Photo of rotating scale and falling coins

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a rotating scale and falling coins, focusing on the dynamics of the coins as they leave the scale and the effects of gravitational force and torque on their motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the differences between various options regarding the behavior of coins after leaving the scale. There are attempts to apply Newton's laws of motion and discussions about the initial angular acceleration of the scale.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided mathematical expressions related to the forces and torques acting on the coins. There is an ongoing exploration of the problem, with some guidance offered regarding the need for analytical solutions to determine the positions of the coins.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the application of Newton's laws and the interpretation of the problem's options. There is a mention of diagrams that illustrate different scenarios, which adds complexity to the discussion.

Pushoam
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Homework Statement


upload_2017-12-31_12-57-32.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


The option (a) says that the 1st coin remains at its earlier position. Due to gravitational force, the 1st coin falls down, hence option (a) is wrong.

I don’t understand the difference between option (B) and (C).

In my opinion, both option says that all of the coins which have left the scale falls down having same position vector.

I am not being able to apply Newton's laws of motion here.
 

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Please complete the template and provide the statement of the problem and the relevant equations.
 
kuruman said:
Please complete the template and provide the statement of the problem and the relevant equations.
The forces acting on the coin after leaving the scale is m ## \vec g ## .

The torque on the scale about the fixed end is

## mg \frac 1 2 L = \frac { mL^2} 3 \alpha ##

## \alpha = \frac { 3g } {2L} ##

that part of the scale ( which is at a distance L' > ## \frac { 2L} 3 ## from the pivot ) has an acceleration magnitude ## \geq g ## .

So, the coins at a distance L' > ## \frac { 2L} 3 ## will leave the scale, while the rest of the coin will remain on the scale. Hence, the answer is option (B).

Is this correct?
 
Pushoam said:
The option (a) says that the 1st coin remains at its earlier position.
As I read diagrams a to c, they all show the leftmost coins still on the scale, with the rightmost forming a horizontalline below the initial position. They only differ in where the bend in the line is. Yes, diagram a) has the bend very near the left, but not quite.
So you need to solve the problem analytically to find whereabouts the bend shpuld be, then see which diagram looks closest.
Pushoam said:
I am not being able to apply Newton's laws of motion here.
Why not? Try to determine the initial angular acceleration of the scale.
 
haruspex said:
Why not? Try to determine the initial angular acceleration of the scale.
Please see the post # 2.
 
Pushoam said:
The forces acting on the coin after leaving the scale is m ## \vec g ## .

The torque on the scale about the fixed end is

## mg \frac 1 2 L = \frac { mL^2} 3 \alpha ##

## \alpha = \frac { 3g } {2L} ##

that part of the scale ( which is at a distance L' > ## \frac { 2L} 3 ## from the pivot ) has an acceleration magnitude ## \geq g ## .

So, the coins at a distance L' > ## \frac { 2L} 3 ## will leave the scale, while the rest of the coin will remain on the scale. Hence, the answer is option (B).

Is this correct?
Looks good.
 
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