I How does a screw roll down an inclined plane?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the motion of a screw or cone rolling down an inclined plane, specifically how it behaves under the influence of gravity and friction. It is noted that the screw oscillates or pendulates as it rolls, creating a zigzag motion rather than a straight descent. The participant expresses uncertainty about quantitatively analyzing this motion using mechanics, despite conducting experiments that support the observed behavior. The mechanics of rolling involve the screw pivoting around its apex while the base moves downward, influenced by centrifugal effects and kinetic friction. Overall, the inquiry highlights the complexities of analyzing the motion of non-standard shapes on inclined planes.
Tanreom
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How would the motion of a screw rolling down an inclined plane work?
I was thinking about how various objects would slide down on an inclined plane, and I just couldn't figure this problem out.

So let's say I have this screw or cone on its side, on an inclined plane. If friction exists, what would the motion of the screw be as it slides down the inclined plane?

There is no initial velocity and no air resistance either. The only forces acting on the object would be gravity, normal force, and friction.

I know that the screw is apparently supposed to pendulate back and forth as it rolls down, kinda like a zigzag curve, but I'm not sure how that would be...

Edit: I have tried experiments, and the screw seems to oscillate as it rolls down the incline. What I don't know is how to quantitatively anaylze the motion using mechanics.
 
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I imagine the base of the cone would begin to roll downward about its apex. The apex wouldn't move. The effect would be like a pendulum rolling on a plane about its apex.

Or the base of the cone would begin to roll downward about its apex. The apex in turn would be pulled down too, and the base of the cone would track a kind of zigzag curve as it rolled back and forth sliding down the plane.

And some math to go along with it:

https://www.mathpages.com/home/kmath227/kmath227.htm
 
Have you thought about doing an experiment? An ice cream cone might work, without the ice cream of course.
 
Tanreom said:
Summary: How would the motion of a screw rolling down an inclined plane work?

I was thinking about how various objects would slide down on an inclined plane, and I just couldn't figure this problem out.

So let's say I have this screw or cone on its side, on an inclined plane. If friction exists, what would the motion of the screw be as it slides down the inclined plane?

There is no initial velocity and no air resistance either. The only forces acting on the object would be gravity, normal force, and friction.

I know that the screw is apparently supposed to pendulate back and forth as it rolls down, kinda like a zigzag curve, but I'm not sure how that would be...
Screws and inclined planes are INCREDIBLY easy to come by. Do an experiment.
 
I have done experiments, in fact. But I don't know how to quantitatively analyze the motion...
 
Welcome!
I assume the screw is rolling only on its head and tip.
If in static condition, with the tip pointing up, the screw does not slide down the plane, but it does when rolling and swinging, then the centrifugal efect when the tangential velocity of the head is around maximum value, as well as kinetic friction, should be what makes the difference.
 
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