Rotational Mechanics Problem (Rotating solid wooden disk)

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a rotational mechanics problem involving a solid wooden disk with a mass of 7.70 kg and a radius of 0.219 m. The disk reaches an angular velocity of 3.69 rad/s in 15.1 seconds, and the new angular velocity after placing a 0.17 kg metal block on it is calculated to be 3.62 rad/s. The user successfully computes the average angular acceleration, angular momentum, and rotational kinetic energy, while initially struggling with the calculations for frictional force and the coefficient of static friction, which were later resolved using the correct formulas.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of angular acceleration and its calculation using the formula a = Δω/Δt
  • Knowledge of moment of inertia for a disk, I(Disk) = MR²/2
  • Familiarity with angular momentum, L = Iω
  • Concept of rotational kinetic energy, Krot = 1/2 Iω²
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the moment of inertia for different shapes.
  • Learn about centripetal acceleration and its role in circular motion.
  • Explore the relationship between frictional force and static friction coefficient in rotational systems.
  • Investigate advanced topics in rotational dynamics, including torque and angular impulse.
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on rotational mechanics, as well as educators and tutors looking for practical examples of angular motion and friction in circular systems.

savva
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I have the working for part d) but I don't understand certain parts, so my problems lie with part d), f) and g)

Homework Statement


3. A solid wooden disk is suspended as shown: it has mass 7.70 kg and radius
0.219 m . It is rotated from rest about its vertical axis, reaching an angular velocity of 3.69 rad/s in 15.1 s.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2u9mgzs.jpg

Calculate
(a) the average angular acceleration
(b) the angular momentum.
(c) the rotational kinetic energy

A 0.17 kg metal block is gently placed on the disk 0.140 m from the rotational axis.
(d) Show that the new angular velocity is 3.62 rad/s
(e) Calculate the new rotational kinetic energy.

The wooden cylinder is very slowly accelerated, and when the new angular velocity is 4.02 rad/s the block is just about to slide.

Calculate
(f) the frictional force on the block.
(g) the coefficient of static friction μs between the block and the disk.

Homework Equations


a = \Delta\omega/\Deltat
I(Disk) = MR^2/2
L=I\omega
Krot = 1/2I\omega^2
W2 = I/I2 x \omega

The Attempt at a Solution



(a) a = \Delta\omega/\Deltat = 3.69/15.1 = 0.244 rad/s^2

(b)
I(Disk) = MR^2/2 = (7.70x0.219^2)/2 = 0.185 kg m^2
L=I\omega = 0.185x3.69 = 0.681 kg m^2 s^-1

(c) Krot = 1/2I\omega^2 = 1/2(0.185)(3.69)^2 = 1.257J

(d)
I know L1 = L2, can we prove that this is the case if we didn't have given the value of angular velocity?
\tauNET = 0 (Not sure how I can prove this)

I2 = I1 + MR^2 (Inertia of block)
I2 = 0.185 + 0.17(0.14)^2 = 0.188 kg m^2

\omega2 = (I1/I2)x\omega = (0.185/0.188)x3.69 = 3.62 rad/s

(e)
Krot = 1/2I\omega^2 = 1/2(0.188)(3.62)^2 = 1.23J

(f) & (g) no idea how to work out, can anyone please give me a hand?
 
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Although the wooden disk is rotating, the block's motion is circular, that means there must be a force (centripetal force) that keeps it going in circles. In this particular example, it's the friction.

Fμ = v2 / R
 
Last edited:
I tried using the formula given a few different ways, but can't seem to get the correct answer:

so, Fμ = v^2 / R

using v=ωr = 4.02x0.14 = 0.5628 ms^-1

We have R = 0.14m from previous part

Subbing that in we get

Fμ = (0.5628)^2/0.14 = 2.26N

The answer for this part is 0.385N

Why am I not getting this answer? :frown:
 
savva said:
I tried using the formula given a few different ways, but can't seem to get the correct answer:

so, Fμ = v^2 / R

using v=ωr = 4.02x0.14 = 0.5628 ms^-1

We have R = 0.14m from previous part

Subbing that in we get

Fμ = (0.5628)^2/0.14 = 2.26N

The answer for this part is 0.385N

Why am I not getting this answer? :frown:

Sorry my fault..

It's fμ = m v2/r

I forgot to mention the mass. :-p Newton's law is F = ma after all, and the acceleration in this one is the centripetal acceleration that keeps the block moving in circles a = v^2/rNow that you know the friction, you should be able to calculate the coefficient of fiction
 
Yep, I got both answers correct now. I'll post up my working tomorrow. Thanks a lot for your help!
 

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