Kinetic Energy of two Rolling Objects on a Slope

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the total kinetic energy of a system involving a hollow cylinder and a smaller solid cylinder rolling inside it on an incline. The large cylinder has mass M, moment of inertia I, and radius R, while the small cylinder has mass m, moment of inertia i, and radius r. The kinetic energy equations for both cylinders are derived, with particular attention to the translational and rotational components. Key insights include the necessity of accounting for differing angular velocities and the additional kinetic energy term arising from the small cylinder's motion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational dynamics and moment of inertia
  • Familiarity with the parallel axis theorem
  • Knowledge of angular velocity relationships in rolling objects
  • Basic principles of kinetic energy in mechanical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of kinetic energy for rolling objects in detail
  • Learn about the parallel axis theorem and its applications in physics
  • Explore the relationship between translational and rotational motion in mechanics
  • Investigate advanced topics in dynamics, such as non-slip conditions in rolling motion
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Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in advanced dynamics and the behavior of rolling objects on inclines.

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Hi everyone, not a homework problem, just something I was thinking about when I found in a book.

Homework Statement



A hollow Cylinder is rolling down an incline of angle theta. Inside the cylinder is a smaller solid cylinder rolling freely inside it. (Refer to diagram)

4658180035_bb2d74b463_b.jpg


Given an x coordinate from the top of the slope which the cylinders were released, and:

Large Cylinder has mass M, moment of inertia I, radius R
Small cylinder has mass m, moment of inertia i, radius r
(p.s. I labeled the small mass m wongly in the diagram!)

The small cylinder is allowed to roll freely in the large cylinder, and we call the angle it makes from vertical phi.

What is the Total Kinetic Energy of the system?

Homework Equations



v=rw
K=(1/2)Iw^2 > where w is angular velocity

The Attempt at a Solution



The Kinetic Energy for the Large Cylinder seems straightforward:

<br /> K=\frac{1}{2}\left(M\dot{x}^2+\frac{I\dot{x}^2}{R^2}\right)<br />
which is the translational KE and the rotational KE.

However, I am not sure about about the smaller cylinder. I believe there are 3 parts to its KE, namely the translational KE, the KE associated with it doing a circular motion on the rim of the large cylinder (I use the parallel axis theorem), and its own rotational KE.

<br /> K=\frac{1}{2}\left(m\dot{x}^2+\left(i+m\left(R-r\right)^2\right)\dot{\phi}^2+\frac{i\dot{x}^2}{r^2}\right)<br />

However, I am unsure about this because the small cylinder is also rotating somewhat around the large cylinder which is itself rolling down the slope.

Any advice or help is appreciated! Thank you!
 
Last edited:
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the last term should be multiplied my R^2 / r^2.

we assume there is no slip at the contact between the 2 cyls. so the (translational) velocities of the points of contact between the 2 cyl is the same.

so R*w1 = r*w2

w2 = (R/r)*w1

this brings in the extra factor

the mistake you made was in assuming the same w for both the cylinders
 
Last edited:
graphene said:
the last term should be multiplied my R^2 / r^2.

we assume there is no slip at the contact between the 2 cyls. so the (translational) velocities of the points of contact between the 2 cyl is the same.

so R*w1 = r*w2

w2 = (R/r)*w1

this brings in the extra factor

the mistake you made was in assuming the same w for both the cylinders
Hi,

I did know that the angular velocities for each cylinders are different

<br /> v=R\omega_{M}=r\omega_{m} <br />, thus

<br /> \omega_{m}=\frac{\dot{x}}{rR}R=\frac{\dot{x}}{r}<br />

Which I have taken into account already in the last term which is the small cylinder's own rotational kinetic energy about its own axis.

Also, I found a solution which adds another term:

<br /> m\dot{x}\dot{\phi}\left(R-r\right)\left(\frac{i}{mr^2}+cos\left(\phi+\theta\right)\right)<br />

But I do not understand where that comes from. Can anyone please help shed some light?
 

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