Conservation of Energy with Rotation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a small circular object with a specified moment of inertia rolling down a ramp and launching vertically. The context is centered around the conservation of energy principles, comparing initial and final heights of the object.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of energy, questioning the calculations of velocity at the end of the ramp and the assumptions regarding rotational motion after launch. There is also an emphasis on solving symbolically before substituting numerical values.

Discussion Status

Some participants express confusion over differing results from the textbook and their own calculations. There is acknowledgment of potential mistakes in the initial setup and calculations, with suggestions to revisit the symbolic approach. No consensus is reached, but there is a productive exchange of ideas regarding the problem-solving process.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies between their results and the textbook answer, highlighting the importance of careful attention to detail in calculations and assumptions about motion.

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Homework Statement



A small circular object with mass m and radius r has a moment of inertia given by I = cmr^2. The
object rolls without slipping along the track shown in the figure. The track ends with a ramp of height R = 2.5 m that launches the object vertically. The object starts from a height H = 6.0 m. To what maximum height will it rise after leaving the ramp if c = 0.40?


The Attempt at a Solution



My solution to this problem is 4.7 m.
So I'm pretty sure my answer is right but the textbook indicates the answer is 5.0 m which confuses me.

I applied conservation of energy from the starting point, mgH to the launch point (when it leave the ramp), mgR + 1/mv^2 + 1/2I\omega^2 , and then solved for v obtaining 6.55m/s.
Then, I used the equation v^2 = 2g(h-R), where h is the maximum height reached (note I'm
pretty sure once the object leaves the ramp, it loses its rotational motion and maintains only
linear motion after-though correct me if I'm wrong). Rearranging and substituting I obtain
h=4.7m.
 
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The textbook is correct here. The magnitude of velocity at the end of ramp is not 6.55 m/s.

That said, I suggest that you do not plug in the numbers until you solve everything symbolically. You will see that many things cancel each other out.
 
voko said:
The textbook is correct here. The magnitude of velocity at the end of ramp is not 6.55 m/s.

That said, I suggest that you do not plug in the numbers until you solve everything symbolically. You will see that many things cancel each other out.

Rather silly mistake on my part. I rearranged my equations and everything, but for some reason wrote c= 0.60 at the top of my page and kept referencing that value ...
 
Which, I assume, means you got the correct result?
 
voko said:
Which, I assume, means you got the correct result?

oh yeah I did. Thanks.
 

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