Releasing a rod tied to a string which was held at an angle

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the tension in a string supporting a rod when the left string is cut. The rod has a mass of ##m## and length ##l##, with ##\sin \theta = 3/5##. The initial equations of motion include translational dynamics and rotational dynamics, specifically using the moment of inertia formula for a rod, ##I_{rod} = \frac{ml^2}{12}##. After correcting the equations, the final tension is determined to be $$T=\frac{15mg}{52}$$, confirming the calculations are accurate.

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FreezingFire
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Homework Statement


"Find the tension in the right string, when the left string is cut, if the mass of the rod is ##m## and its length is ##l##, and ##\sin \theta = 3/5##. The rod is initially horizontal." Please refer the diagram below (sorry for its clumsiness!).
PicPhys.png


Homework Equations


$$I_{rod} = \frac{ml^2}{12}$$
$$\tau _{CM} = I_{rod,CM} \cdot \alpha _{CM}$$ ##\tau## represents torque, CM to denote "in the centre of mass frame", ##\alpha## is the angular acceleration.

The Newton's Laws of Motion.

The Attempt at a Solution


First, only looking at the translational motion of the centre of mass, we get two equations:
$$ mg - T \sin \theta = ma_x \qquad\text{...(i)}$$
where ##T## represents the tension in the string and ##a## represents acceleration.
$$ T \cos \theta = ma_y \qquad \text{...(ii)}$$
Now, using the rotational dynamics formula,
$$ T \sin \theta \cdot l = \frac{ml^2}{12} \cdot \alpha \qquad \text{...(iii)} $$
I have these three equations, which i think are correct. However i doubt my fourth equation:
$$ a_y - \frac{l\alpha}{2} = a_x \cot \theta \qquad \text{...(iv)}$$
as acceleration of the point attached to the string, along the string, must be zero. However, on solving them, i get,
$$T=\frac{mg}{2 \sin \theta - 3 \sin \theta \tan \theta}=\frac{-20mg}{3}$$
which seems to be wrong (i don't have the correct answer to it). Where am i going wrong? Is the fourth equation really correct? If not, how do i correct it? Please guide me.

Thanks in advance!
 
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Your eqn (iv) looks ok, but the use of x and y there (standard) conflicts with your use in earlier equations (non-standard).
Also, the left hand side of (iii) is out by a factor.
 
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Ah, i get it now! The first equation should have had ##a_y## and the second, ##a_x## (i did it by mistake). And the 3rd equation should have been:
$$ T \sin \theta \cdot \frac l2 = \frac{ml^2}{12} \cdot \alpha \qquad \text{...(iii)} $$
Now the answer comes as:
$$ T=\frac{mg}{4 \sin \theta + \cos \theta \cot \theta}=\frac{15mg}{52} $$
Is it correct now?

Thanks again for your help!
 
I get the same.
 
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