- #1
NTesla
- 163
- 22
- Homework Statement
- A uniform rod is kept vertically on a horizontal smooth surface at point O. If it is rotated slightly and released, it falls down on the horizontal surface. The lower end will remain:
(a) at O.
(b) at a distance less than ##l/2## from O.
(c) at a distance ##l/2## from O.
(d) at a distance larger than ##l/2## from O.
- Relevant Equations
- ##\tau=I\alpha##
According to me, (a) is the correct answer. However, it's not the right answer according to the book I'm reading.
My understanding is that about point O, there will be a torque due to rod's weight, which will rotate the rod about point O. For eg, if I take a pencil and make it stand vertically on the table, and then rotate it slightly and then release it, it's bottom most point which touches the surface will not move, the whole pencil will rotate about the point O due to torque due to its weight. As such, the lower end will remain at point O.
But my answer is wrong according to the book.
Can someone please tell why my answer is wrong ?
My understanding is that about point O, there will be a torque due to rod's weight, which will rotate the rod about point O. For eg, if I take a pencil and make it stand vertically on the table, and then rotate it slightly and then release it, it's bottom most point which touches the surface will not move, the whole pencil will rotate about the point O due to torque due to its weight. As such, the lower end will remain at point O.
But my answer is wrong according to the book.
Can someone please tell why my answer is wrong ?