Troubleshooting Physics Homework: Where Do I Go Wrong?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on troubleshooting physics homework related to the conservation of energy in rotating bodies, specifically a disk and a hoop. The calculations for the angular speed of both objects at their lowest points are presented, revealing errors in the conversion from angular velocity to linear velocity. The moment of inertia for the disk is correctly calculated as 1.5*M*R^2, while for the hoop, it is 2*M*R^2. The key issue identified is the incorrect application of the radius in the conversion process, which affects the final velocity calculations.

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Homework Statement



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The Attempt at a Solution



A) for disk,[/B]

let w is the angular speed of the disk at the lowest point.

moment of Inertia of disk about pivot, P = 0.5*M*R^2 + M*R^2

= 1.5*M*R^2

Apply conservation of energy

initial potentila energy = finalkinetic energym*g*R = (1/2)*I*w^2

m*g*R = (1/2)*1.5*m*R^2*w^2

m*g*R = (1/2)*1.5*m*(R^2*w^2)

g*R = (1/2)*1.5*v_disk^2

2*g*R = 1.5*v_disk^2

v_disk = sqrt(2*g*R)/sqrt(1.5)

= 0.816*sqrt(2*g*R)

= 0.816*v <<<<<<------Answer (wrong! and i don't know why)B) for hoop,

let w is the angular speed of the hoop at the lowest point.

moment of Inertia of hoop about pivot, P = M*R^2 + M*R^2

= 2*M*R^2

Apply conservation of energy

initial potentila energy = finalkinetic energym*g*R = (1/2)*I*w^2

m*g*R = (1/2)*2*m*R^2*w^2

m*g*R = (1/2)*2*m*(R^2*w^2)

g*R = (1/2)*2*v_hoop^2

2*g*R = 2*v_hoop^2

v_hoop = sqrt(2*g*R)/sqrt(2)

= 0.707*sqrt(2*g*R)

= 0.707*v <<<<<<------Answer ( wrong and i don't know why)
 
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In both the disk and the hoop problem, when you convert angular velocity to linear velocity of the lowest point, you use R as the radius. What is the distance from the lowest point to the axis of rotation?
 
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andrewkirk said:
In both the disk and the hoop problem, when you convert angular velocity to linear velocity of the lowest point, you use R as the radius. What is the distance from the lowest point to the axis of rotation?
Thanks!I got it!
 

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