Compare Velocity of Center of Mass - Two Hollow Cylinders

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around comparing the final velocities of the center of mass for two hollow cylinders, one rolling and one sliding down an incline. The initial approach using conservation of energy suggested that the final velocity is independent of mass, yielding a ratio of 1. However, the correct analysis indicates that cylinder A, which rolls without slipping, maintains a final velocity of v=sqrt(gh), while cylinder B, which slides on a frictionless surface, has a final velocity of v=sqrt(2gh). This leads to a ratio of 1/sqrt(2), correcting the initial assumption. The importance of accounting for friction and the nature of motion (rolling vs. sliding) is emphasized in determining the final velocities.
LovePhys
Messages
57
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


attachment.php?attachmentid=59497&stc=1&d=1371091306.png

Homework Equations


mgh=\frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2}Iω^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I used conservation of energy, and found that the final velocity of the center of mass is independent of the object's mass, so in both cases: v=\sqrt{gh}. Therefore, the ratio is 1.

However, the answer is 0.5. I think I need to take into account the friction force, but I'm not sure how to proceed, the question does not give me the static friction coefficient.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
LovePhys
 

Attachments

  • cylinders.png
    cylinders.png
    37.1 KB · Views: 1,549
Physics news on Phys.org
Cylinder A rolls, it does not slip. Where can gravitational PE end up? (Hint: rolling implies rotation...)
 
@gneill

Thank you. I came up with a different answer now, but it is not 0.5

For cylinder A, the final velocity of the center of mass is still v=\sqrt{gh}
For cylinder B, I think that since the surface is frictionless, and all the forces that are acting on it (gravity and normal force from the incline) are going through the center of mass, so the net torque is 0 and it will not roll but slide. So using conservation of energy:

mgh=\frac{1}{2}mv^2 and v=\sqrt{2gh}

So the ratio is \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}

Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top