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

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the tension in a string supporting a rod when the opposite string is cut. The user initially derived three equations based on translational and rotational dynamics but questioned the validity of a fourth equation regarding acceleration. After receiving feedback, they corrected their equations, particularly adjusting the torque equation and the roles of acceleration components. The revised tension formula yielded a new result, which was confirmed by another participant as correct. The thread concludes with validation of the final tension calculation.
FreezingFire
Messages
12
Reaction score
1

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!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 
  • Like
Likes FreezingFire
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.
 
  • Like
Likes FreezingFire
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top