Rotation : When will the rod slide off?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving a uniform rod rotating about an edge after a thread is burnt. Participants are analyzing the conditions under which the rod will begin to slide, specifically calculating the angle θ between the rod and the horizontal at that moment. Key concepts include the conservation of energy, where potential energy loss is equated to kinetic energy, and the forces acting on the rod, including gravitational and frictional forces. The correct angle is derived to be θ = tan^-1(4μ/13), based on the relationship between acceleration and the forces involved. The conversation highlights the complexities of calculating the reaction forces and the conditions for slipping.
AlchemistK
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Homework Statement


one fourth length of a uniform rod of mass "m" and length "l" is placed on a rough horizontal surface and it is held stationary in horizontal position by means of a light thread. The thread is then burnt and the rod starts rotating about the edge. Find the angle between the rod and the horizontal when it is about to slide on the edge. The coefficient of friction between the rod and the surface is "μ"

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I have a few more questions in a similar format, and I can't find the right way to tackle them. Could someone please point me in the right direction?

The answer as given in the book is θ= tan^-1 (4μ/13)
 
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Hi AlchemistK! :smile:

Start by using conservation of energy to find how dθ/dt depends on θ (before it slips). :wink:
 
Ok, after conserving energy, I got:
ω^2 = (24 g sinθ)/(7L)

where θ is the angle made by the rod with the horizontal.

On integrating, there comes a term of sinθ in the denominator and by applying the limits of θ from 0 to some angle θ, infinity comes up.

The loss in PE came out to be m*g*L*sinθ/4
The kinetic energy at any angle θ will be 1/2* I * ω^2
where I is m*(L^2)/48.
 
Last edited:
ok, now do the equation for:

Ftotal = mac.o.m

(sum of the forces on the rod = mass times acceleration of the centre of mass)​
 
In the direction of the rod,
ma = mgsinθ - μmgcosθ
 
no

you need to find the reaction force (call it R) at the table, from the acceleration

then you check to see whether µ is capable of producing R

(when it isn't, that's the answer)​
 
tiny-tim said:
from the acceleration

Do you mean the frictional force on the table due to the rode? (μmgcosθ)

Or the normal reaction due to the component of the weight of the rod? (mgcosθ)
 
are you sure that it's mgcosθ ?

use the previous equation to find the total reaction force R (including its direction)
 
Would that be the vector sum of mgcosθ and μmgcosθ? I can't see any more forces here.
 
  • #10
AlchemistK said:
Would that be the vector sum of mgcosθ and μmgcosθ?

No, it's the difference of ma and mg
 
  • #11
AlchemistK said:
Would that be the vector sum of mgcosθ and μmgcosθ? I can't see any more forces here.
tiny-tim said:
No, it's the difference of ma and mg


Aren't they numerically the same? ma - mg is equal and opposite to mgcosθ + μmgcosθ
 
  • #12
@tiny tim why did we find the relation b/w omega and theta
 
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