Spinning block with decreasing radius

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a mass that revolves around a center while the radius of its circular path decreases due to a string being pulled. The context is within the realm of rotational dynamics, specifically focusing on angular velocity and radial motion without the influence of gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the radial distance and time, questioning the initial conditions and the implications of the string being pulled. There is discussion about the conservation of angular momentum and its relevance to the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the equations of motion and the relationships between angular velocity and radius. There is ongoing exploration of the correct expressions for radius and angular velocity, with some participants questioning the assumptions made in the initial setup.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the initial radius at time \( t = 0 \) and how it changes as the string is pulled. Participants are also considering the implications of angular momentum conservation in the context of the problem.

Buffu
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Homework Statement



A mass ##m## whirls around on a string which passes through a ring. Given that gravity is not present and initially the mass is at a distance ##r_0## from the center and is revolving at angular velocity ##\omega_0##. The string is pulled with constant velocity ##V## starting ##t = 0## so that radial distance to the mass decreases. Find ##\omega (t)##

upload_2017-5-21_5-28-4.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



There is no tangential forces on the block and the only radial is tension which is not required.

Anyhow, ##r = Vt## since the velocity is constant, ##\dot r = V## and ##\ddot r= 0##.

Pluggin those in,

##\vec a = \hat r(\ddot r - r \dot \theta^2 ) + \hat \theta (r \ddot \theta + 2\dot r \dot \theta)##

##\vec a = -\hat r (Vt \dot\theta^2) + \hat \theta (Vt \ddot \theta + 2V\dot \theta)##

Since there are no tangential forces,

##Vt \ddot \theta + 2 V\dot \theta = 0 \iff t \ddot \theta = - 2\dot \theta##

Since ##\dot \theta = \omega##

##\displaystyle t \dot \omega = -2 \omega \iff {\dot \omega \over \omega} = {-2 \over t} \iff \int^{\omega}_{\omega_0} {d\omega \over \omega} = \int^t_0 {-2 \over t}dt##

Now the second integral has the closed form ##\ln |t|## which is not defined at ##t = 0##,

Where did I go wrong ?
 
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Buffu said:
Anyhow, ##r = Vt## since the velocity is constant,
Does this give the correct value of ##r## at ##t = 0##?
 
TSny said:
Does this give the correct value of ##r## at ##t = 0##?
No. But why should it since after ##t = 0 ## the rope is pulled, no ?
 
Buffu said:

Homework Statement



A mass ##m## whirls around on a string which passes through a ring. Given that gravity is not present and initially the mass is at a distance ##r_0## from the center and is revolving at angular velocity ##\omega_0##. The string is pulled with constant velocity ##V## starting ##t = 0## so that radial distance to the mass decreases. Find ##\omega (t)##

View attachment 203875

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



There is no tangential forces on the block and the only radial is tension which is not required.

Anyhow, ##r = Vt## since the velocity is constant, ##\dot r = V## and ##\ddot r= 0##.

Pluggin those in,

##\vec a = \hat r(\ddot r - r \dot \theta^2 ) + \hat \theta (r \ddot \theta + 2\dot r \dot \theta)##

##\vec a = -\hat r (Vt \dot\theta^2) + \hat \theta (Vt \ddot \theta + 2V\dot \theta)##

Since there are no tangential forces,

##Vt \ddot \theta + 2 V\dot \theta = 0 \iff t \ddot \theta = - 2\dot \theta##

Since ##\dot \theta = \omega##

##\displaystyle t \dot \omega = -2 \omega \iff {\dot \omega \over \omega} = {-2 \over t} \iff \int^{\omega}_{\omega_0} {d\omega \over \omega} = \int^t_0 {-2 \over t}dt##

Now the second integral has the closed form ##\ln |t|## which is not defined at ##t = 0##,

Where did I go wrong ?
The radius decreases, so it is not Vt.
 
Angular momentum about the hole is conserved
 
Last edited:
Buffu said:
No. But why should it since after ##t = 0 ## the rope is pulled, no ?
t=0 is the instant at which the pulling starts. At that time, r should be its initial value still.
 
Ok I did it.

At any instance ##r = r_0 - Vt##

Which gives ##\vec a = -(r_0 - Vt)\hat r + \hat \theta((r_0 - Vt ) \dot \theta + -2V\ddot\theta)##

So, we get ##(r_0 - Vt ) \dot \theta = 2V\ddot\theta##

Substituting for omega,

##\dfrac{\dot \omega}{\omega} = \dfrac{2V}{r_0 - Vt}##

Integrating from ##\omega_0 \to \omega## and LHS and from ##0 \to t## on right,

I get ##\omega = \dfrac{\omega_0 r_0^2}{(r_0 - Vt)^2}##

Is this correct ?

Second part of the question was to find the radial force on the block,

Which I think is ##F_r =m(r_0 - Vt)\omega^2## and I plug from above in this formula,right ?
 
Ok I did it.

At any instance ##r = r_0 - Vt##

Which gives ##\vec a = -(r_0 - Vt)\hat r + \hat \theta((r_0 - Vt ) \dot \theta + -2V\ddot\theta)##

So, we get ##(r_0 - Vt ) \dot \theta = 2V\ddot\theta##

Substituting for omega,

##\dfrac{\dot \omega}{\omega} = \dfrac{2V}{r_0 - Vt}##

Integrating from ##\omega_0 \to \omega## and LHS and from ##0 \to t## on right,

I get ##\omega = \dfrac{\omega_0 r_0^2}{(r_0 - Vt)^2}##

Is this correct ?

Second part of the question was to find the radial force on the block,

Which I think is ##F_r =m(r_0 - Vt)\omega^2## and I plug from above in this formula,right ?
 
Buffu said:
Ok I did it.

At any instance ##r = r_0 - Vt##

Which gives ##\vec a = -(r_0 - Vt)\hat r + \hat \theta((r_0 - Vt ) \dot \theta + -2V\ddot\theta)##

So, we get ##(r_0 - Vt ) \dot \theta = 2V\ddot\theta##

Substituting for omega,

##\dfrac{\dot \omega}{\omega} = \dfrac{2V}{r_0 - Vt}##

Integrating from ##\omega_0 \to \omega## and LHS and from ##0 \to t## on right,

I get ##\omega = \dfrac{\omega_0 r_0^2}{(r_0 - Vt)^2}##

Is this correct ?

Second part of the question was to find the radial force on the block,

Which I think is ##F_r =m(r_0 - Vt)\omega^2## and I plug from above in this formula,right ?
Yes, that all looks right.
 
  • #10
zwierz said:
Angular momentum about the hole is conserved

Will this solve the question without solving a DE ?
 
  • #11
I guess so
 
  • #12
zwierz said:
I guess so

Ok I will try.
 

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