How Do You Calculate the Linear Acceleration and Impact Velocity of a Load?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the linear acceleration and impact velocity of a load attached to a drum in a mechanical engineering context. Participants explore the dynamics involved when the brake on the drum is released, focusing on the application of relevant equations and concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The initial poster seeks guidance on determining the linear acceleration of a 15kg load and its impact velocity when released from a height of 2.4m.
  • One participant suggests using Newton's second law (F = ma) for the load and the torque equation (τ = Iα) for the drum, along with the rolling constraint (a = rα).
  • Another participant reiterates the need for an equation to find the linear acceleration specifically when the brake is released, affirming the relevance of F = ma.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the relevance of fundamental physics equations to solve the problem, but there is no consensus on the specific approach or equation to use for calculating the linear acceleration.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the specific mathematical steps or assumptions needed to derive the linear acceleration and impact velocity, leaving these aspects open for further exploration.

brooker2009uk
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Homework Statement



was wondering if anybody here does mech engineering and if so can they point me in the right direction of this question please.


Figure 1 below shows a drum of mass of 50kg and radius 350mm. The drum can be assumed to be a uniform solid cylinder. A rope of negligible mass is wrapped around the drum and is attached to a load of 15kg which is held 2.4m above the ground initially. Determine:
• the linear acceleration of the 15kg load when the brake preventing the drum from rotating is released and
• the velocity with which the 15kg load will impact the ground with.

(Assume the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2.)

drum-1.png



Homework Equations



q = qo + wo t + (1/2)a t2
w2 = wo
2 + 2 a q

to start, i am not looking the answer and i just want someone to please show me how to get the linear acceleration

thanks
 
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welcome to pf!

hi brooker2009uk! welcome to pf! :smile:

(btw, this is a fairly standard dynamics problem also, so you'll get answered sooner if you post future questions like this in the physics homework forum :wink:)

you'll need F = ma for the load, and τ = Iα for the drum …

(and also the rolling constraint, a = rα)

call the tension "T" …

what do you get? :smile:
 
thank you, that is getting the torque but i need an equation to get the linear acceleration of the load when the brake is released
 
brooker2009uk said:
thank you, that is getting the torque but i need an equation to get the linear acceleration of the load when the brake is released

yes, that's F = ma !

get on with it! :smile:
 

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