Rotating Cone and instantaneous axis of rotation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a mechanics problem involving a cone rolling without slipping on a plane. The original poster is attempting to understand the concept of the instantaneous axis of rotation and how it relates to the angular velocity vector of the cone.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster describes their approach to finding the angular velocity vector, noting two contributions to angular velocity and attempting to decompose them into components. They express confusion regarding the solution, which states that the angular velocity has only an x-component.
  • Some participants question the role of the line of contact as the instantaneous axis of rotation and its implications for the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the relationship between the cone's motion and the instantaneous axis of rotation. There is an acknowledgment of the line of contact being stationary, which is contributing to the understanding of the problem. However, there is no explicit consensus on the interpretation of the angular velocity components.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates a lack of understanding of the instantaneous axis of rotation, which is central to the problem. The discussion includes references to specific variables and equations related to angular velocity, but no complete solutions are provided.

RicardoMP
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Homework Statement


Hi! I'm trying to solve a simple problem of mechanics, but I'm getting the wrong results and I suppose I don't yet grasp the concept of instantaneous axis of rotation very well.
So, a cone (see attached picture) is rolling without slipping on a plane. Vp is point P linear velocity on the laboratory frame with its origin on the cone's apex. I must choose "z" as the vertical axis and, instantaneously, "x" along the line of contact.
I have to find the instantaneous angular velocity vector \omega.

Homework Equations


\omega = \Omega + \omega _s
\Omega = \frac{v_p}{hcos(\alpha)}
\omega _s = \frac{v_p}{R}

The Attempt at a Solution


My first thought was that there are 2 contributions for the angular velocity: \Omega pointing upwards and relates to the rotation of the cone around the vertical axis going through the origin and \omega _s which is the spin angular velocity of the cone. I simply decomposed the spin ang.vel in its x and z components and got
\omega = (\omega_s cos(\alpha))e_x+(\omega_s sin(\alpha) + \Omega)e_z
And I thought that was it.
The solution states that the angular velocity only has component along x: \omega = (\omega,0,0) and I'm failing to see how. Is the line of contact an instantaneous axis of rotation? And what does that mean for this problem?

Thank you in advance
 

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RicardoMP said:

Homework Statement


Hi! I'm trying to solve a simple problem of mechanics, but I'm getting the wrong results and I suppose I don't yet grasp the concept of instantaneous axis of rotation very well.
So, a cone (see attached picture) is rolling without slipping on a plane. Vp is point P linear velocity on the laboratory frame with its origin on the cone's apex. I must choose "z" as the vertical axis and, instantaneously, "x" along the line of contact.
I have to find the instantaneous angular velocity vector \omega.

Homework Equations


\omega = \Omega + \omega _s
##\Omega = \frac{v_p}{hcos(\alpha)}##
##\omega _s = \frac{v_p}{R}##

The Attempt at a Solution


My first thought was that there are 2 contributions for the angular velocity: \Omega pointing upwards and relates to the rotation of the cone around the vertical axis going through the origin and \omega _s which is the spin angular velocity of the cone. I simply decomposed the spin ang.vel in its x and z components and got
\omega = (\omega_s cos(\alpha))e_x+(\omega_s sin(\alpha) + \Omega)e_z
And I thought that was it.
The solution states that the angular velocity only has component along ##\ x: \omega = (\omega,0,0)\ ## and I'm failing to see how. Is the line of contact an instantaneous axis of rotation? And what does that mean for this problem?

Thank you in advance
I'm looking for the attached picture.
 
Last edited:
SammyS said:
I'm looking for the attached picture.
I'm so sorry! I completely forgot to attach it!
 
RicardoMP said:
The solution states that the angular velocity only has component along x: \omega = (\omega,0,0) and I'm failing to see how. Is the line of contact an instantaneous axis of rotation?
Yes. That line of the cone is in contact with the plane and is not slipping, therefore it is instantaneously stationary. That makes it the instantaneous axis of rotation.
Concentrate on the point P. You know its velocity, and you know it is rotating about that axis.
 

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