Weird second law of Newton for rotation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the proof of Newton's second law for rotation, specifically how torque is calculated using the formula tau = I * ALPHA, where I is the moment of inertia and ALPHA is angular acceleration. A participant questions the validity of not multiplying by the radius (R) in the equation FT = m * ALPHA * R, suggesting that it implies force application location is irrelevant to angular acceleration, which contradicts physical intuition. The conversation highlights the importance of vector notation and the time dependence of R in rotational dynamics. A request for a more detailed proof of torque is made, leading to a suggestion to refer to an external resource for further clarification. The discussion emphasizes the complexities of rotational motion and the necessity of precise mathematical representation.
Mad_Eye
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the proof of second law of Newton for rotation goes like this:
take a sphere rotating around some far axis
FT=maT
FT=m * ALPHA * R
multiple by R

tau = mR2 * ALPHA

and we can say it true for every limit mass in a body.
so

sigma tau = sigma (mR2) * ALPHA
sigma tau = I * ALPHA

internal torque=0
thus, sigma tau = sigma external tau

fine, i get it, i think.


but what if we didn't multiple by R?
let's return to here
FT=m * ALPHA * R

and do not multiple by R

now as far as i see it, this is also true for every limit mass on a body, so
sigma FT = sigma (mr) * ALPHA
internal forces=0 (?)
thus
sigma external FT = FT = sigma (mr) * ALPHA

but that just doest make sense... since it as though it doesn't matter where the force is applied...


thanks a lot for helping...
 
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Mad_Eye said:
sigma external FT = FT = sigma (mr) * ALPHA

but that just doest make sense... since it as though it doesn't matter where the force is applied...
What do you mean by "it doesn't matter..."?
In any case you have to keep in mind that you had vector quantities before. For example one could use a vector \vec{R} which had length R, but direction perpendicular to the displacement and into the direction of the acceleration. Then your equation would be
\sum_i \vec{F_i}=\sum_i (m_i\vec{R}_i(t))\cdot\alpha
which due to the time dependence is not very helpful.
 
Gerenuk said:
What do you mean by "it doesn't matter..."?
In any case you have to keep in mind that you had vector quantities before. For example one could use a vector \vec{R} which had length R, but direction perpendicular to the displacement and into the direction of the acceleration. Then your equation would be
\sum_i \vec{F_i}=\sum_i (m_i\vec{R}_i(t))\cdot\alpha
which due to the time dependence is not very helpful.

by "it doesn't matters" i simply mean that, wherever the force is exerts relative to the axis, it'll cause the same angular acceleration, which we know not to be true..

and i didn't quite get it... where the time came from?
 
The point is that you need to use exact notation, which encompasses using vectors for the force (otherwise the sum of the forces is not equal to the total external force!).
The time dependence is since the orientation and thus R will change with time.
 
wow... i still don't get it...
can you write to me the real proof of torque? so i can see how it should be done?
thanks
 
Have a look at
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=363521
It's not the full answer to your question, but feel free to request a special answer :)

There I explain how the general torque law derives for a set of particle.
If the particles form a rigid body, then the proof can be continued. I think about what you would like to hear and some time later I make a post.
 
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