Thin rod standing upright tips over

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a uniform thin rod of mass m and length l that tips over from an upright position after being given a small kick. The objective is to determine the angular velocity of the rod when it makes contact with the table, utilizing principles of energy conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of energy, with attempts to equate initial potential energy to final kinetic energy. There are questions regarding the correct treatment of the rod's mass distribution and the moment of inertia.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the correct approach to calculating kinetic energy and the moment of inertia, noting the importance of considering the rod's fixed axis of rotation. Multiple interpretations of the energy conservation principles are being explored, but no consensus has been reached regarding the correct solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of the rod's mass distribution and the fixed pivot point at the bottom end, which affects the calculations of kinetic energy and moment of inertia.

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Homework Statement



A uniform thin rod of mass m and length l is standing upright on a table, then given a tiny kick so it tips over. The lower end is fixed. Find angular velocity when it hits the table.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



So I applied conservation of energy.
Ei=Ef (1)
Ei=mgl/2
Ef=1/2mvcm2 +1/2Iω2
where vcm is the linear velocity of the CM and ω is the angular velocity of the rod when it hits the floor. vcm=ωl/2
For a thin rod that rotates about one end
I=ml2/3
So substituting in equation (1) i get
mgl/2=1/2(ωl/2)2 + 1/6m(lω)2
which leads to
ω2=12/7g/l

But i 've checked the answer and it turns out is ω2=3g/l

where am i wrong?
thanks in advance for your help
 
Last edited:
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It is not a single point of mass at the centre.
It is made up of infinite "dm" at different height from the table.
 
The kinetic energy of a rigid body rotating around a fixed axis is simply 0.5 Iω2, where I is the moment of inertia with respect to the axis.

You can also calculate the KE of a rigid body moving in plane as the KE of the CM + energy of rotation around the CM. In this case, you have to use the moment of inertia with respect to the CM.

You mixed the two methods. As the bottom end of the rod is fixed you can consider it a fixed axis.

ehild
 
azizlwl said:
It is not a single point of mass at the centre.
It is made up of infinite "dm" at different height from the table.

Ok, but basically what i do is saying that the energy at the beginning Ei is potential energy due to gravity. Then when the rod hits the table potential energy equals zero, so i only have kinetic energy which is a sum of translational and rotational energy. which is the translation of the center of mass plus the rotational energy of the body.
 
ehild said:
The kinetic energy of a rigid body rotating around a fixed axis is simply 0.5 Iω2, where I is the moment of inertia with respect to the axis.

You can also calculate the KE of a rigid body moving in plane as the KE of the CM + energy of rotation around the CM. In this case, you have to use the moment of inertia with respect to the CM.

You mixed the two methods. As the bottom end of the rod is fixed you can consider it a fixed axis.

ehild

Ok, now i get it. Thank you very much!
 

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