Rotating rod, inertia and torque

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving a rotating rod with a ball at one end, requiring calculations for rotational inertia and torque. The rotational inertia was correctly calculated as 0.95625 kgm² using the formula I=mr². However, there was confusion regarding the angular acceleration; the speed of 5030 rev/min was mistakenly converted to angular acceleration instead of angular velocity. The torque needed to counteract air drag was miscalculated due to this misunderstanding, as the angular acceleration (α) is zero when maintaining constant speed. Clarifications were provided, emphasizing the need to convert rev/min to rad/s and recognizing that torque due to air drag must be calculated without incorporating angular acceleration.
jl9999
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Homework Statement


A small ball with mass 1.70 kg is mounted on one end of a rod 0.750 m long and of negligible mass. The system rotates in a horizontal circle about the other end of the rod at 5030 rev/min.

(a) Calculate the rotational inertia of the system about the axis of rotation.
(b) There is an air drag of 2.20 10-2 N on the ball, directed opposite its motion. What torque must be applied to the system to keep it rotating at constant speed?



Homework Equations


I=mr^2
T=FR
T=Ialpha



The Attempt at a Solution



So I got (a) which is simply I=mr^2, or I=(1.70)(.750)^2, I=.95625 kgm^2

I thought I had (b) but I was wrong. First I broke down the 5,030 rev/min to an angular acceleration which came out to 526 rad/s^2. Then I plugged that, along with the I into T=Ialpha which came out to, T=(.9562)(526), T=502.9Nm. I then added in the calculated torque from the air drag which was T=(.022)(.75), =.0165Nm to come out with a torque of 503Nm, which was wrong. I have absolutely no idea what detail(s) I'm missing because I was sure I had this one. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.
 
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hi jl9999! :smile:

(have an alpha: α and an omega: ω and a tau: τ and try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)
jl9999 said:
I thought I had (b) but I was wrong. First I broke down the 5,030 rev/min to an angular acceleration which came out to 526 rad/s^2. Then I plugged that, along with the I into T=Ialpha …

i'm sorry, but both those are completely wrong :redface:

rev/min is a speed, not an acceleration, it converts to rad/s

and α is zero, so how will τ = Iα help?

try again :smile:
 
...actually (a) was right, according to the webassign(auto-grading homework website) Thanks for pointing out what I missed though. I often misread stuff. hopefully I can get it now.
 
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