Rolling without slipping taking the contact point as pivot

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the dynamics of a disk rolling without slipping, specifically examining the implications of choosing different pivot points (the center of mass versus the contact point with the ground) and the effects of slipping on the motion of the disk. Participants explore the conditions under which the disk rolls and the role of friction in this scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario with a disk having an initial velocity and angular velocity, questioning the consistency of angular acceleration when using different pivot points.
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding the direction of angular velocity when the disk is moving to the right, suggesting a misunderstanding of the motion.
  • A later reply acknowledges that the disk is actually slipping, which contradicts the initial framing of the problem as one of rolling without slipping.
  • Another participant argues that if the disk is slipping, the equations should only account for the motion of the center of mass, leading to a deceleration without rotation.
  • One participant notes that the contact point cannot be used as a pivot point if the disk is sliding, as it complicates the application of the parallel axis theorem.
  • It is mentioned that considering the contact point as a pivot introduces fictitious forces due to the accelerating frame of reference, complicating the analysis further.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the motion (rolling versus slipping) and the implications of choosing different pivot points. There is no consensus on the correct approach or interpretation of the dynamics involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity introduced by slipping, which affects the applicability of certain equations and methods, such as the parallel axis theorem. There is also uncertainty regarding the relationship between angular acceleration and the choice of pivot point.

Soren4
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I'm confused about this rolling without (or better with) slipping situation. Suppose to have a disk with initial velocity ##v## and angular velocity ##\omega##. The motion is to the right but the angular velocity is counterclockwise.
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There are no forces acting on the disk besides the kinetic friction##\mathbf{f}##.

Things are ok if I take as pivot point the center of mass.
$$\{\begin{matrix} - \mathbf{f} = m\mathbf{a_{CM}}\\ - \mathbf{r} \times \mathbf{f} =I_{cm} \mathbf{\alpha} \end{matrix}\tag{1}$$

But if I take the point ##O## on the ground, then the kinetic friction has zero torque.

$$\{\begin{matrix} - \mathbf{f} = m\mathbf{a_{CM}}\\ 0 =I_{O} \mathbf{\alpha} \end{matrix}\tag{2}$$

I assumed that the angular velocity (and so $\alpha$) is the same it I take as pivot the center of mass or the point##O##.

If this is the case than parallel axis theorem can be used and $$I_O=I_{cm}+m \mathbf{r}^2$$But there is a contradiction since I get ##\alpha=0## from ##(2)## and ##\alpha\neq0## from##(1)##.

How can that be? Maybe##\alpha## is not the same in the two cases?
 
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Soren4 said:
I'm confused about this rolling without slipping situation. Suppose to have a disk with initial velocity vvv and angular velocity ωω\omega. The motion is to the right but the angular velocity is counterclockwise.

i fail to see a counter clockwise angular velocity when the disk is moving to the right side.
 
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drvrm said:
i fail to see a counter clockwise angular velocity when the disk is moving to the right side.
I'm sorry the disk is actually slipping, I called this rolling without slippping problem, because usually in these problems you have to find the conditions for rolling without slipping indeed.

Just ignore it, the disk is slipping, of course
 
Soren4 said:
I'm sorry the disk is actually slipping, I called this rolling without slippping problem, because usually in these problems you have to find the conditions for rolling without slipping indeed.

Just ignore it, the disk is slipping, of course

if the disk is slipping only ,then there is no rolling motion;

then the equations for the motion of center of mass only and
the frictional force will be slowly decelerating the motion - no rotation of the disk.

if you consider both rolling and slipping combined then only the torque due to friction will operate about an axis passing through center of mass,
 
If the disk is sliding, O is not a pivot point, and could not be used as a basis for parallel axis method. The bottom point on the disk would be a pivot point, but it's sliding and decelerating.

You could consider the contact point of the sliding disk as a pivot point, but it's an accelerating (decelerating) frame of reference, so there would be a fictitious force effectively applied to the center of mass of the disk, related to the acceleration (deceleration) of the disk.
 
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