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

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the dynamics of a sphere impacting an inclined plane, specifically addressing the conditions under which the sphere can roll without slipping. The coefficient of restitution (e) is greater than zero, indicating that the sphere leaves the surface after impact. The participant argues that the sphere must slip due to its non-zero tangential velocity component just before impact, calculated as √(2gH) sin(α). The conversation highlights the complexities of applying impulse-momentum principles and the implications of imposing a no-slip condition during the impact.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of impulse-momentum principles
  • Familiarity with the coefficient of restitution in collisions
  • Knowledge of friction dynamics, specifically static and kinetic friction
  • Basic concepts of rotational motion and torque
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the effects of the coefficient of restitution on collision outcomes
  • Explore the relationship between linear and angular momentum during impacts
  • Investigate the conditions for rolling without slipping in rigid body dynamics
  • Examine case studies involving inclined planes and spheres in physics
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Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of collisions and motion on inclined surfaces will benefit from this discussion.

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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