Rotational Energy and Linear Momentum Problem

AI Thread Summary
The problem involves calculating the initial speed required for a solid ball to roll smoothly along a path and land at a specific distance after leaving a plateau. The equations of energy conservation are applied, including translational and rotational kinetic energy, as well as gravitational potential energy. Initial attempts to solve the problem yielded incorrect speeds, prompting a reevaluation of the energy components involved. The moment of inertia for a solid sphere was incorporated to refine the calculations, but confusion arose regarding the inclusion of both translational and rotational kinetic energy. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly accounting for all forms of energy to arrive at the correct solution.
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Homework Statement



In the figure here, a small, solid, uniform ball is to be shot from point P so that it rolls smoothly along a horizontal path, up along a ramp, and onto a plateau. Then it leaves the plateau horizontally to land on a game board, at a horizontal distance d from the right edge of the plateau. The vertical heights are h1 = 4.5 cm and h2 = 1.00 cm. With what speed must the ball be shot at point P for it to land at d = 3.5 cm?

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Homework Equations



E'=E
Translational KE = mv^2/2
Rotational KE = Iω^2/2
y = y0 + v0T + aT^2/2

The Attempt at a Solution



(0.5)mv0^2 = (0.5)mv'^2 + mgh1
Which simplifies to v0 = sqrt(2gh1 + v'^2) (1)

To find v': d = v'T => v' = d/T
To find T: h2 = (0.5)gT^2 => T = sqrt(2h2/2)

So, v' = d/sqrt(2h2/2) which is approximately 0.77 m/s.

Plugging this into (1) v0 = 1.217 m/s.

However, this is not the right answer.

So, I then attempted it again this time taking into account that the moment of inertia of a solid sphere is (2/5)mR^2.

(0.5)(2/5)(mR^2)ω0^2 = (0.5)(2/5)(mR^2)ω'^2 + mgh1

v = rω
(1/5)(mR^2)v0^2/R^2 = (1/5)(mR^2)v'^2/R^2 + mgh1
v0^2 = v'^2 + 5gh1
v0 = sqrt(v'^2 + 5gh1)

Then v' is the same in this attempt as the previous, so v0 = 1.67 m/s.
However, this is also not the right answer.

It appears there is not enough information to take into account energy lost to friction so I'm assuming that's negligible. So, I'm at a loss.
 
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You also have to take into account the linear energy at P.
K_P=\frac{1}{2}mv_i^2 + \frac{1}{2}I\omega_i^2
Also at the top, consider the energies for gravity, movement, and rotation.
mgh_1+\frac{1}{2}mv_2^2+\frac{1}{2}I\omega_2^2
When the ball then falls, It must have a final energy greater than mgh_2 (so it could be rolling along and make it a distance d away, not just survive the fall.) You have already shown that you know I for a sphere to be \frac{2}{5}mr^2, and \omega can be calculated as v/r.
When you put the equations together you will be able to calculate the correct answer.
 
Oh shoot, that's obvious. I don't know why when I remembered to take into account rotational kinetic energy I dropped off translational kinetic energy.

Thank you.
 
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