Find M, Mx, and My for a thin plate if density=ky

  • Thread starter Thread starter cloudboy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Plate
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the mass (M), moment about the x-axis (Mx), and moment about the y-axis (My) for a thin plate with a density function of d(x) = ky, bounded by the curves y = 2 - x and y = 4 - x². The user successfully set up the integrals for mass and moments but faced challenges with integration and limits. Ultimately, they derived M = 44k/5 and My = 9k/2, while clarifying the correct formulas for calculating x̄ and ȳ, which are averages of the moments over mass.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of double integrals in calculus
  • Familiarity with moment calculations in physics
  • Knowledge of area bounded by curves
  • Basic proficiency in integration techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Study double integrals in Cartesian coordinates
  • Learn about calculating centroids of laminae
  • Research integration techniques for polynomial functions
  • Explore applications of moments in physics and engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students in calculus courses, particularly those studying physics or engineering, as well as educators looking for examples of applying integration to real-world problems involving mass and moments.

cloudboy
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Set up integrals to find M, Mx, and My for the thin plate if d(x)=ky

bounded by y=2-x and y = 4-x^2 or x = sqrt(4-y)

Homework Equations



M = \int dm = \intd(x)dA
Mx = \intydm
My = \intxdm

The Attempt at a Solution


I broke this down into three equations. x1 = 2-y; x2 = -sqrt(4-y), x3= sqrt(4-y)
I used horizontal elements so that d(x) is constant across the entire element.

When calculating M, I got \int(ky)(x2-x1)dy = \int(0→3)(ky)(sqrt(4-y))-(2-y)dy + \int(3→4)(ky)(sqrt(4-y))-(-sqrt(4-y))dy

I got this down to:

k\int(0→3)(y2-2y+ysqrt(4-y))dy + 2k\int(3→4)(ysqrt(4-y))dy

The problem is basically that I can't figure out how to integrate these to find the total mass. Please help thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I feel it would be much simpler to handle this as a double integral, integrating wrt y first. That will avoid surds in the bounds.
 
haruspex said:
I feel it would be much simpler to handle this as a double integral, integrating wrt y first. That will avoid surds in the bounds.

It very well may, I just haven't learned anything about that yet.

EDIT -- I am looking up double integrals, how would you apply it here?
 
Last edited:
In x-y co-ordinates, an element of area is dxdy (or dydx - either will do).
So the mass of lamina covering a region A is \int_{(x,y) \in A}ρ(x,y) dx dy. If the area is bounded by f(x)<y<g(x) and a<x<b then you can write M = \int_{x=a}^b\int_{y=f(x)}^{g(x)}\rho(x,y) dy dx
 
Ok I'm in my first calculus class and some of unfortunately I don't even recognize some of your notation. But I do understand somewhat and will try to use this. Thanks very much.

ok i am trying to figure this out. but my density function is ky, where k is some constant. it doesn't have an x value
 
Last edited:
The plate is bounded by y= 4- x^2 and by y= 2- x which intersect when y= 4- x^2= 2- x or x^2- x- 2= (x- 2)(x+ 1)= 0

With density ky, the mass is given by
M= \int_{x=-1}^2 \int_{y= 2-x}^{4- x^2} ky dydx
 
HallsofIvy said:
The plate is bounded by y= 4- x^2 and by y= 2- x which intersect when y= 4- x^2= 2- x or x^2- x- 2= (x- 2)(x+ 1)= 0

With density ky, the mass is given by
M= \int_{x=-1}^2 \int_{y= 2-x}^{4- x^2} ky dydx
ok I watched a couple videos on youtube and this is what I came up with:

M= \int_{x=-1}^2 \int_{y= 2-x}^{4- x^2} ky dydx
⇔ k\int_{y=2-x}^{4- x^2} ydy
= k (y2/2) = k [(4-x^2)/2 - (2-x)/2]
= k/2 [4-x^2 - 2+x]
= k/2 [-x^2+x-2]

then

M= \int_{x=-1}^2 (k/2 [-x^2+x-2]) dx
= (k/2)[(-x^3)/3 + (x^2)/2 +2x]from -1->2
= ... = 9k/4
how bad is it?
 
Last edited:
cloudboy said:
M= \int_{x=-1}^2 \int_{y= 2-x}^{4- x^2} ky dydx
That's My, right?
⇔ k\int_{y=2-x}^{4- x^2} ydy
= k (y2/2) = k [(4-x^2)/2 - (2-x)/2]
No, you've dropped a power of 2. Setting y = 4- x2 in y2/2 gives (4- x2)2/2
 
Ok I did it again making sure to get the powers correct and I got M = 44k/5.
I calculated My to be 9k/2.

When I divided My/M to get xbar I got 88/45 which can't be right!
 
  • #10
cloudboy said:
Ok I did it again making sure to get the powers correct and I got M = 44k/5.
I calculated My to be 9k/2.

When I divided My/M to get xbar I got 88/45 which can't be right!
I don't get quite the same. I have M = 31/6, My = 549/310, giving ybar (not xbar!) about 1.8. That's quite close to what you have, and seems perfectly reasonable to me.
 
  • #11
haruspex said:
I don't get quite the same. I have M = 31/6, My = 549/310, giving ybar (not xbar!) about 1.8. That's quite close to what you have, and seems perfectly reasonable to me.

That's strange. I thought xbar = My/M ? Maybe I am getting my limits messed up, I evaluated My from 0->3, because from 3->4 is symmetric.
 
  • #12
cloudboy said:
That's strange. I thought xbar = My/M ?
No. ∫∫ydydx/∫∫dydx must be computing an average value of y.
Maybe I am getting my limits messed up, I evaluated My from 0->3, because from 3->4 is symmetric.
What is from 0 to 3? x? The x range is determined by where the two curves meet.
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
4K