Calculating Frictional Force for a Spinning Disk

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the frictional force needed to stop a 1.6kg, 20cm diameter disk spinning at 240rpm in 3.5 seconds, one must first determine the moment of inertia using the formula I = 0.5m(r^2). The initial angular velocity should be converted to radians per second, and the angular acceleration can be found using the change in angular velocity over time. The relationship between torque and friction force is established through the equation T = rF, where T is torque, r is the radius, and F is the frictional force. After calculating the torque, the necessary friction force can be derived, ensuring all calculations are accurate for a solid disk.
aligass2004
Messages
236
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



The 1.6kg, 20cm diameter disk in the figure below is spinning at 240rpm. How much friction force must the brake apply to the rim to bring the disk to a halt in 3.5s?

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff4/alg5045/p13-69.gif

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I know a free body diagram should be drawn for the disk to take all of the forces into account. I know there's the weight pulling down and the frictional force is acting to the right, but I don't know how to set up a solvable equation.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Use 1.6kg, 20cm diameter disk to determine the moment of inertia.

The friction force behaves as a torque with moment r and force f.

Torque/(moment of inertia) = angular acceleration

then

use the appropriate equation of motion for rotation to determine the time to decelerate from the initial angular velocity to stop in 3.5 s.

See - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/mi
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ok, I get that, but how do I find the frictional force?
 
The question isn't asking for time.
 
One is given time, and ask what magnitude of force is require to bring the disk to standstill (\omega = 0) in that time. Use the change in angular velocity and time to find the constant angular acceleration.

Applying an external force (friction) will cause the rotational mass to decelerate.

One must apply the appropriate equation(s) of motion, e.g.

0 = \omega_0\,+\,\alpha\,t, where \omega_0 is the initial angular velocity, and \alpha is the angular acceleration (or deceleration if negative).

With the angular acceleration (or deceleration), use the relationship between torque and moment of intertia.

Then knowing the net torque required to decelerate the disk, then find the necessary friction force applied at the appropriate moment arm (radius of disk).
 
I did the following... I=m(r^2)=.016. I then converted revolutions per minute into radians per second = 25.133. Then I found angular acceleration by using delta w/delta t = 7.181, and finally I found the torque = I(alpha) = .115. I'm still unsure about finding the friction.
 
aligass2004 said:
I did the following... I=m(r^2)=.016.
That formula is incorrect for a solid disk.

To relate torque to friction force, realize that the friction force acting with a moment arm = r creates the given torque (as Astronuc had stated).
 
Ok so instead I = .032 and T = .23. Then I use T = rF (I think) and I solved for F to get 2.3, but it wasn't right.
 
What formula are you using to calculate I? (It's still not right.) But yes, use T = rF.
 
  • #10
I'm using I = .5m(r^2) = .5(1.6)(.1^2) = .032
 
  • #11
aligass2004 said:
I'm using I = .5m(r^2) = .5(1.6)(.1^2) = .032
You're using the correct formula, but recheck your calculation.
 
Back
Top