How can the total horizontal force on a rolling ball be shown to be zero?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the total horizontal force acting on a ball rolling without slipping on a horizontal plane. The subject area includes concepts from dynamics and rotational motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to combine equations of motion for a rigid body with rolling constraints but seeks guidance on how to proceed. Some participants question the assumption of constant velocity, suggesting that the original statement may need clarification regarding the conditions of motion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. There is a recognition of the need to clarify the conditions under which the ball is rolling, and some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between forces and motion.

Contextual Notes

There is ambiguity regarding whether the ball is rolling at a constant velocity or if it can accelerate, which affects the application of Newton's second law. The problem does not specify these conditions, leading to varied interpretations among participants.

Logarythmic
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How can I show that when a ball is rolling without slipping on a horizontal plane, the total horizontal force on the ball must be zero?

I guess I should consider the ball as a rigid body and combine the equations describing the rotation with the rolling constraints, but how? Can someone give me a starter here?
 
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The statement is not correct. I think you meant to say that it is rolling at a constant velocity without slipping. If it's translational and rotational velocities are constant, then what can you say about F=ma?

But you can definitely accelerate a ball on a horizontal plane by applying a net force...
 
The problem says nothing about constant velocity, just that the ball is constrained to move on a horizontal plane. Otherwise, a = 0 and F = 0.
 
When the ball is not slipping, you can say something about the normal force.
 
Yeah, equal to mg?
 
edit: nevermind.
 
Last edited:

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