How Do You Calculate Angular Acceleration After a Collision?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the angular acceleration of a metal bar after a collision with a steel ball, one must first determine the angular momentum of the ball before and after the impact using the formula L = r * m * v_y. The initial and final velocities of the ball, along with its mass and the rod's length, are crucial for these calculations. The angular velocity is then derived from the total angular momentum using the equation w = 3 * L / (m * r^2). A discrepancy in the expected result suggests a potential error in the calculations, prompting a request for further clarification and a vector diagram to visualize the problem. Accurate calculations are essential for determining the correct angular acceleration following the collision.
MARK STRETERS
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Homework Statement


A metal bar of length r is attached to a pivot point at (0,0) in the XY plane. A steel ball is projected toward the free end of the rod and strikes it at the tip. Show how to calculate the angular acceleration of the bar after the collision and draw a vector diagram to scale to show your result makes sense. The initial velocity of the ball is 22m/s in magnitude and it is moving at 40 degrees relative to the horizontal. After the collision, which last for .001 sec, the ball is moving at 15 m/s in magnitude with a direction of 22 degrees relative to the horizontal. The mass of the ball and the rod is 43g and the rod is 65 cm long.

Homework Equations


The one relevant equation we were given was I = 1/3 MR^2

The Attempt at a Solution


1. Calculated angular momentum of ball = r*m*v_y before and after collision. Subtracted the two to get total L(angular momentum)
2. w = 3*L/(mr^2)
3. Divided angular velocity by duration of collision.

But I got something in the 30 thousands and I believe the answer should be in the 20 thousands so something is wrong with the way that I am solving this.
 
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More details are needed. Could you post a diagram?
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
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