How Do You Solve This Rotational Motion Problem?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a rotational motion problem involving a spool and the forces acting on it. Participants emphasize the importance of considering the torque from both the applied force and friction, particularly in relation to the spool's center of rotation. They explore how the angle of the applied force affects the direction of rotation and the role of friction. Key insights include that the torque generated by the applied force determines whether the spool rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on its line of action. The conversation highlights the need for accurate diagrams to visualize the forces and torques involved in the problem.
coldblood
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Hi friends,
Please help me in solving this problem, I'll appreciate the help.

The problem is as:


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/q71/s720x720/1470127_1461728164054289_845411707_n.jpg

Attempt -

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/q71/s720x720/1468786_1461728244054281_988835356_n.jpg


Thank you all in advance.
 
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hi coldblood! :smile:

you're only considering the torque of F (about the centre) … what about the torque of the friction? :confused:

hint: the clue is in the diagram

what do you think that dotted line is there for (the extension of F)? :wink:

what would happen if the angle was larger, and that dotted line went exactly through the bottom of the spool?
 
tiny-tim said:
hi coldblood! :smile:

what would happen if the angle was larger, and that dotted line went exactly through the bottom of the spool?

thread unwinds, spool rotates counter-clock and friction would act right wards. Is that correct?
 
(just got up :zzz:)
tiny-tim said:
what would happen if the angle was larger, and that dotted line went exactly through the bottom of the spool?

(ie if the force goes exactly through the point of contact with the horizontal surface)
coldblood said:
thread unwinds, spool rotates counter-clock and friction would act right wards. Is that correct?

nooo (and what was your reason?) :redface:

hint: where is the centre of rotation?

what is the total torque about the centre of rotation? :wink:
 
tiny-tim said:
](ie if the force goes exactly through the point of contact with the horizontal surface)

If the external force acts at the bottom point horizontally,

It'll provide spool an anti clockwise torque, friction will act leftwards. And I think thread should unwind.

Because I found some equations: if the force acts at the top point horizontally in + x direction, It generates a torque in clockwise manner and direction of friction is rightwards.
 
coldblood said:
If the external force acts at the bottom point horizontally,

no, you're not understanding what I'm saying …

i'm saying, if the angle α is increased so that the pulling force F is further round, and steeper, and so the line of action of F (as well as f) goes through that bottom point
 
tiny-tim said:
no, you're not understanding what I'm saying …

i'm saying, if the angle α is increased so that the pulling force F is further round, and steeper, and so the line of action of F (as well as f) goes through that bottom point


Then the spool will be rotating clockwise, friction will act right right and thread unwinds.
 
??

how many forces are there on the spool?

what is the torque of each of them about the bottom point?

so what is the total torque?
 
tiny-tim said:
??

how many forces are there on the spool?

what is the torque of each of them about the bottom point?

so what is the total torque?

About bottom point only the torque of F will act because weight, frictional force and the reaction from the ground will pass through that point only.
 
  • #10
coldblood said:
About bottom point only the torque of F will act because weight, frictional force and the reaction from the ground will pass through that point only.

exactly! :smile:

so if the line of action of F passes
(a) to the left of
(b) to the right of
(c) directly through​
the bottom point, which way will the spool turn? :wink:
 
  • #11
tiny-tim said:
exactly! :smile:

so if the line of action of F passes
(a) to the left of
(b) to the right of
(c) directly through​
the bottom point, which way will the spool turn? :wink:

Can you please make a figure for the three? Please
 
  • #12
(a) is the diagram in the top-left corner of your printed question

for (b) and (c), if you move the string further round, α will increase, and the dotted line will slide over to the right

(eg if α = 90°, it's obviously to the right!)
 
  • #13
tiny-tim said:
(a) is the diagram in the top-left corner of your printed question

for (b) and (c), if you move the string further round, α will increase, and the dotted line will slide over to the right

(eg if α = 90°, it's obviously to the right!)


https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1476572_1462877957272643_1028005643_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/q71/s720x720/936643_1462877960605976_1351577648_n.jpg
 
  • #14
hi coldblood! :smile:

your first equation, α = F(b - a)/IP is correct only if the angle of F is 0

you have drawn F in the wrong place, F does not come out of the bottom of that small circle, it has to be tangential, so it comes from a point at the same angle from the vertical as F is from the horizontal :wink:

and you do not really need to calculate it exactly, or to use k

it's enough to say "the only torque about P is from F, which is clearly clockwise, and so the spool rotates clockwise" :smile:

similarly, the only torques about C are F (anticlockwise) and f … since we know the spool rotates clockwise, that means that the torques of f must be … ? :smile:

now do the other two cases, (b) and (c) (with a corrected diagram)​
 
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