin). Due to friction, the angular velocity and linear velocity changes as the ball both rolls and slips along the table.

Find the velocity v_0 (in terms of the other variables) such that the ball will roll some distance and then stops completely.

Homework Equations


I. v=v_0+at, where a=-f/m
II. w=w_0+(alpha)*t, where alpha=torque/I=-fR/I

The Attempt at a Solution



Due to friction, the velocity and angular velocity (in the anticlockwise direction) should both decrease. The velocity is zero when t=mv_0/f. The angular velocity is zero when t=Iw_0/(fR).

My confusion is the necessary condition for the ball to stop completely (meaning no linear motion, and no rotation). Naively, at some point in time, t, both the velocity and angular velocity are zero, so we should equate the two expressions above and solve for v_0=Iw_0/(mR).

However I have an uneasy feeling about this, because I seem to get the same answer by assuming that the ball will stop when the no-slip condition is satisfied, i.e v=Rw. Using this equation we get v_0+at=R(w_0+(alpha)*t). Solving for t, we find t=(v_0-Rw_0)/(alpha*R-a)=(v_0-Rw_0)/(-f(R^2)/I+f/m). The velocity is zero when t=mv_0/f, so equating these two expressions, we have:

(v_0-Rw_0)/(-f(R^2)/I+f/m)=mv_0/f

(v_0-Rw_0)/(1/m-(R^2)/I)=mv_0

I(v_0-Rw_0)/(I-(R^2)m)=v_0

I(v_0-Rw_0)=v_0(I-(R^2)m)

Iv_0-IRw_0=v_0I-v_0(R^2)m

IRw_0=v_0(R^2)m

v_0=Iw_0/(mR)

So I get the same answer by both methods, which might seem encouraging, but I'm not sure about my reasoning for the conditions under which the ball stops completely.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I might be wrong here
But if you're taking alpha as positive when you equate final velocity to zero won't you get your time to be negative so then if you substitute that into this
## “ t=(v_0-Rw_0)/(alpha*R-a)=(v_0-Rw_0)/(-f(R^2)/I+f/m). ”##
Then you wouldn't get the answer you got by the first method would you?
 
alpha is not positive, because alpha=-fR/I.
 
In the equation
## V= V_0 + at ##
If you equate V to zero then what value of ##t## do you get?
 
You get t=-v_0/a. But a is negative as well, because a=-f/m. I don't see a problem with signs...
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Suraj M
I really don't think you can use the second method, I'm trying to understand how we still get the same answer. I'm not sure of this but isn't V representing the linear velocity of a particle on the surface of the ball( not considering linear velocity of the body)If there is no slipping then that would be equal to the velocity of the body. But here it wouldn't be right?
 
If there is no slipping then isn't ## a= \alpha R?##
 
ClassicalMechanist said:
So I get the same answer by both methods, which might seem encouraging, but I'm not sure about my reasoning for the conditions under which the ball stops completely.

I didn't check all your algebra, but your reasoning in both cases is sound. The second method seems a more roundabout way, but effectively you're saying:

At some point the ball stops slipping and starts rolling without slipping. If the velocity at this point is 0, then the ball can't be spinning, so that is an equivalent way to find the required value for ##v_0##.

The first method is better surely?
 
Both methods seem fine to me. But the easiest way is to consider angular momentum about a fixed point on the ground along the line of travel. Friction has no moment about such a point, so the angular momentum is conserved. The result follows immediately.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K