Time period of a block hanging from a pulley

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a pulley block system in equilibrium, where the original poster seeks to determine the time period of oscillation after slightly displacing a block and releasing it. The context involves concepts of forces, torque, and oscillatory motion, with specific references to moment of inertia, spring constant, and mass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply conservation of energy and balance of forces to derive equations related to the system's motion. They question the correctness of their equations and the role of forces acting on the block, particularly the spring force.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the forces acting on the block, particularly the presence or absence of the spring force. There is a focus on understanding the equilibrium conditions and the implications of a massless string. Guidance has been provided regarding the correctness of the free-body diagram and the assumptions made during the analysis.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of equilibrium conditions and the assumptions regarding the mass of the string and the forces involved in the system. The original poster has indicated they will continue solving the problem independently.

randomgamernerd
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Homework Statement

:[/B] The figure shows a pulley block system in equilibrium. If the block is displaced down slightly from its position and released, find the time period of the oscillation. Assume friction is sufficient.
I: moment of inertia of pulley
k: spring constant
R: Radius of pulley
m: mass of hanging block

Homework Equations

: [/B]F=kx(for spring force)
T=2π√(x/a)

The Attempt at a Solution

:[/B]
I have done the sum using concervation of energy and the answer matched. But when I tried it by balancing torque and force, I'm unable to get the answer.
My Attempt:

Initially, when the system was at equilibrium,
T=mg
⇒kx = mg
x=mg/k
(x is the stretch produced in the spring when the system is at equilibrium)
After we disturb the equilibrium,
Let us suppose at any instant(when the spring is restoring its position) the additional stretch is x' (I used additional as already the spring was stretched by an amount x)
So by equating forces on the block, we get:
ma = Fs + T - mg
(a= acceleration of block at the instant)
From equating torque on the pulley we get
FsR - TR = Iα
α is the angular acceleration of the puley.
and
α= a/R.
I just want to know if my equations are correct.
I will solve the rest on my own.
image.jpg

image.jpg

I have also attached the FBD sketched by me.
 
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Your free-body diagram for the block is incorrect. Reconsider how many forces act on the block.
 
TSny said:
Your free-body diagram for the block is incorrect. Reconsider how many forces act on the block.
Okay, So the spring force is not acting..right?
 
randomgamernerd said:
Okay, So the spring force is not acting..right?
That's right, the spring force does not act on the block.
 
TSny said:
That's right, the spring force does not act on the block.
okay, one more question, initially I equated T= mg and then T= kx.
I could do that because the system was in equilibrium and the string is massless, right?
 
randomgamernerd said:
okay, one more question, initially I equated T= mg and then T= kx.
I could do that because the system was in equilibrium and the string is massless, right?
Yes
 
TSny said:
Yes
ok, thanks for helping me again
 

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