Time taken to start pure rolling

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the time taken for a solid sphere to transition from sliding to pure rolling on a rough surface. The initial conditions include a linear speed of v0 and an angular speed of ω0 = v0/(2R). The solution involves determining the time intervals for angular velocity to reach zero and then increase to the point of pure rolling, ultimately leading to the conclusion that the total time for pure rolling to commence is t = v0/(3μg). The participants clarify the importance of correctly labeling time intervals and maintaining consistent reference points throughout the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational dynamics, specifically the relationship between linear and angular velocity.
  • Familiarity with Newton's laws of motion and frictional forces.
  • Knowledge of moment of inertia, particularly for solid spheres (I = 2/5 mR²).
  • Basic algebraic manipulation to solve equations involving acceleration and time.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the equations of motion for rolling objects.
  • Learn about the effects of friction on rolling motion and how it differs from sliding motion.
  • Explore the concept of angular acceleration and its relationship with linear acceleration.
  • Investigate the implications of different reference frames on motion analysis.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying classical mechanics, physics educators, and anyone interested in the dynamics of rolling motion and frictional effects on solid bodies.

Titan97
Gold Member
Messages
450
Reaction score
18

Homework Statement


A solid sphere of radius R is set into motion on a rough horizontal surface with a linear speed v0 in forward direction and angular speed ω0##=\frac{v_0}{2R}## in counter clockwise direction. Find time after which pure rolling starts.

Homework Equations


For pure rolling, ##v=\omega R##
##\tau=I\alpha##
##I=\frac{2}{5}mR^2##
##f=\mu N##
(N is normal reaction)

The Attempt at a Solution


Friction acts in backward direction (opposite to velocity) to change the direction of rotation.
First, the angular velocity and linear velocity decreases.
Then the angular velocity becomes zero but the sphere still has a velocity.
Then the angular velocity increases in opposite directions till ##\omega=v/R##

##f=\mu mg##
##\alpha=\frac{5\mu g}{2R}##
##a=\mu g##

Time taken for angular velocity to become zero ##t_0=\frac{v_0}{5\mu g}##
Velocity at ##t_0## is ##v=\frac{4v_0}{5}##
After that, ##\omega## increases from 0 to ##v/R##
##\frac{4v_0}{5R}-\frac{\mu gt}{R}=\frac{5\mu g}{2R}t##
This gives ##t=\frac{8v_0}{35\mu g}## which is incorrect. What is the mistake in my approach?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your work looks good. Did you combine the two times to get the total time?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Titan97
You don't state what ##t_0## is but it appears you are intending it to mark the time when the sphere's angular velocity is zero.

That's likely to cause you problems because the question wants the time since the beginning of the experiment, not from the time of zero angular velocity. I think your final answer measures ##t## as time since ##t_0##, which is not what the question is asking for. I suggest you re-label, calling the beginning of the experiment ##t_0## (which matches the label ##v_0##), the time of zero rotation ##t_1## and the time of commencing rolling ##t_2##. The question asks for ##t_2-t_0##.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Titan97
I got the correct answer now @TSny
@andrewkirk , the equation came from ##\frac{v}{R}=\omega##.
##v=v'-\mu gt##, ##\omega=\alpha t=\frac{5\mu g}{2R}t##
##t## is measured since ##t_0##. I forgot about that.
I could have avoided finding ##t_0## and used two equations ##v=v_0-\mu gt##, ##\omega=-\omega_0+\alpha t##.
 
Titan97 said:
I got the correct answer now @TSny
OK, good.
You don't need to break the problem up into two parts. The linear and angular accelerations are constant during the whole time. So, you can set up the equations to take you all the way from initial conditions to the final time.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Titan97
It's interesting to note that the question assumes, with no justification, that the reader will interpret 'forward direction' to mean 'from left to right'. That assumption turned out to be accurate in this case, with the three people that looked at the problem all assuming it meant from left to right.

I wonder though, whether in a country where writing goes from right to left - such as in Arabic, Urdu or Farsi - it would typically be interpreted as meaning the sphere was moving from right to left, in which case the answer would be a much shorter time.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Titan97
A picture is given. But its small.
 
t = v0/3μg
after this time, ball will start pure rolling
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
1K
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 97 ·
4
Replies
97
Views
6K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
Replies
335
Views
16K
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K