How Much Force to Overcome a Step with a Wheel?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eagle Eyes
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mass Radius Wheel
AI Thread Summary
To determine the maximum force required for a wheel to climb over a step, one must analyze the torques acting on the wheel at the point of contact with the step. The force applied horizontally at the center of the wheel must create sufficient torque to overcome the gravitational torque due to the wheel's weight. The problem can be approached by considering the potential energy changes as the wheel climbs. Understanding the relationship between the radius of the wheel, its mass, and the height of the step is crucial for calculating the required force. This analysis will lead to the correct expression for the maximum force F.
Eagle Eyes
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A wheel of radius R and mass M is dragged over a step of height h by force F applied horizontally at its center. What is the maximum value of F required so that the wheel climbs over the step? (Hint: wheel climb is equivalent to a rotation around the point of contact with the step.)

Homework Equations



Not available.

The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea how to start this. But i would use potential energy perhaps?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Eagle Eyes said:

Homework Statement



A wheel of radius R and mass M is dragged over a step of height h by force F applied horizontally at its center. What is the maximum value of F required so that the wheel climbs over the step? (Hint: wheel climb is equivalent to a rotation around the point of contact with the step.)

Homework Equations



Not available.

The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea how to start this. But i would use potential energy perhaps?

You're going to want to consider the Σ Torques > 0 needed to pivot over the edge of the step as the hint suggests.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

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...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Push/Pull Force of wheeled cart on an incline
Replies
7
Views
4K
How Do Friction and Force Affect the Angular Velocity of Connected Wheels?
Replies
19
Views
3K
Applying a force in a wheel bicycle
Replies
2
Views
1K
Accelerating a car including the moment of inertia of the wheels
Replies
33
Views
11K
How High Can a Wheelbarrow Go Over a Step Relative to Its Wheel Radius?
Replies
21
Views
10K
Mechanics: Two masses on a pulley causing two cylinders to accelerate
Replies
16
Views
2K
Descending mass on rope attached to wheel
Replies
13
Views
7K
How Much Force is Needed to Lift a Wheel Over an Obstacle?
Replies
2
Views
5K
Maximum force pulling a wheel without it slipping
Replies
2
Views
2K
Forces of Rolling Homework: Find Frictional Force on Wheel
Replies
10
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top