Calculating Gate's Torque, KE & Angle When Bull Rushes Out

[tachu101]

Homework Statement

A gate to a bullpen is open at a right angle to the fence and the bull is rushing toward the opening to get out. The farmer estimates that the bull will reach the opening in 3 sec. so he pushes at the end of the gate (always at a right angle) with a force of 100N. The moment of inertia of the gate about the hinge is 1,000 kg m^2 and the gate length is 3.

a. What is the magnitude of the torque applied by the farmer.
b. What is the rotational kinetic energy of the gate after 3 seconds
c. Through what angle will the gate have rotated after 3 sec.
d. Will the gate be closed.

Homework Equations

Torque, KE roational, Angular Kinematics

The Attempt at a Solution

a. Torque= rFsin(theata) = (3)(100)sin90= 300Nm
b. KE= (1/2)(I)(w^2) = (1/2)(1000)(?)
c. angle= at^2/2?
d. ?

 

[PhanthomJay]

Part a is correct; for parts b, c, and d, you first need the equation (derived from Newton's 2nd law) that allows you to calculate the angular acceleration caused by a net torque.

 

[tachu101]

If I use torque=Ia and solve for a I will get a=torque/I = (300)/(1000) = .3 rad/sec^2 as the angular acceleration. For the w value after 3 sec it would be .9rad/sec? So I could then do the KE= (1/2)(I)(w^2) = (1/2)(1000)(.9^2) = 405 Then for part c could I use Theta= at^2/2 and get (.3)(3^2)/2 = 1.35 radians. Is any of this right? What would I do for the last part?

 

[PhanthomJay]

If I use torque=Ia and solve for a I will get a=torque/I = (300)/(1000) = .3 rad/sec^2 as the angular acceleration. For the w value after 3 sec it would be .9rad/sec? So I could then do the KE= (1/2)(I)(w^2) = (1/2)(1000)(.9^2) = 405 Then for part c could I use Theta= at^2/2 and get (.3)(3^2)/2 = 1.35 radians. Is any of this right? What would I do for the last part?

Yes, excellent. Don't forget the units for energy, 405 __? For the last part, you know that the gate has rotated 1.35 radians. How many radians would it need to rotate to a completely closed position, given that it started out at a right angle to the fence?

 

[tachu101]

pi/2 would be the angle needed to close the gate, but 1.35 is less than pi/2, so it would not be closed in time.

 

[PhanthomJay]

pi/2 would be the angle needed to close the gate, but 1.35 is less than pi/2, so it would not be closed in time.

Correct. Now don't forget the units for the kinetic energy.