What is the equation of motion to determine when a rod will slip off a table?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The equation of motion for a uniform rod of length 2L resting on a horizontal table with length L+a projecting over the edge is derived to determine when the rod will slip off. The rod begins to slide when it has turned through an angle of tan-1(μL2/(L2 + 9a2)), where μ is the coefficient of static friction. The analysis involves balancing forces and torques, leading to the conclusion that the frictional force equals the gravitational component acting parallel to the rod plus the centripetal force necessary for circular motion. The normal force is calculated using torque and angular acceleration considerations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static friction and its coefficient (μ)
  • Knowledge of torque and angular acceleration concepts
  • Familiarity with the parallel axis theorem for moment of inertia
  • Basic principles of dynamics, including force and motion equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the parallel axis theorem in rotational dynamics
  • Learn about the conservation of energy in mechanical systems
  • Explore the dynamics of rigid body motion and angular momentum
  • Investigate the effects of varying coefficients of friction on motion
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of rigid bodies and frictional forces in motion analysis.

schuksj
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hi. My question is this. A uniform rod of length 2L is held resting on a horizonal table with length L+a projecting over the edge. If the support is removed, show tthat the rod willb egin to slide over hte ege when it has turned through an angle tan^-1(mu*L^2/(L^2+ 9a^2)). mu is the coeffiecent of static friction. I am having trouble finding the equation of motion to start this problem.


m*a=mgsin(theta)-mu*m*g*cos(theta) I think is the right way to start since
force of friction=mu*m*g*cos(theta). Now how do I go from here to get the angle it slips off? And what should the angle of rotation be?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
schuksj said:
Hi. My question is this. A uniform rod of length 2L is held resting on a horizonal table with length L+a projecting over the edge. If the support is removed, show tthat the rod willb egin to slide over hte ege when it has turned through an angle tan^-1(mu*L^2/(L^2+ 9a^2)). mu is the coeffiecent of static friction. I am having trouble finding the equation of motion to start this problem.


m*a=mgsin(theta)-mu*m*g*cos(theta) I think is the right way to start since
force of friction=mu*m*g*cos(theta). Now how do I go from here to get the angle it slips off? And what should the angle of rotation be?
Are you turning the table up?

Start by analysing the forces on the rod under static conditions:

F_{gravity} + F_{normal} + F_{friction} = 0

The normal force is the trickiest because there is a torque about the edge of the table that has the effect of reducing the normal force on the part that is in contact with the table.

AM
 
schuksj said:
Hi. My question is this. A uniform rod of length 2L is held resting on a horizonal table with length L+a projecting over the edge. If the support is removed, show tthat the rod willb egin to slide over hte ege when it has turned through an angle tan^-1(mu*L^2/(L^2+ 9a^2)). mu is the coeffiecent of static friction. I am having trouble finding the equation of motion to start this problem.


m*a=mgsin(theta)-mu*m*g*cos(theta) I think is the right way to start since
force of friction=mu*m*g*cos(theta). Now how do I go from here to get the angle it slips off? And what should the angle of rotation be?
The force of friction is not mu*m*g*cos(theta). I took the normal force to be always perpendicular to the rod and the frictional force parallel to the rod. The frictional force is set equal to the component of gravity parallel to the rod [mgsin(theta)] plus the centripetal force required to keep the rod moving on a circular path. The rod slips when the frictional force reaches mu*N. The normal force is found from torque and angular acceleration considerations and finding the linear acceleration of the CM as the ratio [mgcos(theta) - N]/m. I also used conservation of energy before slipping. I found it convenient to work in terms of I_CM and I about the pivot point (I_CM + ma^2; parallel axis theorem) until the end.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
9K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K