How Long Until a Bowling Ball Starts Rolling Without Slipping?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bowling ball sliding down an alley and transitioning to rolling without slipping. It includes calculations related to deceleration, angular acceleration, and the time it takes for the ball to start rolling. The context is rooted in dynamics and rotational motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial deceleration and angular acceleration, with one expressing uncertainty about how to determine the time before the ball starts rolling without slipping. Questions arise regarding the conditions for rolling without slipping and the role of friction in this context.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the relationship between translational and rotational speeds, suggesting that the condition for rolling without slipping is when the linear speed equals the rotational speed times the radius. There is an ongoing exploration of how to mathematically express this relationship and apply it to find the time.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of friction in the transition from sliding to rolling and discuss the need for a clear setup of calculations to solve for the time involved. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the problem and the need for careful consideration of the equations involved.

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A bowling ball 28 cm in diameter is slid down an alley with which it has a coefficient of sliding friction of µ = 0.52. The ball has an initial velocity of 11 m/s and no rotation. g = 9.81 m/s2. Note: For a sphere Icm = (2/5)mr2.

a) What is the initial deceleration of the ball?
b) What is the initial angular acceleration of the ball?
c) How long does it take before the ball starts to roll without slipping?
d) If it had been moving 15.4 m/s initially, how long would it have taken the ball to start rolling without slipping?
---------------------------
Okay, I've gotten parts a and b, but I'm stuck on C. If I can get C, I can get D easily.

part a) Just did summation of forces in x direction =ma.
u*m*g=m*a
|a|=5.096 m/s

part b) Net torque=I*alpha
so u*m*g*r=(2/5)MR^2*alpha
alpha= 91 rad/sec^2

part c) Okay, this probably is simple to figure out, but I'm not seeing it. I have my initial deceleration and initial angular acceleration of the ball.
Ok, so what do I do to find the time before the ball starts rolling?
 

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Originally posted by rdn98
part c) Okay, this probably is simple to figure out, but I'm not seeing it. I have my initial deceleration and initial angular acceleration of the ball.
Ok, so what do I do to find the time before the ball starts rolling?
What's the condition for rolling without slipping? The translational speed will decrease, and the rotational speed will increase, until that condition is met.
 
Um, the condition has something to do with friction? So the ball starts to roll when its greater than the force of friction against it?
 
Originally posted by rdn98
Um, the condition has something to do with friction? So the ball starts to roll when its greater than the force of friction against it?
Well, yes, it has to do with friction: if there were no friction, the ball would never start rolling.

I have no idea what your second sentence means.[b(]

Consider this: as long as the surface of the ball keeps sliding against the floor, friction will act to slow it down.

Take a look at this thread for a hint: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9572&highlight=rolling+slipping
 
I already knew that the speed of the ball surface with respect to the ground is zero.

But I'm still clueless as to how to set up my calculations. Please excuse my questioning. I'm not a physics whiz like you doc al. :smile:
 
The force of friction on the ball exerts torque about the center of rotation. This causes the ball to spin in addition to slowing it down.

You should be able to determine the rotational speed of the ball as a function of time.

You should also be able to determine the linear speed of the ball as a function of time.

When the rotational speed of the ball * the radius of the ball = the linear speed, then the surface of the ball is moving at the same speed as the ball, and it stops slipping.
 
Originally posted by rdn98
I already knew that the speed of the ball surface with respect to the ground is zero.
Well... that's only true when it rolls without slipping. But that's the secret. Now express that mathematically. The speed of the center of the ball (translational) is V. The speed of the bottom of the ball, with respect to the center, is ωr (going backwards). So then, the speed of the bottom of the ball with respect to the ground is: V - ωr. Setting that equal to zero is the condition for rolling without slipping. So... when V = ωr is the point where it rolls without slipping.

Does that make sense?
 
Lol. Okay, I knew I had to use that equation, I should have said that earlier. I feel like I have all the pieces in front of me, but just putting it all together is the obstacle.

One thing though, should I use one of those constant angular acceleration equations? Thats what I'm thinking I got to do.
 
Last edited:
Yup.

Ok. You know that v=vo+at

well, v=w*r
and w=alpha*t

substitute all that into above equation, and solve for time.

Same idea for part d, just use different vo.
 

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