22.3k views
1 vote
A stick of length 1.0 m and mass 6.0 kg is free to rotate about a horizontal axis through the center. small bodies of masses 4.0 and 2.0 kg are attached to its two ends (see the following figure). the stick is released from the horizontal position. what is the angular velocity of the stick when it swings through the vertical?

1 Answer

0 votes

Final answer:

This question requires the use of conservation of energy principles to determine the angular velocity of a rotating stick with unequal masses attached at its ends.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question asks what the angular velocity of a stick will be when it swings through the vertical after being released from a horizontal position. The stick has masses attached to both ends and can rotate freely around its center. This problem is related to rotational motion and can be solved using principles from conservation of energy or rotational dynamics.

For such a system in free rotation without any external torques, the gravitational potential energy at the horizontal position will be completely converted into rotational kinetic energy at the vertical position. By equating the potential energy at the start to the kinetic energy when the stick is vertical, we can solve for the angular velocity.

Key details such as the mass distribution and length of the stick are crucial in determining the moment of inertia and hence the rotational kinetic energy.

User Amit Shekhar
by
7.8k points