Relationship between radius and force under constant torque?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between radius and force in a wheel subjected to constant torque. Participants explore how tangential force varies with distance from the axis of rotation, considering both rigid body dynamics and the implications of angular acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the tangential force on a particle at a distance R/2 from the axis is F/2, assuming a rigid body model.
  • Others argue that the tangential force increases linearly from the axis of rotation as angular speed increases, with a proportional relationship to tangential acceleration.
  • A participant questions whether the application of torque from the center or the side affects the tangential force experienced by particles on the wheel.
  • There is a suggestion that points further from the axis have a greater moment of inertia and must reach a higher angular velocity, leading to a proposed equation F = T*r^2, though this is met with skepticism.
  • Some participants clarify that in a rigid body model, all points attain the same angular velocity and acceleration, which challenges the notion of varying forces based on distance from the axis.
  • A participant critiques the phrasing of force at a point, emphasizing that force acts on a mass and that the moment of inertia should consider mass as well.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the relationship between radius and force, with no consensus reached on the proposed equations or the implications of torque application.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include assumptions about rigid body dynamics, the dependence on definitions of force and moment of inertia, and unresolved mathematical reasoning regarding the proposed relationships.

24forChromium
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Suppose that there's a wheel. A constant torque is applied to the wheel from the central axis.

What is the relationship between the amount of force received by each particle on the wheel in relation to the distance each particle is away from the axis?
 
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By 'amount of force' do you mean the total tangential force? Of course, as the object increases its angular speed the centripetal component will grow. Assuming a rigid body model the tangential force increases linearly from the axis of rotation.
 
brainpushups said:
By 'amount of force' do you mean the total tangential force? Of course, as the object increases its angular speed the centripetal component will grow. Assuming a rigid body model the tangential force increases linearly from the axis of rotation.
you mean:
tangential force received by point = torque*radius?
 
Sorry if I wasn't clear. Say you have a force F applied at the radius R. The tangential force on a particle at a distance R/2 will be F/2 (again, assuming a rigid body model).
 
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brainpushups said:
Sorry if I wasn't clear. Say you have a force F applied at the radius R. The tangential force on a particle at a distance R/2 will be F/2 (again, assuming a rigid body model).
I see, and I suppose it doesn't matter whether or not is the torque applied from the center or from the side?
 
I don't believe it does. Think about what is happening in the wheel. The points on the edge speed up with a tangential acceleration which must be proportional to the tangential force. Because the tangential acceleration varies linearly from the pivot the tangential force must also.
 
brainpushups said:
I don't believe it does. Think about what is happening in the wheel. The points on the edge speed up with a tangential acceleration which must be proportional to the tangential force. Because the tangential acceleration varies linearly from the pivot the tangential force must also.
that sounds right, and the points further away from the axis have a greater moment of inertia don't they? If they have a greater angular inertia and have to reach an angular velocity higher than those near the axis, shouldn't the equation be F = T*r^2 ?
 
24forChromium said:
the points further away from the axis have a greater moment of inertia don't they?

Yes.

24forChromium said:
If they have a greater angular inertia and have to reach an angular velocity higher than those near the axis,

The particles have the same angular velocity in the rigid body model.

24forChromium said:
shouldn't the equation be F = T*r^2 ?

Not sure how you reason that.
 
24forChromium said:
that sounds right, and the points further away from the axis have a greater moment of inertia don't they? If they have a greater angular inertia and have to reach an angular velocity higher than those near the axis, shouldn't the equation be F = T*r^2 ?
If the body is rigid then all points attain the same angular velocity and have the same angular acceleration.
 
  • #10
jbriggs444 said:
If the body is rigid then all points attain the same angular velocity and have the same angular acceleration.
I think only certain, I will say, physics grammar need to be observed while asking or replying questions. I point out some instances:
1. Force cannot be given or accepted like energy. It acts on an object, which should be a material having some mass, I think. in that sense the phrase force at a point has no significance, if we do not know ultimately it is acting on what. In this case where-ever we apply the force it is acting on the whole wheel.
2. moment of Inertia of a point with no regard to its mass is again a meaningless statement.
 
  • #11
brainpushups said:
The particles have the same angular velocity in the rigid body model.
That may depend on where you observe.
 

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