Torsional oscillator with angular displacement

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A torsional oscillator with a rotational inertia of 2.1 kg·m² and a torsional constant of 3.4 N·m/rad has a total energy of 5.4 J. To find the maximum angular displacement, the potential energy at that point equals the total energy, leading to the equation τc * θmax = E. The maximum angular speed occurs when the potential energy is zero and the kinetic energy equals the total energy, expressed as Ekin = 0.5 * I * ω². Solving these equations will yield the values for maximum angular displacement and maximum angular speed.
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1. A torsional oscillator of rotational inertia 2.1 kg·m2 and torsional constant 3.4 N·m/rad has a total energy of 5.4 J.
What is its maximum angular displacement?
What is its maximum angular speed?




Homework Equations


θ(t)=Acosωt



The Attempt at a Solution


still trying to think on how to use the energy given, I can't relate kinetic energy...
 
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I'm not sure if i completely understand the question, so please feel free to correct me.

Now, consider a torsional oscillator: f.ex. a mass at the end of a wire: The mass has the angular inertia, I, and the wire it's torsional constant, \tau_{c}, with values as specified. Assuming the total energy is conserved (no friction or outside forces), the total energy will be the sum of: (I) the potential energy, E_{pot}, corresponding to the work needed to rotate the mass to some angular displacement. (II) the kinetic energy, E_{kin}, due to the mass' velocity and angular inertia.

If you study the units of the torsional constant, \tau_{c}, you see that [N*m / rad] = [J / rad], applying that work is given from force times distance (Newton meters). Hence, if the energy you submitted is the total energy, E, then the maximum angular displacement, \theta_{max}, will be when,
<br /> E_{kin}=0 \\<br /> E_{pot}= E = 5.4 J<br />

corresponding to the potential energy stored in the wire by 'twinning it up',
<br /> \tau_{c} \cdot \theta_{max} = E_{pot}<br />

As you'll easily calculate yourself, inserting correct values and solving for \theta_{max}.


The maximum angular velocity, \omega, will then be at the point of rotation where,
<br /> E_{pot}=0 \\<br /> E_{kin}= E = 5.4 J \\<br /> <br /> E_{kin} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot I \cdot \omega ^2<br />

Also there are all necessary values given: just solve for \omega. That should be it. Good Luck!
 
Last edited:
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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