Math Problem Statement

A uniform rod of length 1.3 m is attached to a frictionless pivot at one end. It is released from rest from an angle theta = 27o above the horizontal. Find the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the rod's CM. HINT: A convenient reference point to choose for the torque and moment of inertia is the actual pivot point. Note that your book gives the moment of inertia in that case as 1/3 m L^2 (p. 247)

A uniform rod of length 1.3 m is attached to a frictionless pivot at one end. It is released from rest from an angle θ = 27° above the horizontal. Find the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the rod's CM.

Solution

To find the initial acceleration of the center of mass (CM) of the rod, let’s go through the necessary steps with the given dataTo find the initial acceleration of the center of mass (CM) of the rod, let’s go through the necessary steps with the given

  1. Given Data and Variables:

    • Length of the rod, L=1.3mL = 1.3 \, \text{m}
    • Angle θ=27\theta = 27^\circ above the horizontal
    • Moment of inertia about the pivot, I=13mL2I = \frac{1}{3} m L^2
    • Gravitational acceleration, g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2
  2. Torque Calculation: The torque (τ\tau) about the pivot point is generated by the weight of the rod acting at its center of mass (CM), which is located at a distance L2\frac{L}{2} from the pivot.

    τ=Force×Distance from pivot=(mg)L2sinθ\tau = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance from pivot} = (mg) \cdot \frac{L}{2} \cdot \sin \theta

  3. Angular Acceleration (α\alpha): The angular acceleration can be found using Newton's second law for rotation:

    τ=Iα\tau = I \alpha

    Substituting τ\tau and II from the above equations:

    mgL2sinθ=13mL2αmg \cdot \frac{L}{2} \cdot \sin \theta = \frac{1}{3} m L^2 \alpha

    Simplifying by canceling mm and LL on both sides:

    g12sinθ=13Lαg \cdot \frac{1}{2} \cdot \sin \theta = \frac{1}{3} L \alpha

    Solving for α\alpha:

    α=3gsinθ2L\alpha = \frac{3g \sin \theta}{2L}

  4. Linear Acceleration of the CM: The linear acceleration aCMa_{\text{CM}} of the center of mass can be related to the angular acceleration α\alpha as follows:

    aCM=αL2a_{\text{CM}} = \alpha \cdot \frac{L}{2}

  5. Substitute Values: Now, substitute g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2, L=1.3mL = 1.3 \, \text{m}, and θ=27\theta = 27^\circ:

    α=39.8sin2721.3\alpha = \frac{3 \cdot 9.8 \cdot \sin 27^\circ}{2 \cdot 1.3}

    First, calculate sin270.454\sin 27^\circ \approx 0.454:

    α=39.80.45421.313.35962.65.14rad/s2\alpha = \frac{3 \cdot 9.8 \cdot 0.454}{2 \cdot 1.3} \approx \frac{13.3596}{2.6} \approx 5.14 \, \text{rad/s}^2

    Now, calculate aCMa_{\text{CM}}:

    aCM=5.141.325.140.653.34m/s2a_{\text{CM}} = 5.14 \cdot \frac{1.3}{2} \approx 5.14 \cdot 0.65 \approx 3.34 \, \text{m/s}^2

Final Answer:

The magnitude of the initial acceleration of the center of mass of the rod is approximately 3.34m/s23.34 \, \text{m/s}^2.

Would you like further details on any step or have additional questions?

Here are some questions that expand on the topic:

  1. How would the initial acceleration change if the rod were released from a different angle?
  2. What would be the effect on the acceleration if the rod’s length were doubled?
  3. How would friction at the pivot alter the initial conditions and calculations?
  4. Can you calculate the initial angular velocity of the rod if it were given an initial push?
  5. How does the moment of inertia affect the overall acceleration?

Tip: Remember that angular and linear quantities are related in rotational dynamics, with the linear acceleration at a point a distance rr from the pivot given by a=rαa = r \alpha.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Rotational Dynamics
Torque
Moment of Inertia
Angular and Linear Acceleration

Formulas

Torque (τ) = Force × Distance from pivot
Moment of Inertia about pivot (I) = (1/3) * m * L^2
Torque (τ) = I * α
Angular acceleration (α) = (3g * sin(θ)) / (2 * L)
Linear acceleration of CM (a_CM) = α * (L / 2)

Theorems

Newton's Second Law for Rotation

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Physics