How to understand the concept behind the rolling spool on a tabletop

In summary, the spool will either roll towards or away from the pulley depending on the relative sizes of the hub and spool. The hanging mass will move downwards due to gravity, unless the spool is not moving at all. The wire will need to move towards the hanging mass in order to maintain the system's equilibrium.
  • #1
Ajith12
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I have a problem involving the rotational version of Newton's Second Law. A spool is resting on a tabletop. A wire is wound around it counterclockwise and the free end of the wire goes over a pulley (located to the right of the spool) at the end of the table and attaches to a hanging mass. What happens to the spool when the system is released? Assume that there is friction between the spool and the table, and the spool undergoes pure rolling motion.

Does the spool roll away from/roll toward the pulley? If so, what happens to the hanging mass? Will it be at rest? or moving down, or moving up? If so, what is the reasoning behind it.
Thanks.
 

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  • #2
Ajith12 said:
Does the spool roll away from/roll toward the pulley?
What is the instantious point of rotation for a rolling spool? What is the moment from the thread force around that point?

Ajith12 said:
If so, what happens to the hanging mass? Will it be at rest? or moving down, or moving up?
Can the mass be at rest is the spool rolls? Can the mass move up without external energy input?
 
  • #3
Assuming this isn't homework, the spool rolls towards the hanging mass if the hub is smaller in radius than the spool, and away from the hanging mass if the hub is larger in radius than the spool (this would require that the spool be rolling on rails, with the larger radius hub free to rotate between the rails). If the hub has the same radius as the spool, then nothing moves unless the spool slides.

To confirm this, you can calculate what direction the wire moves if the spool rolls towards or away from the hanging mass (taking into account hub radius versus spool radius). The wire needs to move towards the hanging mass, since the only external force is gravity, which will accelerate the hanging mass downwards (unless nothing is moving).
 
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1. What is a rolling spool on a tabletop?

A rolling spool on a tabletop is a physical demonstration of rotational motion. It consists of a cylindrical object, such as a spool or a wheel, rolling along a flat surface.

2. How does the rolling spool move?

The rolling spool moves because of rotation and translation. The bottom of the spool is in constant contact with the tabletop, causing it to rotate. At the same time, the spool is also moving forward due to its translation along the surface.

3. What forces are involved in the rolling spool?

The rolling spool involves two main forces: friction and gravity. Friction between the spool and the tabletop allows for the rotational motion, while gravity pulls the spool downwards and helps maintain its translation.

4. How does the shape of the spool affect its rolling motion?

The shape of the spool can affect its rolling motion in several ways. A spool with a larger diameter will have a greater rotational inertia and therefore require more force to start and stop its rotation. A spool with a smaller diameter may have a more unstable rolling motion due to its lower rotational inertia.

5. What real-world applications can be demonstrated using the rolling spool on a tabletop?

The rolling spool on a tabletop can be used to demonstrate various concepts in physics and engineering, such as rotational motion, friction, and center of mass. It can also be used to model the motion of wheels and gears, which are crucial components in many machines and vehicles.

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