Predict the position of a particle on a rigid body

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around predicting the position of a particle on a rigid body in 2D space after an impulse is applied. The original poster presents an equation to describe the motion of the rigid object under the influence of gravity and an impulse, seeking validation of their approach.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of applying an impulse and the resulting motion of the rigid body. They question the assumptions regarding net torque and the relationship between applied forces and the motion of the object. The original poster revises their equations based on feedback and clarifies their assumptions about the force application period.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the original poster's equations and assumptions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the treatment of torque and the implications of constant forces, but no consensus has been reached on the correctness of the equations presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the problem due to the interplay between impulse, torque, and the forces acting on the rigid body. The original poster also indicates their background in computer science, which may influence their understanding of the physics involved.

xyge
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1. Problem Statement
Assume there is an rigid object with mass m in 2D space, an impulse J = FΔt is applied at time t1 at the particle Pimp and Pimp is on the exterior boundary of the object. The impulse cause a free plane motion of the object and the object is only affected by the force of the gravity. Here I am interested in what is the position of a particular particle Pi of the object at a later time point t2.
2-3. Relevant Equations and The Attempt at a Solution
I developed a equation for this but not sure whether it is correct:
\begin{equation}p_i(t_2) = p_i(t_1) + \int_{t_1}^{t_2} v^\prime + \omega^\prime \times (p_i(t) - p_r(t)) + \mathbf{a} t \,dt\end{equation}
where:
\begin{equation} v^\prime = v_0 + J/ m
\\
\omega^\prime = \omega_0 + I^{-1} \tau
\\
\tau = (p_{imp}(t_1) - p_{r}(t_1)) \times J
\\
\mathbf{a} = F/m + \tau / I \times (p_i(t) - p_r(t)) - \omega_0^2(p_i(t) - p_r(t))
\end{equation}
v0 and ω0 are the initial linear velocity and angular velocity respectively.
pr refers to the position of the particle around which the object rotates.

is the equation correct? It is not a homework but related to my research. I am from computer science and do not have enough physics. Please help..
 
Last edited:
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xyge said:
the net force and net torque remain constant during the motion.
I don't think that's possible, unless the initial net torque is zero. That's because a nonzero net torque will make the body rotate so that, if the direction of the force remains constant, the angle of the force to the direction from point of application to the body's centre of mass will change, thereby changing the torque. On the other hand, if the direction of the force rotates to keep the torque constant, the force vector is not constant.
 
andrewkirk said:
I don't think that's possible, unless the initial net torque is zero. That's because a nonzero net torque will make the body rotate so that, if the direction of the force remains constant, the angle of the force to the direction from point of application to the body's centre of mass will change, thereby changing the torque. On the other hand, if the direction of the force rotates to keep the torque constant, the force vector is not constant.
Thank you for your reply.
I changed the assumption to " the object is only affected by the force of gravity". does the equation make sense?
 
An impulse is the result of applying a force over a period. What is the period over which the force is applied, and what is the relationship of that period to the period ##[t_1,t_2]##?

In the 3rd equation in your part 2, it looks like you are still assuming that the force is always applied at right angles to the line connecting the point of application to the centre of mass. For the reason outlined in post 2, that is unlikely to be correct.
 
andrewkirk said:
An impulse is the result of applying a force over a period. What is the period over which the force is applied, and what is the relationship of that period to the period ##[t_1,t_2]##?

Sorry it made you confused. what i want to say is, there is an impulse J applied at a time point t1 and lasts for Δt, and I am interested in the position of a particle at a later time point t2 after the impulse is applied. Initially I thought Δt is very short (i.e. t1 + Δt ≈ t1) so I ignored the Δt in the equation. Now I updated the equation:
\begin{equation}p_i(t_2) = p_i(t_1 + \Delta t) + \int_{t_1 + \Delta t}^{t_2} v^\prime + \omega^\prime \times (p_i(t) - p_r(t)) + \mathbf{a} t \,dt\end{equation}

Thank you for pointing it out.
andrewkirk said:
In the 3rd equation in your part 2, it looks like you are still assuming that the force is always applied at right angles to the line connecting the point of application to the centre of mass. For the reason outlined in post 2, that is unlikely to be correct.
In the 3rd equation, × refers to a cross product of vectors. I am not assuming "the force is always applied at right angles to the line connecting the point of application to the centre of mass."
 
