Finding angular velocity using work energy theorem

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on using the work-energy theorem to find angular velocity, highlighting issues with the methods attempted. The first method fails due to the angular acceleration varying with cos(θ), making constant acceleration formulas inapplicable. The second method incorrectly uses potential energy as U = Mθ instead of U = mgh. Participants express confusion about the variable M and its relevance to the problem. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need to correctly account for gravitational effects when applying these principles.
theBEAST
Messages
361
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


cmPVt.png


Homework Equations


Inertia about pin = ml^2/3
Work done by rotation = M*theta = 0.5(Inertia about pin) *ω2

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried two different methods and both came out to be the same answer. However they did not correspond to any of the multiple choice answers... What am I doing wrong?

zsts9.jpg


Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Method 1: The angular acceleration varies with \cos(\theta). So using constant acceleration formulas doesn't work. You simply can't use that method.

Method 2: The potential energy is still U=mgh, not U=M\theta.
 
frogjg2003 said:
Method 1: The angular acceleration varies with \cos(\theta). So using constant acceleration formulas doesn't work. You simply can't use that method.

Method 2: The potential energy is still U=mgh, not U=M\theta.

Thanks, but why does Mtheta not work?
 
I'm not even sure what M is.
 
frogjg2003 said:
I'm not even sure what M is.

Moment about the pin.
 
It's still wrong. It should be \frac{1}{2}M\omega. But that by itself contains no information about the fact it's in gravity.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
18
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K