Rotation - Angular acceleration

In summary, the discussion was about determining the angular acceleration of a pulley in a physics problem. The solution involved understanding that although the string at point A has the same acceleration as the block (2a), the pulley itself only moves down by x and rotates by an amount of x/r. Therefore, the angular acceleration is α = a/r and not 2a/r. This clarification helped the person asking the question to understand and solve other related problems.
  • #1
cupid.callin
1,132
1

Homework Statement


attachment.php?attachmentid=33293&stc=1&d=1300620115.jpg



The Attempt at a Solution


I need to know what will be angular acceleration of the pulley

i guessed that point A will have same acceleration as of the string and therefore of the block i.e. 2a

so angular acc., α = 2a/r

but it comes out that α = a/r

WHY?
 

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  • #2
cupid.callin said:
i guessed that point A will have same acceleration as of the string and therefore of the block i.e. 2a

so angular acc., α = 2a/r

but it comes out that α = a/r

WHY?

It's true that the string at point A has the same acceleration as the block (2a).
However, it will still be that α = a/r.

To understand this, let's say that the block moves to the right by 2x.
Then the string at A will go downward by 2x.
However, the pulley itself will go down by x, and not by 2x.

Since the string goes down by 2x and the pulley goes down by x, the the pulley will rotate by an amount phi = x/r.
Note that the missing string part is found on the right of the pulley where the string length increases by x.
 
  • #3
I like Serena said:
To understand this, let's say that the block moves to the right by 2x.
Then the string at A will go downward by 2x.

wont the String at A will go down by x
and also by x on point diametrically opposite to A ? :confused:

But i still can't understand why α = a/r
:confused::cry:
 
  • #4
cupid.callin said:
wont the String at A will go down by x
and also by x on point diametrically opposite to A ? :confused:

But i still can't understand why α = a/r
:confused::cry:

I've drawn the following picture:
pulley.jpg


Here you have the situation before and after the block moves 2x to the right.
As you can see, point A lowers to A' which is 2x lower.
The pulley moves down by x, and rotates on its circumference by x.
This makes the pulley rotate by an amount φ = x/r (and not by 2x/r!).
With 'α' being the second derivative of φ, and with 'a' being the second derivative of 'x', this yields α = a/r (and not 2a/r!).
 
  • #5
I like Serena said:
I've drawn the following picture:
View attachment 33301

Here you have the situation before and after the block moves 2x to the right.
As you can see, point A lowers to A' which is 2x lower.
The pulley moves down by x, and rotates on its circumference by x.
This makes the pulley rotate by an amount φ = x/r (and not by 2x/r!).
With 'α' being the second derivative of φ, and with 'a' being the second derivative of 'x', this yields α = a/r (and not 2a/r!).

Hey thanks a lot "I like Serena"

You really helped me a lot

I had 4 questions stuck due to this problem !

Thanks a Lot !
 

Related to Rotation - Angular acceleration

1. What is angular acceleration?

Angular acceleration is the rate at which an object's angular velocity changes over time. It is a measure of how quickly an object is rotating.

2. How is angular acceleration calculated?

Angular acceleration can be calculated by dividing the change in angular velocity by the change in time. The formula is:
angular acceleration = (change in angular velocity) / (change in time)

3. What are the units of angular acceleration?

The units of angular acceleration are radians per second squared (rad/s²) or degrees per second squared (deg/s²).

4. How does angular acceleration differ from linear acceleration?

Angular acceleration is specific to rotational motion, while linear acceleration is specific to linear motion. Angular acceleration is measured in terms of angle (radians or degrees) and time, while linear acceleration is measured in terms of distance (meters) and time.

5. What factors affect the angular acceleration of an object?

The angular acceleration of an object can be affected by the net torque acting on the object, the object's moment of inertia, and the object's angular velocity. Additionally, external forces such as friction and air resistance can also affect the angular acceleration.

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