What is the acceleration of a cylinder when a torque is applied to it?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration of a cylinder when a torque is applied. A 5kg cylinder with a radius of 0.1 meters and coefficients of static and kinetic friction is subjected to a torque of 2 Newton meters. Initially, the user struggled with the calculations, leading to confusion about the negative result obtained for angular acceleration. However, after further analysis, the user successfully derived the correct acceleration of the center of mass as 2.67 m/s², confirming the book's answer. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying the principles of rotational dynamics and friction in solving such problems.
dumbdumNotSmart
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Homework Statement


Got a spicy one for you today.
There is a cylinder of mass 5kg (M) with no angular velocity and no velocity, on a surface of static friction constant μ=0.6 . It's radius is .1 meters (R). Its baricentric moment of inertia is characterized by I=.5MR^2 . Gravity is 10m/s. Kinematic μ=0.4 is also given of the flat surface.

At time t=0s, torque is applied by an external force of a magnitude of η=2 Newton meters so that it begins to roll.

Find the acceleration of the center of mass of the cylinder.
The answer in the book is a=2.67m/s^2
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Homework Equations


Rototranslation
Σmoment of inertia = Iα
ma=Σforces
αR=a

The Attempt at a Solution


Alright, so I began assuming it would begin rolling without sliding, thus we use static μ.
I sum up the inertias like so to find the angular acceleration of the cylinder.
η-μR=Iα ⇒ R(η-μR)/I=a
This gives me a negative number. I am confused. The answer in the book is a=2.67m/s^2

Why is it that simply using inertias does not work? I hear it might be done setting a fixed point and using angular momentum, but the problem is in the Rototranslation chapter.

Edit:
I believe I managed to solve it:

Ffriction=ma α=a/r
Mcupla-Ff*r=mr^2*α/2 ⇒ Mc-mar=mr*a/2 ⇒ Mc= 3mar/2 ⇒ a=2Mc/(3mr) ⇒ a=2.67m/s^2
 
Last edited:
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With regard to your first attempt, if the coefficient of static friction is ##\mu_s## and the normal force is N, what is the force of static friction? Think carefully before answering.
 
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