Sphere striking an incline (not asking for solutions....)

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    Incline Sphere
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a sphere released from a height H above an inclined plane, focusing on the dynamics of the sphere during its impact with the plane. The problem involves concepts from mechanics, specifically the behavior of the sphere in relation to the coefficients of restitution and friction during the impact event.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore whether the sphere can roll without slipping during the impact, questioning the implications of the coefficient of restitution and the nature of the frictional forces at play. There is a discussion on the balance of linear and angular momentum and the conditions that would lead to slipping versus rolling.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants expressing differing views on the necessity of slipping during impact. Some participants suggest that impulsive friction could allow for rolling, while others emphasize the constraints imposed by the sphere's velocity and the conditions of impact.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the assumptions regarding the sphere's motion, particularly the implications of assuming no-slip conditions during the impact, which some participants argue may not hold true given the sphere's dynamics.

PhMichael
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The sphere is released at a height H above a fixed inclined plane, as shown in the attached figure.
The coefficient of restitution at impact is e>0 (that is the sphere leaves the surface just after impact), the coefficient of friction between the sphere and the plane is \mu.

I need a clarification to what happens during impact.

Is it even possible for the sphere to roll without slipping during the very short time interval of impact with the inclined plane?

I would assume that since the velocity component in the tangent direction \boldsymbol{t} of the impact point on the sphere (B) just before impact is nonzero, specifically it equals \sqrt{2gH} \sin(\alpha), the sphere would necessarily slip on the inclined plane with the impulsive friction force pointing in the negative \boldsymbol{t} direction and having the magnitude |\hat{f}| = \mu |\hat{N}| (a superposed hat denotes an impulse).

Using the balance equations of linear and angular impulse-momentum together with the definition of the coefficient of restitution, it is possible to obtain the velocity of the center of mass of the sphere and its angular velocity. However, if a no-slip condition during impact is imposed, then there is another constraint on the velocity of the impact point (B) on the sphere, which, in my opinion, is not a possible scenario. Am I right?
 

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Not sure why you think it must slip. As you say, there is impulsive friction acting up the plane. Just do the impulse balance, as you would a force balance in statics.
 
haruspex said:
Not sure why you think it must slip. As you say, there is impulsive friction acting up the plane. Just do the impulse balance, as you would a force balance in statics.

I obviously did that.
If I assume that the ball does not slip during impact then this means that its normal velocity vanishes, which is not true because it leaves the surface.
Am I getting something wrong here?
 
PhMichael said:
I obviously did that.
If I assume that the ball does not slip during impact then this means that its normal velocity vanishes, which is not true because it leaves the surface.
Am I getting something wrong here?
There is impulsive torque. It "instantly" gains rotation.
 

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