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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the dynamics of a rod tied to a string at an angle, specifically focusing on the tension in the string when the other string is cut. The context includes concepts from rotational dynamics and Newton's laws of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equations of motion for the center of mass and the rotational dynamics of the rod. There is a focus on verifying the correctness of the equations used, particularly the fourth equation regarding acceleration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered feedback on the equations, noting potential conflicts in variable usage and suggesting corrections. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of these corrections on the final expression for tension.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the implications of their assumptions and the setup of the problem, particularly regarding the relationships between linear and angular accelerations.

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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