Coefficient of restitution in rotational motion

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the coefficient of restitution (COR) in a collision scenario involving a ball and a rod. Participants explore how to utilize the COR value of 0.5 in conjunction with conservation laws to determine final velocities and angular motion post-collision. The scope includes theoretical considerations and mathematical reasoning related to rotational motion and momentum conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose using the COR equation, V2f - V1f = e(V1i - V2i), alongside conservation of momentum to find final velocities in head-on collisions.
  • Others argue that several unknowns complicate the problem, such as the radius of the ball, the collision point on the rod, and whether the ball is rolling or sliding.
  • A participant suggests that if the ball hits the rod perpendicularly, the angular velocity of the rod must be considered after the collision.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their approach, which involves using the COR equation and conservation of angular momentum to find the angular velocity of the rod.
  • One participant confirms that the final linear velocities can be determined using the COR and conservation of linear momentum, followed by the conservation of angular momentum to find the rod's angular velocity.
  • There is a suggestion that solving for both linear and angular momentum may yield different results.
  • Another participant notes that the linear momentum and angular momentum are treated differently and emphasizes the need to solve for final velocities using both conservation laws.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the approach to solving the problem, with some agreeing on the use of conservation laws while others highlight the complexity introduced by various factors. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific outcomes of the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on assumptions about the collision dynamics, the definitions of the variables involved, and the unresolved nature of the mathematical steps required to reach final answers.

iitjee10
Messages
56
Reaction score
0
Suppose A ball of mass m moving with a speed v collides with a rod of mass M and length L placed horizontally on a smooth floor. The coefficient of restitution is 0.5.

In this case how do we utilise the information of COR.

If it were given COR is 1 then we could conserve kinetic energy. But in this case how do we how about it?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A coefficient of restituion of 0.5 is used to relate the final relative velocities to the initial relative velocities: V2f - V1f = e(V1i - V2i) where V= velocity, f = final, i = initial, and e = COR. Using the conservation of momentum with the preceding relation can determine the final velocities of the objects for head on collisions. A lot is unkown; the radius of the ball? the collision point on the bar? the initial angular orientation of the bar? is the ball rolling or sliding? the diameter of the bar? Since the floor is smooth it can be assumed it's frictionless and the ball would be sliding, not rolling (provided the initial release of the ball did not produce a rotation), and it can be treated as a head on collision.
 
assume the ball hits the rod at an end perpendicularly, the ball is sliding, smooth horizontal floor.
now, how do we use v2f - v1f = e(v1i - v2i) as there is an angular velocity of the rod after the collision.
 
Can anyone tell if I am correct or not. I am really not sure.
First by v2f - v1f = e(v1i - v2i) and conservation of momentum, v1f and v2f is known.
then by conservation of angular momentum (axis taken at the cg of the rod), the angular velocity of the rod is known. And that does it.
 
Lucien1011 is correct. The final linear velocities of the ball and center of mass of the rod are found using the COR equation and the conservation of linear momentum. Then using the conservation of angular momentum, the angular velocity of the rod can be found. The moment of inertia of the rod must be computed about an axis of rotation through the center of the rod because the rod will rotate about it's center of mass after the collision, and the center of mass will have a translational velocity. The initial anglular momentum is mvL/2 (ball) + 0 (rod). The final angular momentum must equal the initial momentum.
 
solve both linear momentum and angular momentum and please show, i think the answers come out to be different
 
The linear momentum is different from the angular momentum. Again, solve for the final velocities of the ball and the center of mass of the rod using the COR equation and the conservation of linear momentum (initial momentum equals final momentum). Then use the conservation of angular momentum. Below is a web page that shows the method. Refer to Example 2 at the bottom of the web page.

http://dept.physics.upenn.edu/courses/gladney/mathphys/java/sect4/subsection4_1_6.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
107K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
14K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K