Dynamics of rotational motions – problems and solutions
1. A pulley with the moment of inertia I = 2/5 MR2 has a mass of 2-kg. If the moment of force on the pulley is 4 N.m then what is the linear acceleration of the pulley. Acceleration due to gravity is g = 10 m.s-2.
Known :
The moment of inertia of the pulley (I) = 2/5 MR2
Mass of pulley (M) = 2 kg
Moment of force (τ) = 4 Nm
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m.s-2
Radius of pulley (R) = 20 cm = 0.2 m
Wanted : The linear acceleration (a)
Solution :
The moment of inertia of pulley (I) :
I = 2/5 MR2 = 2/5 (2)(0.2)2 = 2/5 (2)(0.04) = 2/5 (0.08) = 0.16 / 5 = 0.032 kg m2
The angular acceleration (α) :
τ = I α
α = τ/I = 4 / 0.032 = 125 rad.s-2
The linear acceleration (a) :
a = R α = (0.2)(125) = 25 m.s-2
The linear acceleration of the edge of pulley is 25 m.s-2.
2. Acceleration of pulley is 2 ms-2. Acceleration due to gravity is g = 10 m.s-2. What is the moment of inertia of the pulley.
Known :
The linear acceleration of the edge of pulley (a) = 2 ms-2
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m.s-2
Radius of pulley (R) = 10 cm = 0.1 m
Object’s weight (w) = m g = (4)(10) = 40 N
Wanted : The moment of inertia of pulley
Solution :
The moment of force (τ) :
τ = F R = w R = (40)(0.1) = 4 Nm
The angular acceleration of the pulley (α) :
a = R α
α = a/R = 2 / 0.1 = 20 rad.s-2
The moment of inertia of the pulley (I) :
τ = I α
I = τ/α = 4/20 = 0.2 kg m2
3. The pulley accelerated at 1 ms-2. If radius of pulley is 10 cm,what is the moment of inertia of the pulley.
Known :
The linear acceleration of the edge of pulley (a) = 1 ms-2
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m.s-2
Radius of pulley (R) = 10 cm = 0.1 m
Force (F) = 4 N
Wanted : The moment of inertia of the pulley
Solution :
The moment of force (τ) :
τ = F R = (4)(0.1) = 0.4 Nm
The angular acceleration of pulley (α) :
a = R α
α = a/R = 1 / 0.1 = 10 rad.s-2
The moment of inertia of pulley (I) :
τ = I α
I = τ/α = 0.4 / 10 = 0.04 kg m2