Describing the translation and rotation of a square frame

[Igor Oliveira]

Homework Statement

Four equal discs of mass

ocuppy the vertices of a square frame made by four rigid bars of length

and negligible mass. The frame is at rest on a horizontal table, and it can move with negligible friction. An instantaneous impulse

is transmitted to one of the masses, in the direction of one of the square`s diagonals. Describe completely the subsequent movement of the system.

Answer: The center of mass moves with constant velocity

and the frame spins with angular velocity

Homework Equations

Linear momentum:

Angular momentum:

Impulse-momentum theorem:

The Attempt at a Solution

I obtained the first result by assuming that the the linear momentum transmitted by the impulse will be divided into four chunks, which will be associated with each mass. Then, the center of mass will notably move with velocity

. But why can I assume that? And shouldn`t the velocity be less than

, considering that part of the energy given to the frame will be associated with its rotation?

(This problem was found in a textbook written in portuguese, so the translation might not be the best. Please comment any doubt with the problem statement!)

 

[alejandromeira]

Ok, the total movement is the displacement of center or mass plus the rotation of mass around it.

How can you compute, the angular velocity $\omega$?
Can you based in the geometry compute L? (p is totally transmited)
And the relation betwenn L, I and w?
Can you compute I for this system?

 

[Igor Oliveira]

Thanks for the comment, Alejandro! I stopped thinking in terms of energy, and was able to solve this problem fairly easily.
(The terms in bold are vectors)
I) After the instantaneous impulse, there will be no net external force acting on the system. Thus, the linear momentum must be conserved. Besides that, we know that the center of mass (CM) moves as if all linear momentum was concentrated in it.
P = 4mv_CM ⇔ v_CM = P/4m.

II) On the other hand, after the instantaneous impulse, there will be no net external torque acting on the system. Therefore, the angular momentum must be conserved. Let r_i be the position of mass i in relation to the CM, and v_i its velocity. Then, we must have:
L = r₁×(mv₁) + r₂×(mv₂) + r₃×(mv₃) + r₄×(mv₄)
The direction of all vectors is the same. Then, we can work with the magnitudes of the vectors. Moreover, we know that the magnitude of r_i is r, and the magnitude of v_i is v.
L = rmv + rmv + rmv + rmv ⇔ L = 4mvr.
v = ωr ⇒ L = 4mwr²
But L = rP ⇒ rP = 4mwr² ⇔ ω = P/4mr.
Also, r = √2⋅l/2. And finally: ω = P/2√2ml

 

[alejandromeira]

Yes, I've made the problem, and only a half of A4 it's necessary for goal the solution