Classical mechanics: ball rolling in a hollow sphere

blalien
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] Classical mechanics: ball rolling in a hollow sphere

Homework Statement


This problem is from Gregory:

A uniform ball of radius a and centre G can roll without slipping on the inside surface of a fixed hollow sphere of (inner) radius b and centre O. The ball undergoes planar motion in a vertical plane through O. Find the energy conservation equation for the ball in terms of the variable \theta, the angle between the line OG and the downward vertical. Deduce the period of small oscillations of the ball about the equilibrium position.

So in summary, we have:
a: radius of ball
m: mass of ball
\theta: angle of the ball's position, relative to the vertical line connecting the center and bottom of the hollow sphere
I: moment of inertia of ball
\omega: rotational velocity of ball
T: kinetic energy of ball
V: potential energy of ball (V=0 at height \theta=\pi/2, the center of the sphere)
E: total energy of ball
g: acceleration due to gravity

Homework Equations


I = 2/5ma^2

The Attempt at a Solution


First of all, I'm assuming that \omega=\theta'. It sounds intuitive, but I could be wrong there.

I'm given, as a solution, that the period of small oscillation (that is, sin(\theta)=\theta) is 2\pi(7(b-a)/5g)^(1/2), which I'm not getting in my results. I have a very strong hunch that my mistake comes from bad energy equations. So, would you mind taking a look of these?

T = 1/2mv^2 + 1/2I\omega^2
v = \omega*(b-a)
So T = 1/2m(\omega*(b-a))^2 + 1/2(2/5ma^2)\omega^2
T = m\omega^2/10(7a^2-10ab+5b^2)
V = -(b-a)mgcos(\theta)

So E = T + V = that stuff
Am I correct here?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
blalien said:

The Attempt at a Solution


First of all, I'm assuming that \omega=\theta'. It sounds intuitive, but I could be wrong there.

That is wrong. Draw a simple diagram to figure it out.
 
Hah, it's always the little mistakes in the beginning that steal away an hour of my life.

That fixed everything. Thank you so much for catching that.
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top