Rigid body rolling along an inclined plane

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a rigid body (specifically a ring, cylinder, or sphere) rolling down an inclined plane without slipping. The original poster seeks to find the velocity as a function of height, utilizing concepts from conservation of mechanical energy and dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to solve the problem using conservation of mechanical energy, leading to one expression for velocity, but encounters difficulties when applying force analysis. Some participants question the assumption that the force of friction equals the gravitational component along the incline, suggesting a need to derive the friction force instead.

Discussion Status

Participants have engaged in clarifying the role of friction in the problem. The original poster has adjusted their approach based on feedback, indicating a shift towards a more accurate understanding of the forces involved. There is recognition of the need to correctly account for friction to arrive at the correct solution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of correctly applying the equations of motion and the relationship between linear and angular quantities in the context of rolling motion. There are indications of initial misunderstandings regarding the forces acting on the body.

housemartin
Messages
87
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


So rigid body (ring, cylinder, sphere), who's radius of gyration is known, rolls down an inclined plane without slipping. Find velocity as a function of height.
m - mass of the body. y0 - initial height, g - gravitational acceleration, v - speed. I - moment of inertia, K - radius of gyration. T - torque, a - linear acceleration, alfa - angular acceleration, w - angular speed. theta - inclined plane angle with horizontal.

Homework Equations


conservation of mechanical energy:
1/2mv2+1/2Iw2+mgy = mgy0
I = mK2
v = wR -> w = v/R
T = I*alfa

The Attempt at a Solution


using conservation of mechanical energy i get:
1/2mv2+1/2mK2v2/R2+mgy = mgy0
from this velocity is:
v2 = 2g(y0-y)/(1+(K2/R2))
which is correct answer as my textbook says.
However I get in trouble trying do this problem in different way - using forces. As i think, if body rolls without slipping that means that force of friction is equal to the m*g*sin(theta), only friction makes this body roll. All torques about center of mass except that of friction equal to zero, and I get:
T = R*m*g*sin(theta)
I*alfa = R*m*g*sin(theta)
K2alfa = R*g*sin(theta)
and if i use relation a = alfa*R, and multiply both sides of last equation by R, I get:
a = R2/K2*g*sin(theta)
to get velocity as a function of height, i rewrite a = dv/dt = dx/dt*(dv/dx) = v(dv/dx):
vdv = R2/K2*g*sin(theta)dx
if initial speed is zero and initial coordinate along the plane also zero, i get:
v2/2 = R2/K2*g*sin(theta)*x
and sin(theta)*x is just y0 - y
so my final solution is bit different from true one:
v2 = 2g(y0-y)*R2/K2

So, where did I mistake?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
housemartin said:
As i think, if body rolls without slipping that means that force of friction is equal to the m*g*sin(theta), only friction makes this body roll.
If the force of friction equaled the component of gravity parallel to the incline, then the net force would be zero and it wouldn't move down the incline.

You're right that friction is what makes it roll, but you'd need to figure out the friction force. Don't just assume it equals m*g*sin(theta), which it doesn't.
 
so i should have write equation of motion like this:
ma = mg*sin(theta) - F_fric
now from here its really clear that if F_fric = mg*sin(theta) then a = 0.
Then if friction makes body roll, then i can write
torque = R*F_fric
I*alfa = R*F_fric
F_fric = I*alfa/R.
yes, now i get the correct answer. Thank you, I was struggling with this all morning
 
You got it now. :approve:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
6K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
46
Views
7K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K