Mass and cylinder connected by a pully system

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a solid cylinder connected to a hanging mass via a pulley system, with the cylinder moving down an inclined plane. The objective is to determine the linear acceleration of the cylinder and the tension in the tape, considering the effects of friction and torque.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply conservation of energy and dynamic analysis but expresses confusion regarding the treatment of acceleration and torque. Some participants question the definitions and assumptions related to distance and energy changes, while others suggest using free-body diagrams to clarify the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the setup and assumptions of the problem, with some providing clarifications and suggestions for alternative approaches. There is no explicit consensus on the correct method or interpretation yet, as various aspects of the problem are still being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a figure in the textbook that is not provided in the thread, which may affect the understanding of the problem setup. The original poster has clarified the meaning of distance "d" in the context of the cylinder's movement along the ramp.

Houdini176
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Homework Statement



A solid cylinder of weight 50 lb (mass=2.3 kg) and radius 3.0 in (7.6 cm) has a light thin tape wound around it. The tape passes over a light, smoother fixed pulley to a 10-lb (mass=4.5 kg) body, hanging vertically. If the plane on which the cylinder moves is inclined 30 degrees to the horizontal, find a) the linear acceleration of the cylinder down the incline and b) the tension in the tape, assuming no slipping.

Homework Equations



I thought I knew how to do this using a conservation of energy approach, but my answers don't match up. I'm also not sure how to do this dynamically. When I try dynamically, the torque created by friction = (ma)/2. I'm not sure how to treat this, does the "a" refer to the overall linear acceleration (or, the linear acceleration of the center of mass) of the body or just the linear acceleration imparted by the frictional force? In another example in this book, when the only torque on the cylinder was friction, the "a" from friction=(ma)/2 and the overall linear acceleration were treated as if they were the same. How should I treat it (friction) and other torques, particularly the acceleration they impart on the body? Also, could someone tell me what I'm doing wrong (see below)? Thanks.

The Attempt at a Solution



MGHc=(MV^2)/2+(Iw^2)/2+MbGHb
MGHc=(MV^2)/2+(MV^2)/4+MbGHb
MGHc=3(MV^2)/4+MbGHb

I'm not so sure about this part, but because there is no slipping, the block should be "reeled in" in by cylinder's rotation as much as it is pulled upward from the cylinder's linear motion. So, Hb=2d and Hc=sin(30)d, where d is the linear distance the cylinder travels along the ramp.

M*G*sin(30)*d=3(MV^2)/4+2MbGd
M*G*sin(30)*d-2*Mb*G*d=3(MV^2)/4
4*G*d*(M*sin(30)-2(Mb))/(3M)=V^2=2ad
a=2*g*(M*sin(30)-2(Mb))/(3M)=0.71 m/2^s, but the answer is 0.47 m/s^2
 
Last edited:
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Make it clear what d means.

ehild
 
Sorry about that, I edited my post. d is the distance the cylinder travels along the ramp.
 
Houdini176 said:
d is the distance the cylinder travels along the ramp.

The potential energy of the cylinder should decrease with increasing d.

I think the solution is easier with a free-body diagram and writing equations for the linear and angular accelerations.

Is the tape at the top of the cylinder?

ehild
 
ehild said:
The potential energy of the cylinder should decrease with increasing d.

I think the solution is easier with a free-body diagram and writing equations for the linear and angular accelerations.

Is the tape at the top of the cylinder?

ehild

Yea, sorry about that the book provides a figure, but I did not. The tape is at the top of the cylinder.
 
Revise the potential energy.
I attach a drawing, you can edit it with Paint.


ehild
 

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