Rigid body rotation about a moving axis

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of rolling motion without friction, specifically focusing on kinetic energy in both linear and rotational forms. Participants explore a scenario involving a sphere rolling up a frictionless inclined plane and the implications of the absence of friction on the motion and energy of the sphere.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the professor's assertion that the rotational kinetic energy is not zero when the inclined plane is frictionless.
  • Another participant suggests that the initial conditions determine the rotational kinetic energy, implying that it remains non-zero despite the lack of friction.
  • It is noted that linear kinetic energy is affected by gravitational forces, which convert it into potential energy as the sphere moves up the incline.
  • Clarification is provided regarding the nature of rolling motion, stating that the point of contact is instantaneously at rest when rolling without sliding, and that static friction is involved until sliding occurs.
  • Concerns are raised about whether the object would slide without friction, leading to a discussion about the implications for angular momentum and torque.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit some agreement on the mechanics of rolling motion and the role of static friction, but there remains uncertainty regarding the implications of a frictionless incline on the kinetic energies involved. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the professor's example.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of rolling motion and the conditions under which kinetic energies are considered, indicating that assumptions about friction and motion may influence the outcomes discussed.

Stevo6754
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Note this is physics I

This should be the right section as this is not homework..

Ok I'm having trouble understanding the concepts of rolling without friction, kinetic energy linear and kinetic energy rotational. I have a hard time following my professor in class and usually like to go over the notes we took but I've come to a example he did that I cannot understand. I uploaded pictures of my notes to make is easier on me and you.

As you can see its pretty much a sphere rolling up a friction incline plane, had to find the distance it rolled up the plane. That was no problem, calculations for that are on the right side of the page. Did U initial = zero and K final = 0; solved with no problem.

Now on the bottom left part of the page he asks what if the inclined plane was frictionless?
I don't understand where he got that KE rotation for KE final was not zero. He also states that if there is no kinetic friction force, each point of contact does not slide.

In the example where he takes away the friction on the incline. For his total change of KE he now leaves k final but only the k rotational part and not the k linear part. Why is this, I am very confused. Also if there is no friction wouldn't the object be sliding?

Thanks in advance
 

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First part.
I think the professor assumes that the inclined plane has no friction, so the rotational motion will never be changed. Initial condition determines the rotational KE, so final KE rotation is not zero.

The second part.
It can be seen the linear KE is related with the motion of the center of mass. The linear KE is changed due to the gravitational force which transform it into potential energy.

Hope my answer is conceivable. My first time here to answer questions and I am happy about it. :)
 
Stevo6754 said:
Note this is physics I

This should be the right section as this is not homework..

Ok I'm having trouble understanding the concepts of rolling without friction, kinetic energy linear and kinetic energy rotational. I have a hard time following my professor in class and usually like to go over the notes we took but I've come to a example he did that I cannot understand. I uploaded pictures of my notes to make is easier on me and you.

As you can see its pretty much a sphere rolling up a friction incline plane, had to find the distance it rolled up the plane. That was no problem, calculations for that are on the right side of the page. Did U initial = zero and K final = 0; solved with no problem.

Now on the bottom left part of the page he asks what if the inclined plane was frictionless?
I don't understand where he got that KE rotation for KE final was not zero. He also states that if there is no kinetic friction force, each point of contact does not slide.
One of the confusing things about rolling motion is that the point of contact is instantaneously at rest. So when the sphere is rolling w/o sliding (and changing velocity) the frictional force acting on the sphere is static friction. Only if the point of contact slides then the (smaller) kinetic (or dynamic) friction replaces static friction.
In absence of friction there is no way of changing the angular momentum of the sphere so it keeps rolling as it goes up the incline. The only force slowing down the sphere is the component of gravity parallel to the incline, it exerts no torque so it can only slow down the velocity of the center of mass but not rotation around it.
In the example where he takes away the friction on the incline. For his total change of KE he now leaves k final but only the k rotational part and not the k linear part. Why is this, I am very confused. Also if there is no friction wouldn't the object be sliding?

Thanks in advance
Yes the object will slide, meaning that the point of contact will not be at rest.

Please ask more if this or more is unclear
 
dgOnPhys said:
One of the confusing things about rolling motion is that the point of contact is instantaneously at rest. So when the sphere is rolling w/o sliding (and changing velocity) the frictional force acting on the sphere is static friction. Only if the point of contact slides then the (smaller) kinetic (or dynamic) friction replaces static friction.
In absence of friction there is no way of changing the angular momentum of the sphere so it keeps rolling as it goes up the incline. The only force slowing down the sphere is the component of gravity parallel to the incline, it exerts no torque so it can only slow down the velocity of the center of mass but not rotation around it.

Yes the object will slide, meaning that the point of contact will not be at rest.

Please ask more if this or more is unclear

ah ok so that's where the KE rotation came from, thank you both for clearing this up.
 

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