Paradox of Rigid Body: Solve the Mystery

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the dynamics of a rigid rod rotating about one end when subjected to an external tangential force. Participants explore the implications of constraint forces and the resulting equations of motion, raising questions about the calculations and assumptions involved in the analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a calculation involving the tangential force on mass elements of a rotating rod, leading to a conclusion that the total force is greater than the applied force, suggesting a paradox.
  • Several participants point out the importance of the constraint force at the fixed end, arguing that it must be considered in the analysis of the forces acting on the rod.
  • One participant references Carroll's paradox, questioning whether the scenario described aligns with it, while another asserts that the original post describes a real situation, not a paradox.
  • There is a discussion about calculating the constraint force, with one participant expressing confusion about its determination and the nature of constraint forces in general.
  • Another participant provides a mathematical derivation for the constraint force, indicating that it cannot be assumed to be zero, and challenges the assumptions made in the original post.
  • One participant expresses disagreement with the derivation presented, suggesting an alternative approach to calculating the constraint force based on the balance of forces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the calculations or the implications of the constraint force. Multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of the forces acting on the rod and how to properly account for them in the analysis.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the assumptions made about the constraint force and its role in the dynamics of the system. The discussion highlights the complexity of analyzing forces in a rotating rigid body and the potential for differing interpretations of the physical situation.

redoxes
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There is a rod treating as rigid body, the rod which mass is m and lenghth is R rotate about one end of itself with the angular acceleration [tex]\alpha[/tex]. Apply a tangential external force f on another end to make the rod rotate. Now divide the rod into elements of mass. For each mass element dm with the distance r from the fixed end, it acted by an tangential component of resultant force dF which satisfy:

[tex]dF=dm\cdot a_{t} = dm\cdot \alpha r =\lambda dr \cdot \alpha r[/tex]([tex]\lambda[/tex] is the linear density)

[tex]\alpha =\frac{M}{I}=\frac{fR}{\frac{1}{3}mR^{2}}[/tex] (M is the moment of force,I is the moment of interia about the fixed end)

So the tangential component of resultant force F of the rod will be:

[tex]F = \int_{0}^{R}\lambda dr \cdot \alpha r=\frac{m}{R}\frac{fR}{\frac{1}{3}mR^{2}}\int_{0}^{R}r\cdot dr=\frac{3}{2}f[/tex]

As we see, F is not equal to f, is this a paradox? what is wrong in this argument?
 
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There is a constraint force at the fixed end of the bar that is keeping the fixed end fixed, and you are ignoring this.
 
D H said:
There is a constraint force at the fixed end of the bar that is keeping the fixed end fixed, and you are ignoring this.

I think ,at the fixed end ,the tangential component of resultant force dF is zero according to [tex]dF =\lambda dr \cdot \alpha r[/tex],which have included the constraint force.
 
Try again.

If there were no constraint force the bar as a whole would go flying off.
 
Isn't this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carroll%27s_paradox" ? If you sum the moments around the free end, you'll see that there must be a nonzero component of force perpendicular to the bar at its fixed end, as D H says. Otherwise the bar wouldn't begin to rotate.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This is not Carroll's paradox. Carroll's paradox describes an unreal situation. The OP describes something that is real.
 
Ah, right you are; I spoke (wrote) too soon.
 
Note that the tangental force at the end of the rod is partially opposed by a force at the hinged end of the rod, and I don't see where this opposing force at the hinged end of the rod is taken into account in the original post.
 
Yep, I have realized that I ignored the constraint force, but I still do not understand how to calculate the constraint force f',it is f'=3f/2-f=f/2, isn't it? Is there another way to calculate it ? I only learn a few thing about constraint force before. Constraint force can adjust to the condition automatically, is that right?
Thanks!
 
  • #10
You have:
[tex]\frac{dF}{dr}=\lambda\alpha{r}=\frac{3f\lambda}{Rm}r[/tex]

This yields:
[tex]F(r)=\frac{3f\lambda{r}^{2}}{2mR}+C[/tex]
where C is an undetermined constant.
Using the relation F(R)=f, we get:
[tex]C=f-\frac{3}{2}fR\frac{\lambda}{m}=-\frac{1}{2}f[/tex]
and that is the constraint force at the hinge.

Your fallacy lies in assuming that constraint force to be 0.
 
  • #11
redoxes said:
Yep, I have realized that I ignored the constraint force, but I still do not understand how to calculate the constraint force f',it is f'=3f/2-f=f/2, isn't it? Is there another way to calculate it ?

You could sum the moments around the center of mass and apply

[tex]M_C=\dot{H}_C=I_C\alpha=ml^2\alpha/12[/tex].
 
  • #12
arildno said:
You have:
[tex]\frac{dF}{dr}=\lambda\alpha{r}=\frac{3f\lambda}{Rm}r[/tex]

This yields:
[tex]F(r)=\frac{3f\lambda{r}^{2}}{2mR}+C[/tex]
where C is an undetermined constant.
Using the relation F(R)=f, we get:
[tex]C=f-\frac{3}{2}fR\frac{\lambda}{m}=-\frac{1}{2}f[/tex]
and that is the constraint force at the hinge.

Your fallacy lies in assuming that constraint force to be 0.


I am afraid I could not agree with you, because under your assumption,there will be F(0)=C Which is not equal to zero at the fixed end, and this will make the rod fly off, so it sounds impossible. I would like to think:

[tex]f+C=F=\frac{3f\lambda R^{2}}{2mR}=\frac{3}{2}f[/tex]

and therefore: [tex]C=\frac{1}{2}f[/tex]

Is that right ?
 

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