Finding the Height of a Nail for a Rolling Cylinder without Slipping

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a cylinder rolling without slipping that collides with a fixed nail, and the objective is to determine the height of the nail above the floor such that the cylinder rolls back without slipping. The discussion centers around concepts of momentum conservation, angular momentum, and the effects of forces during the collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of the collision being elastic and the relationship between linear and angular momentum. There are attempts to derive equations relating the forces and torques involved, particularly focusing on the height of the nail and its effect on the cylinder's motion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations of the forces at play and the role of friction being debated. Some participants have suggested specific equations and relationships, while others express confusion about the assumptions being made regarding friction and torque.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the assumption that the nail applies only a lateral force, which has led to discussions about the unrealistic nature of this scenario. Participants are also grappling with the implications of the cylinder's motion and the conditions under which it rolls without slipping.

  • #31
tiny-tim said:
(I take it you mean a stationary wheel)

It depends where you apply the force.

If the point of application is the centre of the wheel (or if the line of application passes through the centre), then I agree. But if the point of application is off-centre, then the wheel will accelerate and will start to turn.

:

yes that was what i meant. The difference being that if there was friction, then the wheel would turn.

again, i thought that slipping means that something doesn't have enough grip. And with grip you have friction. So in order to see when the wheel would slip, you got to have friction for that./
 
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  • #32
Oerg said:
yes that was what i meant. The difference being that if there was friction, then the wheel would turn.

You're missing my point, that even that if there is no friction, then the wheel can still turn:
tiny-tim said:
But if the point of application is off-centre, then the wheel will accelerate and will start to turn.

You agree?

Then, if you judge the point of application right, the velocity and the turn may match, and there will be no slipping - even on ice! :smile:

Do you agree? :smile:
 

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