Determining Force for Stopping Angular Motion in Rotating Body

AI Thread Summary
To determine the force needed to stop the angular motion of a motorcycle performing a wheelie, the mass and angular acceleration are essential. The torque can be calculated using the formula T = (force)(distance) or T = I*a, where I is the moment of inertia and a is angular acceleration. A suggested method involves measuring the force at the center of gravity using a scale, but this approach may not yield useful results due to weight distribution during a wheelie. The discussion emphasizes the need for specific parameters, such as lever arm length and stopping time, to convert angular momentum into force. Clarifying the available information and desired outcomes is crucial for accurate calculations.
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Hello
I am busy with a design project and need some help determining the force that can be exerted by a rotating body at its center of gravity.
Picture a motorcycle performing a wheelie, the center of gravity rotates about the rear axle. Given that the mass and angular acceleration are known, how would I find the force necessary to stop the angular motion about the rear axle at the center of gravity?
 
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Torque=(force)(distance) or T=Ia
I= moment of inertia and a is angular acceleration .
How about take a bathroom scale and lift the bike up at the angle the front tire is when doing the wheelie and set it on there . And the will give you the force and then multiply it by the distance from the center of the back wheel and this will give you the torque about that point. These are just some ideas .
 
Thanks cragar but that doesn't actually help me. I need the force resulting from the angular momentum. During a wheelie all the weight is on the back wheel anyway so putting it on a scale wouldn't tell me anything.
 
The dimensions of angular momentum are force * length * time. So there is no possible way to convert to a force without some additional information. You will need to specify the lever arm length and the stopping time. Once you have specified that then it is a simple conversion.
 
Well if the wheelbase is 1.4m, take the CG to be in the middle so lever arm will be 0.7m. Stopping time is difficult to estimate but I would say about 0.3s. Is it a simple impulse equation?
 
I don't know what you mean by impulse equation. Just take your angular momentum, divide by the lever arm length and the stopping time, and that will give you the required force.
 
Impulse is the force over time. How would I get the angular momentum? not sure of the formula
thanks
 
I'm sorry, this is confusing. I thought you already had the angular momentum.

Why don't you describe, as completely and clearly as possible, what information you have and what information you want.
 
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