Grindstone and kinetic friction problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a grindstone, modeled as a solid disk, that is rotating and comes to a stop when an ax is pressed against its rim. The goal is to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between the ax and the grindstone, given specific parameters such as the grindstone's dimensions, mass, initial rotation speed, and the normal force applied.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between kinetic energy and work done by friction, with one participant attempting to apply the work-energy theorem. Others question the accuracy of the distance calculation based on the changing velocity of the grindstone during deceleration.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the calculations involved in determining the coefficient of kinetic friction. Some participants suggest alternative methods for calculating distance based on average angular velocity, while others express uncertainty about the accuracy of their values and seek clarification on specific calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may limit the information available and the assumptions that can be made. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations regarding the physics involved in the problem.

armolinasf
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Homework Statement



A grindstone in the shape of a solid disk with diameter .52m and mass 50 kg is rotating at 850 rev/min. You press an ax against the rim with a normal force of 160 N and the grindstone comes to a rest in 7.5 seconds. Find the coefficient of kinetic friction of the ax on the grindstone.



The Attempt at a Solution



Since the friction causes the grindstone to come to a stop, then the initial kinetic energy of the grindstone must equal the negative of the work done by friction. And the force of friction is given by the coefficient of friction, k , times the normal force, n, so the work done will be that force times the distance x.

Using the work energy theorem for the grindstone we would get W=-.5Iv^2, where I is the moment of inertia and v is its initial speed.

I=MR^2/2=(50*.26^2)/2=1.69 kgm^2
v=850 rev/min=89rad/sec
x=89(7.5)(2pi.26)=1090 m

knx=-.5Iv^2
k=(.5Iv^2)/nx
k=(.5)(1.69)(89^2)/(160)(1090)=.038

This is obviously wrong and it doesn't match the answer of.482 given by my text, but where am I going wrong? Thanks for the help.
 
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Velocity will not be constant over the 7.5 seconds that the axe is in contact with the grindstone. So your "distance" figure, based upon total revolutions of the circumference, will not be accurate.
 
A shortcut: With a constant force, the deceleration will be constant and so the angular velocity decreases linearly. That means that the average angular velocity will be the simple average of the beginning and ending angular velocities: (850+ 0)/2= 425.
revolutions per second.

(I can see no reason to divide by 2\pi to convert "revolutions per second" to "radians per second" when you then multiply by 2\pi[/tex] to find the circumference of the wheel.)
 
Ok so I could still use the work energy relationship to find k. The distance would then be the average angular velocity times r, or x=110.5. Using this i get a more reasonable answer of .380 but still not the .482 in my book...
 
armolinasf said:
Ok so I could still use the work energy relationship to find k. The distance would then be the average angular velocity times r, or x=110.5. Using this i get a more reasonable answer of .380 but still not the .482 in my book...

Your value for x looks suspect. Can you show your calculation?
 
It was suspect...so average angular velocity is 425 rev/min/60sec=(7.08 rev/sec).26=1.84 m/sec. 1.84*7.5sec=13.81 meters.

Using this value for x i get k=3.03
 
armolinasf said:
It was suspect...so average angular velocity is 425 rev/min/60sec=(7.08 rev/sec).26=1.84 m/sec. 1.84*7.5sec=13.81 meters.

Using this value for x i get k=3.03

(425 rev/min) * (1 min / 60 sec) * (2pi rad/rev) * (0.26 m) = 11.57 m/sec
 

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