Moment of Inertia Problem: cylinder pivoting ona bearing

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The problem involves calculating the moment of inertia (Icm) of a solid cylinder with a mass of 2.07 kg and a radius of 0.135 m, which pivots on a frictionless bearing. A string pulls downward with a force equal to the weight of a 0.570 kg mass, causing the mass to move 0.350 m in 0.490 s. The relevant equations include torque (T), moment of inertia (I), and translational acceleration (at). The confusion arises from the relationship between torque and angular acceleration, particularly in how to isolate Icm without canceling necessary variables.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational dynamics, specifically torque and moment of inertia.
  • Familiarity with kinematic equations for linear motion.
  • Knowledge of the relationship between linear and angular acceleration.
  • Basic principles of forces acting on rotating bodies.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the moment of inertia for various shapes, focusing on solid cylinders.
  • Learn how to apply Newton's second law in rotational motion contexts.
  • Explore the relationship between torque, angular acceleration, and moment of inertia in detail.
  • Practice solving multi-step physics problems involving rotational dynamics.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and rotational dynamics, as well as educators looking for examples of complex problem-solving in this area.

delecticious
Messages
65
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



M, a solid cylinder (M=2.07 kg, R=0.135 m) pivots on a thin, fixed, frictionless bearing. A string wrapped around the cylinder pulls downward with a force F which equals the weight of a 0.570 kg mass. Starting from rest, the mass now moves a distance 0.350 m in a time of 0.490 s. Find Icm of the new cylinder.
prob16b_002masspulley2.gif


Homework Equations


T -torque
I - moment of inertia
s = 1/2(v0 +vf)t
T/alpha = I
transational acceleration (at) = (alpha)r
translational force (Ft) = m(at)
T = Ft(r)


The Attempt at a Solution


I started out by solving for acceleration using the time, distance and initial velocity given, but it's from there where I'm completely confused. To find I, I have to divide T by alpha, but if T is equal to m(at)r which can also be rewiten as mr^2(alpha) then won't the alpha's cancel out making fiding the acceleration useless? When I do that I get mr^2 = I but that can't be right. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
delecticious said:
M, a solid cylinder (M=2.07 kg, R=0.135 m) pivots on a thin, fixed, frictionless bearing. A string wrapped around the cylinder pulls downward with a force F which equals the weight of a 0.570 kg mass. Starting from rest, the mass now moves a distance 0.350 m in a time of 0.490 s. Find Icm of the new cylinder.
I don't understand the problem. What new cylinder? (Did you present the problem exactly as given?)

Is that your figure or one that came with the problem?
 
sorry, this problem has 4 different steps to it. The first step had a figure and the last 3 go with this figure. In the last step they changed the moment of inertia for the cylinder but everything else concerning the cylinder is the same, so disregard the "new" in front of cylinder if you like, it makes sense in the series of 4 steps but since you've only seen this part of the question it's just as well the only cylinder.
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
6K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K