Linear acceleration and moments of intertia

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SUMMARY

This discussion addresses two physics problems: calculating linear acceleration and determining moments of inertia. The first problem involves a 6.00-kg cylindrical reel and a 4.00-kg bucket falling for 4.00 seconds, where the correct formula for linear acceleration must be derived. The second problem requires calculating the moments of inertia for four masses positioned at the corners of a rectangle, with specific coordinates and masses provided. The initial calculations for both problems contained errors, particularly in the application of formulas and understanding of distances relevant to moments of inertia.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion
  • Familiarity with rotational dynamics and moments of inertia
  • Knowledge of basic algebra for manipulating equations
  • Concept of gravitational force and its impact on falling objects
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of linear acceleration in rotational systems
  • Study the calculation of moments of inertia for various shapes and configurations
  • Practice problems involving multiple masses and their distances from axes
  • Learn about the relationship between torque and angular acceleration
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to linear acceleration and moments of inertia.

yugo2113
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Im having problems with two questions, the first is linear acceleration, A 6.00-kg cylindrical reel with a radius of 0.600 m and a frictionless axle, starts from rest and speeds up uniformly as a 4.00-kg bucket falls into a well, making a light rope unwind from the reel. The bucket starts from rest and falls for 4.00 s. Find the linear acceleration of the falling bucket.

The formula I am using which I am not sure if it is correct is tmg/mt(1/2)M where t is time, m is the mass of the bucket, g is gravity, and M is the mass of the reel.

attempting to solve this problem I always end up with 3.26, somewhere I think I have my math or variables mixed up and can't come to the right conclusion


the second problem I am having trouble with is moments of interia, Four objects are held in position at the corners of a rectangle by light rods with M1=2.70kg and located at (-2m,3m), M2=1.70kg and located at (2m,3m), M3=4.10kg and located at (2m,-3m) and M4=2.10kg and located at (-2m,-3m). M stands for the masses of the objects. Find the moments of intertia along the x-axis and the y-axis respectively.

I found the moment of intertia of the system at the origin of (0m,0m) by adding the x and y coordinates and squaring them to get 9 for the distance of each mass and then multiplying that by each mass and adding each individual mass together to get the answer of 137.8kg/m^2 however that formula doesn't seem to work when I try to find the x-axis or y-axis moment of intertia by multiplying the radius of each mass by its respective mass then adding all 4 masses together. please help.
 
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Hi yugo2113,

yugo2113 said:
Im having problems with two questions, the first is linear acceleration, A 6.00-kg cylindrical reel with a radius of 0.600 m and a frictionless axle, starts from rest and speeds up uniformly as a 4.00-kg bucket falls into a well, making a light rope unwind from the reel. The bucket starts from rest and falls for 4.00 s. Find the linear acceleration of the falling bucket.

The formula I am using which I am not sure if it is correct is tmg/mt(1/2)M where t is time, m is the mass of the bucket, g is gravity, and M is the mass of the reel.

This formula is not correct. If you notice, it doesn't have the right units (m/(kg s^2) ).

However, the formula is very close to being right. After the time cancels (which is good since the acceleration does not depend on time), it looks to me like you might have just made a simple algebra error. Try looking over your work again, and if you can't find the error please post your work.

attempting to solve this problem I always end up with 3.26, somewhere I think I have my math or variables mixed up and can't come to the right conclusion


the second problem I am having trouble with is moments of interia, Four objects are held in position at the corners of a rectangle by light rods with M1=2.70kg and located at (-2m,3m), M2=1.70kg and located at (2m,3m), M3=4.10kg and located at (2m,-3m) and M4=2.10kg and located at (-2m,-3m). M stands for the masses of the objects. Find the moments of intertia along the x-axis and the y-axis respectively.

I found the moment of intertia of the system at the origin of (0m,0m) by adding the x and y coordinates and squaring them to get 9 for the distance of each mass and then multiplying that by each mass and adding each individual mass together to get the answer of 137.8kg/m^2 however that formula doesn't seem to work when I try to find the x-axis or y-axis moment of intertia by multiplying the radius of each mass by its respective mass then adding all 4 masses together. please help.

I don't think I follow what you've done. If you're trying to find the moment of inertia about the x-axis, you need the distance r that each mass is from the x-axis. What is that distance for each mass? Do you get the right answer for the moment of inertia?
 

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