Reason for body to slip away from centre of a rotating disc

In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between centrifugal forces and the tendency of a body on a rotating disc to slip away from the center. It is agreed that centrifugal forces keep the disc together as it rotates, but the role of internal stiffness is debated. It is also noted that friction plays a crucial role in preventing the body from sliding on the disc. The concept of centrifugal force as an inertial force is also introduced, and its role in a rotating frame of reference is explained.
  • #1
andyrk
658
5
Why does a body kept on a rotating disc tend to slip away from the centre?
 
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  • #2
Centrifugal forces (or centripetal forces, different view on the same thing).
It does not slip if you hit the center exactly, but you'll never get that.
 
  • #3
I disagree. Centrifugal forces are what keeps the disc together as it rotates. Inertia is what causes a body to slip away from the center.
 
  • #4
paisiello2 said:
Centrifugal forces are what keeps the disc together as it rotates.
That is wrong in both relevant coordinate systems.
In rotating coordinates, centrifugal forces point outwards and the internal stiffness of the disk has to counter them.
In nonrotating coordinates, the elements of the disk need an inwards force to move in a circle, which is provided by the internal stiffness.

For objects on the disk, friction replaces the role of internal stiffness.
 
  • #5
You're absolutely right. A centrifugal force is an inertial force.
 
  • #6
In order for the body to travel in a circle, centripetal force needs to be exerted by the disc onto the body, but this is limited by the friction force between the disc and body, and if the body slides on the disc, it moves in a spiral like pattern with both centripetal and tangential acceleration. If the friction force was zero, the body would move in a straight line (assuming it had some initial velocity).

In an inertial frame of reference, centrifugal reaction force would be the real outwards force that the body exerts on the disc. In a rotating frame of reference, centrifugal force is the fictitious force exerted on the body, and there is still a Newton third law pair of forces, the inwards force exerted by the disc onto the body, and an outwards force exerted by the body onto the disc. In a rotating frame of references where the body does not slide on the disc, it experiences no acceleration with respect to the rotating frame.
 
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What causes the body to slip away from the centre of a rotating disc?

The body slips away from the centre of a rotating disc due to centrifugal force. This force is generated by the rotation of the disc and acts outward, pushing the body away from the centre.

How does the speed of rotation affect the body's position on a rotating disc?

The faster the rotation of the disc, the stronger the centrifugal force and the further the body will slip away from the centre. This is why it is easier to stay at the edge of a spinning carousel than in the middle.

Does the size of the rotating disc matter in the body's position?

Yes, the size of the disc does matter. A larger disc will have a greater circumference, meaning the body will have to travel a longer distance to complete one rotation. This results in a higher centrifugal force and a larger slip away from the centre.

Can the body ever stay at the centre of a rotating disc?

No, it is not possible for the body to stay at the exact centre of a rotating disc. This is because the centrifugal force will always act on the body, pushing it away from the centre.

Is there any way to prevent the body from slipping away from the centre of a rotating disc?

Yes, the body can be prevented from slipping away by adding a centripetal force that acts towards the centre of the disc. This force can be created by attaching the body to the centre of the disc or by using a force such as friction to counteract the centrifugal force.

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