Find the force as a function of radius to pull a ribbon

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the force required to pull a ribbon wrapped around a rotating disc as a function of the radius. The presence of friction is debated, complicating the solution. The net torque must be zero since the ribbon is pulled at a constant velocity, leading to confusion about the relationship between torque and angular acceleration as the radius changes. Participants suggest defining variables as functions of time and applying relevant equations to establish relationships. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics involved, particularly the constant tangential velocity of the disc despite the changing radius.
Kanda ryu
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Homework Statement



A disc is free to rotate about an axis passing through its center and perpendicular to its plane. The moment of inertia of the disc about its center is I. A light ribbon is tightly wrapped over it in multiple layers. The end of the ribbon is pulled out at a constant velocity 'u'. Let the radius of the ribboned disc be 'R' at any time and thickness of ribbon be 'd' (d<<R).Find the force (F) required to pull the ribbon as a function of radius R.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



What confuses me is whether friction is present or not. The question doesn't clearly specify about friction. Assuming friction exists, the question gets difficult to solve. As it is being pulled with uniform velocity, net torque about the center of disc should be zero, so I tried equating net torque at R and and a small change in radius R-dx but it doesn't seem to help .I need a little hint on understanding the question and how to start off with it.
 
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Kanda ryu said:
As it is being pulled with uniform velocity, net torque about the center of disc should be zero
The radius of disc+layers of ribbon does decrease, albeit slowly. So if the ribbon moves with constant u, the disc still needs some angular aceleration.
 
So equating torque is completely out of use as angular acceleration would be different as R decreases right? But isn't the ribbon pulled in a way that the ribbon has a constant linear velocity so the ribbon in contact with disc will also have constant velocity. Assuming no slipping between ribbon and disc, disc should also have constant tangential velocity, hence constant angular velocity. If not then how do I get a relation between force and change in radius?
Here is the diagram.
 

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Kanda ryu said:
constant tangential velocity, hence constant angular velocity.
With a changing radius??
 
Alright I get it, there is angular acceleration. Could you give me a hint on starting the question?
 
Assume some ##\omega## and ##R## at ##t=0## (\ for example ##\omega_0## and ##R_0##\ ) and start applying your relevant equations ( oops...:rolleyes: )
 
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Kanda ryu said:
Alright I get it, there is angular acceleration. Could you give me a hint on starting the question?
The usual approach: define some variables that will be functions of time and write some equations relating them to each other and to the given constants.
 
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