Trying to find the angular speed of a rod.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angular speed of a uniform rod (length = 2.0m) rotating about a horizontal axis located 0.5m from one end. The moment of inertia is determined using the parallel axis theorem, yielding a value of 0.5833 kg·m². The correct approach involves equating potential energy (mgh) to kinetic energy ((1/2)Iω²), leading to an angular speed (ω) of approximately 4.1 rad/s when the rod reaches its lowest position. The confusion regarding height (h) is clarified, confirming that the center of mass descends 0.5m.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational dynamics, including torque (τ), moment of inertia (I), and angular acceleration (α).
  • Familiarity with the parallel axis theorem for calculating moment of inertia.
  • Knowledge of energy conservation principles, particularly potential and kinetic energy.
  • Basic grasp of angular motion equations, including the relationship between angular speed (ω) and moment of inertia (I).
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  • Study the application of the parallel axis theorem in various rotational dynamics problems.
  • Learn about energy conservation in rotational motion, specifically how to derive angular speed from potential energy.
  • Explore different methods for calculating moment of inertia for various shapes and configurations.
  • Investigate the effects of different pivot points on the angular speed of rotating bodies.
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Homework Statement


A uniform rod (length = 2.0m) is mounted to rotate freely about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the rod and that passes through the rod at a point of 0.5m from one end of the rod. If the rod is released from rest in a horizontal position, what is the angular speed of the rod as it rotates through its lowest position?


Homework Equations


I believe (although I might be wrong on some of them):
\tau = I \alpha
K = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^{2}
L_{z} = I \omega
For a rod the moment of inertia is:
\frac{1}{12} M L^{2}
And the parallel axis thereom:
I = I_{cm} + M D^{2}

The Attempt at a Solution


So far I have used the parallel axis theorem and the moment of inertia for a rod to get the moment of inertia to be 0.5833 for this rods rotation.
I am not sure exactly what to do after that. I can figure it out if it is the moment right after release, but not sure how to do it when the rod is at the bottom.
 
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I first started thinking I could take the potential energy the system has before release as (mgh) and then at the bottom i could take mgh = (1/2)I*w^2 and find omega... But I couldn't figure out how to use it right...
 
That's the right method. Just need to figure out h and I. Any ideas?
 
I believe I have found I for the entire rod. The issue is with the height I think. I want to say the height is 1.5 but what about the 0.5 end? I try using m = 1, g = 9.8 and h = 1.5.

1.5*9.8 = 14.7
14.7 = (1/2)(0.5833333)(w^2)
29.4 = 0.5833(w^2)
50.4 = w^2
w = 7.099

But the answer is supposedly 4.1...
I then tried subtracting the small 0.5 stub:
0.5*9.8*1 (mgh)
4.9 = (1/2)(0.5833)(w^2)
9.8 = (0.5833)w^2
16.8 = w^2
w = 4.099

Subtracting the two gives 3.00 which is not right either though.
 
I was found using doing the following:

I = I_cm + m*d^2

I = (1/12)m*L^2 + m*d^2

d = 0.5 since there is a 0.5 shift from the center.

I = (1/12)*1*4 + 1*(0.5^2)

I = (0.5833333)
 
Actually never mind I should use h = 2 not 1.5 for the first part of my original attempt and then everything else should be the same.

1.5*9.8 = 14.7
14.7 = (1/2)(0.5833333)(w^2)
29.4 = 0.5833(w^2)
50.4 = w^2
w = 8.199

0.5*9.8*1 (mgh)
4.9 = (1/2)(0.5833)(w^2)
9.8 = (0.5833)w^2
16.8 = w^2
w = 4.099

8.199 - 4.099

Thanks!

Although I am still not sure why I should use 2...
 
No, 0.5m is right for h (it's the distance the CoM descends).
You should have
mgh = (1/2)m(L2/12+h22
4.9*2 = (1/3+1/4)ω2
ω ≈ 4.1
Are you saying the given answer is 8.2?
 
Oh, my bad. Haha the given answer was 4.1, for some reason I didn't even realize using h = 0.5 gives the answer approx. 4.1. My bad thanks again!
 

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