Deriving MOI of a Radially-Dependent Density Cylinder on an Incline

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a cylinder with a radially-dependent density rolling down an incline. The cylinder has mass M and radius R, starting from rest and rolling without slipping. The task is to derive the moment of inertia (MOI) of the cylinder, given its translational speed at the bottom of the incline.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy, including translational and rotational components. There are attempts to connect the velocity of the cylinder to its moment of inertia and questions about how to incorporate the radially-dependent density into the calculations.

Discussion Status

Several participants are exploring the conservation of mechanical energy and the relationships between linear and angular velocities. Some have proposed equations relating potential energy to kinetic energy, while others are questioning the correctness of their mathematical manipulations. There is no explicit consensus yet, but guidance has been offered regarding the use of energy conservation principles.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the problem due to the non-standard shape of the cylinder and the radially-dependent density, which may affect the calculations. There are also mentions of potential confusion regarding the application of equations and the units involved.

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Hello there I am really struggling with this and another problem and I was hoping you guys could help me out. The problem is as follows:

"the cylinder shown has a radially-dependent density with mass M and radius R. The cylinder starts from rest and rolls without slipping down the incline with height, H. At the bottom of the plane its translational speed is: (8gH/7)1/2

Show MOI of the object is 3/4MR^2."

(this is not a typical shape used in problems. it is going to be something more like a can and I just can't seem how to include the velocity in deriving the equation for I)

My attempt is here:
I = [tex]r<sup>2</sup>dm[/tex] [tex]\leftarrow[/tex] I don't know what dm becomes. I am thinking that [tex]\sigma[/tex] is involved in some way but I don't see where the velocity comes in from there. It may have something to do with density also, but again I can't find a way to connect velocity into that. I may totally wrong and probably am though.
 
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Stickboy10 said:
Hello there I am really struggling with this and another problem and I was hoping you guys could help me out. The problem is as follows:

"the cylinder shown has a radially-dependent density with mass M and radius R. The cylinder starts from rest and rolls without slipping down the incline with height, H. At the bottom of the plane its translational speed is: (8gH/7)1/2

Show MOI of the object is 3/4MR^2."

(this is not a typical shape used in problems. it is going to be something more like a can and I just can't seem how to include the velocity in deriving the equation for I)
What is the change in potential energy of the cylinder (use change in height of the centre of mass). What is its total kinetic energy then? Work out the translational kinetic energy. Is that the total kinetic energy? How much is missing? In what form is the missing kinetic energy? How is that related to the moment of inertia?

AM
 
U=MgH [tex]\leftarrow[/tex] since I don't have numbers I can't calculate that. but I know
Ui + Ki = Uf + Kf (assuming no E loss) [tex]\leftarrow[/tex] where Ki is zero and Uf is zero. I can split kf into Krot and Ktrans
so
U + 0 = 0 + Krot + Ktrans
Ktrans = [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]Mv2[tex]\leftarrow[/tex] inserting my vtrans in gives me
Ktrans = [tex]\frac{8gHM}{14}[/tex]

You asked how much is missing but I don't know how to calculate the missing Krot because I can't calculate the potential energy.

Krot = I [tex]\omega[/tex]2[tex]\leftarrow[/tex] So I solve for I: [tex]\frac{2K<sub>rot</sub>}{\omega<sup>2</sup>}[/tex]

Am I on the right track now?
 
you should be able to relate the velocity and the angular velocity by a circular to angular conversion. Something similar to

[tex]v = r \omega[/tex]
 
I see the relationship in the equation between v and [tex]\omega[/tex] but from there I don't see how I am relating the r with the work that I have done so far.
 
You don't need to worry about work. Just use the conservation of mechanical energy. If you use the relation between v and [tex]\omega[/tex] you will be able to find the total kinetic energy in terms of the mass, the final velocity, and the rotational inertia. Set this equal to the change in gravitational potential energy [tex]mg \Delta h[/tex] and you should be able to solve for I.
 
Ah, ok I think I see what you are saying and I see how the relationship brings in the r which something I have to have in my final equation.

So I have:
MgH = [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]I[tex]\omega[/tex]2 + [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]Mv2
and
[tex]\omega[/tex]= v/r
so
MgH = [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]I[tex]\frac{v}{r}[/tex]2 + [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]Mv2
I don't know if this is good math or not but this is where I am at now:
[tex]\frac{r<sup>2</sup>\cdot2MgH - \frac{8ghM}{14}}{\frac{8gh}{7}}[/tex] = I
 
Stickboy10 said:
[tex]\omega[/tex]= v/r
so
MgH = [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]I[tex]\frac{v}{r}[/tex]2 + [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]Mv2

Looks good except for you should have

[tex]\omega ^2 = v^2 / r^2[/tex]

(and when you are using latex, to make a superscript you just have to write r^2, not [SUP.])
 
why are they all squared when the original equation was v = r[tex]\omega[/tex]? where does the squaring come from?

oh, omega is sqaured in the conservation equation I set up so you just moved it into the other equation to show an easy variable switch.
 
  • #10
Stickboy10 said:
Ah, ok I think I see what you are saying and I see how the relationship brings in the r which something I have to have in my final equation.


I don't know if this is good math or not but this is where I am at now:
[tex]\frac{r^2 \cdot 2MgH - \frac{8ghM}{14}}{\frac{8gh}{7}}[/tex] = I

And actually your units do not work in this equation. Try doing it again.
 

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