# Torque with Variable Force

1. Feb 11, 2017

### Arman777

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A pulley with a rotational inertia of $10^{-3}\frac {kg} {m^2}$ about its axle and a radius of $10 cm$, is acted on by a force applied tangentially at its rim.The force magnitude varies with time as
$F=0.5t+0.3t^2$ , with $F$ in newtons and $t$ in seconds.The pulley is initially at rest At $t=3.0s$ what are its (a) angular acceleration (b) angular speed ?

2. Relevant equations
$τ(t)=F(t)rsinθ$
$w-w_0=∝(t)Δt$
$τ(t)=I∝(t)$

3. The attempt at a solution
The confusing part for me is that F varies with time so from that angular acceleration will vary with time also torque will vary with time.
$τ(t)=F(t)rsinθ$ ,
$sinθ$ is always $1$ so $τ(t)=F(t)r$ is our equation.
And we also know that $τ(t)=I∝(t)$
so
$F(t)r=I∝(t)$ then ,
$∝(t)=\frac {F(t)r} {I}$
$∝(t)=420\frac {rad} {s^2}$

for B I wrote,
$w-w_0=∝(t)Δt$ the object is initally at rest so $w_0=0$ then $w=420\frac {rad} {s^2}.3s$ which its
$w=1260\frac {rad} {s}$

but answer says its $w=500\frac {rad} {s}$
where I am going wrong ?

Thanks

2. Feb 11, 2017

### kuruman

This is where you went wrong. The acceleration is a function of time because the torque is a function of time, you said so yourself. Look at the equation above this one and put in the correct functional form for the force. To find the correct change in angular velocity, you need to do an integral.

3. Feb 11, 2017

### Arman777

$τ=\int_0^3 F(t)r \, dt$ ?

4. Feb 11, 2017

### kuruman

This expression does not give the torque. Your original expression $\tau (t)=F(t) r$ correctly gives the torque at any time t.

Using the expression for the torque can you find the angular acceleration $\alpha (t)$? If you know $\alpha (t)$, what do you have to do to find $\omega (t)$? How are the two related in general not just when the acceleration is constant?

5. Feb 11, 2017

### Arman777

$ω_f-ω_i=\int ∝(t)\, dt$

6. Feb 11, 2017

### kuruman

That's it. Now find the correct α(t).

7. Feb 11, 2017

### Arman777

I found $495\frac {rad} {s}$ answer is $500\frac {rad} {s}$ ? Is it ok ?

8. Feb 11, 2017

### kuruman

How many significant figures do you think you should carry? Look at the significant figures of the numbers that are given to you.

9. Feb 11, 2017

### Arman777

oh I see ok
It will be $4,95.10^{2}\frac {rad} {s}=5.10^{2}\frac {rad} {s}$

10. Feb 11, 2017

Thanks