Net Acceleration: Is it Ever OK?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of net angular acceleration in a scenario involving a rotating wheel and the effects of friction. The original poster questions whether it is valid to equate net angular acceleration with the difference between angular acceleration and angular deceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between angular acceleration and deceleration, questioning the validity of subtracting these values. There is also a focus on how to relate the movement of a string to the torque acting on the wheel, particularly in the context of known acceleration and the role of friction.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the equations governing torque and angular acceleration. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of net torque and inertia, while questions remain about the implications of friction and the specifics of the setup.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the fixed acceleration of the string and how it interacts with friction in the system. The original poster's understanding of the relationship between these factors is still developing.

dan38
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Homework Statement


Is it ever alright to consider net acceleration as equalling
acceleration forward - acceleration backward

Here's the scenario:
I have a string rotating a wheel at 9.8 m/s^2 ( which I have converted to Angular Acceleration using a = α * r
There will be friction acting (Which I have used to calculate the angular deceleration
(Net Torque = Inertia*Angular Acceleration)


Homework Equations


So net angular acceleration = Angular Acceleration - Angular Deceleration?
Is that a valid method? Or do I have use F = ma somehow...


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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hi dan38! :smile:
dan38 said:
So net angular acceleration = Angular Acceleration - Angular Deceleration?
Is that a valid method? Or do I have use F = ma somehow...

you have to use τnet = Iα

you can subtract the torques: τ1 - τ2 = Iα, so α = (τ1 - τ2)/I :wink:
 
hmm but how do I convert the string's movement to a torque acting on the wheel? (Given that I only know it's acceleration)
 
dan38 said:
hmm but how do I convert the string's movement to a torque acting on the wheel? (Given that I only know it's acceleration)

oh, do you mean that the string is attached to something whose acceleration is fixed and known?

but then what is the relevance of the friction? :confused:
 
You're stating that the string is accelerating at 9.8 m / s2, regardless of the friction. In this case the angular acceleration of the wheel is fixed, and all the friction does is increase the tension in the string above that which is required for angular acceleration of the wheel (if there was no friction).
 

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