That makes it clearer.

With that explanation, the term ##\mathbf{a}t## can be removed from the integral, as there is no acceleration in the time period ##[t_1+\Delta t,t_2]##.
Accordingly, the last equation in (2) can be discarded.

##\tau## is the angular impulse that was imparted in the period ##[t_1,t_1+\Delta t]##. It is not equal to ##(p_{imp}(t_1) - p_{r}(t_1)) \times J## but rather to

$$
\int_{t_1}^{t_1+\Delta t}(\vec p_{imp}(t) - \vec p_{r}(t)) \times \frac{d\vec J(t)}{dt}dt
$$

which is equal to

$$
\int_{t_1}^{t_1+\Delta t}(\vec p_{imp}(t) - \vec p_{r}(t)) \times \vec F(t)dt
$$

where ##\vec F(t)## is the force applied at time ##t##.
 
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andrewkirk said:
That makes it clearer.

With that explanation, the term ##\mathbf{a}t## can be removed from the integral, as there is no acceleration in the time period ##[t_1+\Delta t,t_2]##.
Accordingly, the last equation in (2) can be discarded.

##\tau## is the angular impulse that was imparted in the period ##[t_1,t_1+\Delta t]##. It is not equal to ##(p_{imp}(t_1) - p_{r}(t_1)) \times J## but rather to

$$
\int_{t_1}^{t_1+\Delta t}(\vec p_{imp}(t) - \vec p_{r}(t)) \times \frac{d\vec J(t)}{dt}dt
$$

which is equal to

$$
\int_{t_1}^{t_1+\Delta t}(\vec p_{imp}(t) - \vec p_{r}(t)) \times \vec F(t)dt
$$

where ##\vec F(t)## is the force applied at time ##t##.
looks great ! thanks.
I am just wondering what will happen if the object is affected by a constant force through the motion, In this case, we have to include a. is it like:
\begin{equation}
\mathbf{a} = \vec{F_{net}}/m + \tau / I \times (p_i(t) - p_r(t)) - \omega_0^2(p_i(t) - p_r(t))
\\
\tau =(p_{mc}(t) - p_r(t)) \times \vec{F_{net}}(t) dt
\end{equation}
where pmc is the position of the mass centre and Fnet is the constant net force that acted upon the mass centre.
 
The new formula for ##\vec a(t)## uses ##\tau## to represent a torque, whereas it is already in use as representing an angular impulse.
Is ##\vec F_{net}(t)## intended to be the new force that applies in the interval ##[t_1+\Delta t,t_2]##?
 
andrewkirk said:
Is ##\vec F_{net}(t)## intended to be the new force that applies in the interval ##[t_1+\Delta t,t_2]##?
yes, correct.

andrewkirk said:
The new formula for ##\vec{a}(t)## uses τ to represent a torque, whereas it is already in use as representing an angular impulse.
sorry, i should use a new notation for this torque (which is different from the torque generated by the impulse): ## \tau_{new} ##. and this torque is created by ## \vec{F}_{net} ##. Here I update the equation using the new notation:

\begin{equation}
\mathbf{a} = \vec{F_{net}}/m + \tau_{new} / I \times (p_i(t) - p_r(t)) - \omega_0^2(p_i(t) - p_r(t))
\\
\tau_{new} =(p_{mc}(t) - p_r(t)) \times \vec{F_{net}}(t) dt
\end{equation}

is it ok now? thanks
 

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