Moments caused by centripetal force?

AI Thread Summary
In a scenario involving a car moving in a circle, the centripetal force is typically provided by friction between the tires and the road. The discussion centers on a rigid rod fastened to the car's floor, which is designed to allow no reaction moments at the fastening point. The question posed is whether the centripetal force at the bottom of the rod would cause it to rotate about its center of mass under these conditions. The initial conclusion suggests that the centripetal force would indeed cause the rod to rotate, but there is uncertainty about whether it would simply fall outward instead. Overall, the mechanics of centripetal force in this context raises questions about rotational dynamics and stability.
TomW17
Messages
10
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


I was thinking about different scenarios in circular motion and came to this scenario. Suppose there's a car moving in a circle around some track. Obviously it's the frictional forces between the tyres and the road which provide the centripetal force. Now, suppose there's a rigid rod that is fastened to the floor of the car (fastened at one end in a way that the rod is upright initially), and let it be fastened in a way such that there are no reaction moments between the rod and the floor of the car (e.g. a ball and socket fastening). Here, it is the reaction forces between the fastening and the rod which provide the centripetal force, but here's my question. Does the centripetal force acting at the end (the bottom) of the rod cause it to rotate about its centre of mass if the fastening between the rod and the floor provides no reaction moments?

Homework Equations


F_c = m\frac{v^2}{\rho}, M = F \times r_{\perp}

The Attempt at a Solution


I think it would cause it to rotate, but I'm not sure here. My reasoning being that the centripetal force always acts in a direction traverse to the axis of the rod, which would end up causing it to rotate about its COM, but I'm not too sure.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
If I understand your setup correctly, it would just fall down towards the outside.
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Back
Top