Force exerted by a rolling body

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    Body Force Rolling
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the forces exerted by a block and a rolling cylinder on an inclined surface, specifically focusing on the normal force in the context of frictionless and rolling conditions. Participants explore the differences in force dynamics between a sliding block and a rolling cylinder.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that the force exerted by a rolling cylinder on an inclined surface may differ from that of a sliding block due to its rolling motion.
  • Another participant argues that if the surface is frictionless, the cylinder cannot roll, as it would only have linear acceleration without angular acceleration.
  • A participant clarifies that they are specifically asking about forces perpendicular to the surface, questioning whether there would be any force other than mgcos∅.
  • One participant asserts that the normal force remains the same at mgcos∅ for both the sliding block and the rolling cylinder.
  • Another participant reiterates the focus on perpendicular forces, suggesting that the gravitational force component and the normal force in the direction of cos(θ) will be mgcos(θ) in both cases.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the force exerted by the rolling cylinder differs from that of the sliding block, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the assumptions regarding the conditions of friction and the implications for rolling motion versus sliding motion.

sodaboy7
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Lets consider a block of mass m, sliding down an inclined surface (no friction) at an angle ∅ with ground. The force exerted by this block on the inclined surface is mgcos∅ which is perpendicular to it. Now consider a cylinder of same mass m and rolling (without slipping) down the same plane. What will be the force exerted by the rolling cylinder on inclined surface? will it be mgcos∅ or something more than that due to its rolling motion.
 
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If the surface is frictionless, the cylinder isn't rolling, since it will have linear acceleration, but not angular acceleration. If there's friction, then that will produce an upwards force in the sin(θ) direction.
 
in case of block its frictionless and in case of rolling its not. I am asking about forces perpendicular to surface not along the surface. So will there be any force other than mgcos∅?
 
The normal force will be the same: mgcos∅
 
sodaboy7 said:
I am asking about forces perpendicular to surface not along the surface. So will there be any force other than m g cos(θ)?
Since's there's no component of acceleration in the direction of cos(θ), the component of force from gravity and the opposing normal force from the plane in the direction cos(θ) will be m g cos(θ) (as Doc Al just posted), in either the sliding or the rolling case.
 

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