Calculating Period of Oscillation for a Colliding System

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a gob of clay colliding with a uniform cylinder, which is free to rotate. The focus is on calculating the period of oscillation for the system after the collision, considering the effects of friction and the setup of the physical system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the dynamics of the system post-collision, particularly regarding the oscillation period. Some participants question the clarity of the problem setup, specifically the absence of a diagram. Others suggest considering the concept of a physical pendulum in relation to the system's behavior.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of the collision and the subsequent oscillatory motion. There is an acknowledgment of the need for clarification regarding the system's configuration, and some guidance has been offered regarding relevant concepts.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has indicated difficulty in attaching a diagram, which may affect the clarity of the problem setup. The discussion also hints at the complexity introduced by friction in the oscillatory motion.

SMG75
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Below is a problem that I am trying to work through in preparation for an upcoming exam. I worked through part A with no problems, but I am struggling with part B. Could someone point me in the right direction?

Homework Statement



A gob of clay with mass m falls from rest a distance h before striking and sticking to the edge of a uniform cylinder of mass M and radius r. The cylinder is free to rotate about a horizontal axis through its center.

2A) What is the initial angular velocity of the cylinder with the gob of clay attached?
2B) Now assume that after the collision, the system experienced a small amount of friction such that after a long time, the system comes to undergo small periodic oscillations, as shown. Ignoring friction, calculate the period of the oscillation.

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
SMG75 said:
2B) Now assume that after the collision, the system experienced a small amount of friction such that after a long time, the system comes to undergo small periodic oscillations, as shown. Ignoring friction, calculate the period of the oscillation.

Thanks.
"As shown" where?
 
Ah, right. I forgot to attach the diagram. It won't let me for some reason. I will try to describe it. It shows the cylinder on its side, so it just looks like a circle. The axis of rotation is in the center of that. The clay is stuck to the bottom edge, and it is making small oscillations in that manner. Any help?
 
Does "physical pendulum" ring a bell?
 

Similar threads

Calculating Period of System with Masses, R & dX
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Period of Oscillations near equator
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Two-Disk Pendulum Oscillation: Find Period w/ Mass M & Radius R
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Collisions in a harmonic oscillator
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Sliding block hits and compresses a spring
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Derivation of the oscillation period for a vertical mass-spring system
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
Period of Oscillation of a Cylinder Attached to Two Springs
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
How to find the number of oscillations a block goes through
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Time Period of a Small Oscillation
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
6K
Determine the period of small oscillations
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K