IPhO 1976 · Theory problem 1

Small block inside a rotating hollow sphere

A hollow sphere of radius \(R = 0.5\ \mathrm{m}\) rotates about a vertical axis through its centre with an angular velocity of \(\omega = 5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\). Inside the sphere a small block is moving together with the sphere at the height of \(R/2\) (Fig. 6). (\(g = 10\ \mathrm{m/s^2}\).)

a) What should be at least the coefficient of friction to fulfill this condition?

b) Find the minimal coefficient of friction also for the case of \(\omega = 8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\).

c) Investigate the problem of stability in both cases,

α) for a small change of the position of the block,

β) for a small change of the angular velocity of the sphere.

Figure 1

Figure 6

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • a) \(\displaystyle \boxed{\mu_{\min}=\frac{3\sqrt3}{23}\approx0.226}\), with friction acting upward along the surface.
  • b) \(\displaystyle \boxed{\mu_{\min}=\frac{3\sqrt3}{29}\approx0.179}\), with friction acting downward along the surface. Both coefficients are dimensionless.
  • c) α) At the respective minimum coefficients, both equilibria are locally stable, with a restoring tendency on one side and sticking on the other:
  • At \(5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\), an upward displacement produces a downward restoring tendency; a downward displacement permits sticking.
  • At \(8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\), a downward displacement produces an upward restoring tendency; an upward displacement permits sticking.

Azimuthal displacements are neutral. - c) β) Comparing nearby steady rotations at the original height: - At \(5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\), increasing \(\omega\) permits sticking; decreasing it produces a downward sliding tendency. - At \(8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\), decreasing \(\omega\) permits sticking; increasing it produces an upward sliding tendency.

Thus the original height is marginal with respect to changes of speed, while nearby stable resting positions remain available.

Solution

a) Treat the small block as a particle and use Coulomb friction. Let \(\theta\) be its angular position measured from the downward vertical through the sphere’s centre. Its height above the bottom and its distance from the rotation axis are

\[ h=R(1-\cos\theta),\qquad \rho=R\sin\theta. \]

The figure specifies \(h=R/2\), so

\[ \cos\theta_0=\frac12,\qquad \theta_0=60^\circ,\qquad \sin\theta_0=\frac{\sqrt3}{2}. \]

Let \(N\) denote the inward normal reaction and let \(f\) be the signed friction force, positive upward along the surface, in the direction of increasing \(\theta\).

In the frame rotating with the sphere, the stationary block experiences gravity, the normal reaction, friction, and the centrifugal force \(m\omega^2R\sin\theta\). Resolving perpendicular and tangential to the surface gives

\[ N=m\left(g\cos\theta+\omega^2R\sin^2\theta\right), \]

\[ f=m\sin\theta\left(g-\omega^2R\cos\theta\right). \]

Static equilibrium requires \(|f|\leq\mu N\). Therefore, at the specified height,

\[ \mu_{\min} =\frac{\sin\theta_0\left|g-\omega^2R\cos\theta_0\right|} {g\cos\theta_0+\omega^2R\sin^2\theta_0} =\frac{\sqrt3\,|2g-\omega^2R|}{2g+3\omega^2R}. \]

For \(\omega=5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\),

\[ \omega^2R=12.5\ \mathrm{m/s^2}, \]

and hence

\[ \boxed{\mu_{\min} =\frac{\sqrt3(20-12.5)}{20+37.5} =\frac{3\sqrt3}{23} \approx0.226}. \]

Here \(g-\omega^2R\cos\theta_0>0\), so friction must act upward along the surface.

b) For \(\omega=8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\),

\[ \omega^2R=32\ \mathrm{m/s^2}, \]

giving

\[ \boxed{\mu_{\min} =\frac{\sqrt3(32-20)}{20+96} =\frac{3\sqrt3}{29} \approx0.179}. \]

Now \(g-\omega^2R\cos\theta_0<0\): the centrifugal force’s tangential component exceeds gravity’s opposing component. Friction therefore acts downward along the surface.

c) α) Small changes of position

Keep the coefficient equal to the corresponding minimum found above. Consider a small displacement along the surface, followed by release at rest relative to the sphere. We use the idealized single-coefficient Coulomb-friction model.

Introduce

\[ q=\frac{\omega^2R}{g}, \qquad K(\theta,q)=\frac{f_{\mathrm{required}}}{N} =\frac{\sin\theta(1-q\cos\theta)} {\cos\theta+q\sin^2\theta}. \]

The condition for sticking is

\[ -\mu\leq K\leq\mu. \]

If \(K>\mu\), even maximum upward friction is insufficient, and the block starts downward. If \(K<-\mu\), maximum downward friction is insufficient, and it starts upward.

At fixed angular velocity,

\[ \frac{\partial K}{\partial\theta} = \frac{1-q\cos\theta+q^2\sin^2\theta} {\left(\cos\theta+q\sin^2\theta\right)^2}. \]

At \(\theta_0=60^\circ\), the numerator is

\[ 1-\frac q2+\frac{3q^2}{4}>0, \]

so \(K\) increases with height in both cases.

For \(5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\), the original equilibrium has \(K=\mu\). Raising the block makes \(K>\mu\), producing downward motion toward the original latitude. Lowering it places \(K\) inside the sticking interval.

For \(8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\), the original equilibrium has \(K=-\mu\). Lowering the block makes \(K<-\mu\), producing upward motion toward the original latitude. Raising it places \(K\) inside the sticking interval.

Angular velocity Small upward displacement Small downward displacement
\(5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\) Downward restoring tendency Can stick
\(8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\) Can stick Upward restoring tendency

Thus both equilibria are locally stable under this displacement test. Friction allows neighboring resting positions, so the block need not return to exactly its original latitude. A displacement around the vertical axis changes none of the force components and is neutral.

c) β) Small changes of angular velocity

First compare neighboring steady rotations, keeping the block at its original height. Differentiating the signed friction ratio with respect to \(q\),

\[ \frac{\partial K}{\partial q} =-\frac{\sin\theta} {\left(\cos\theta+q\sin^2\theta\right)^2}<0. \]

Since \(q=\omega^2R/g\), increasing the angular velocity decreases \(K\).

At \(5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\), initially \(K=\mu\). Increasing \(\omega\) brings \(K\) inside the permitted interval; decreasing \(\omega\) makes \(K>\mu\), requiring more upward friction than is available.

At \(8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\), initially \(K=-\mu\). Decreasing \(\omega\) brings \(K\) inside the permitted interval; increasing \(\omega\) makes \(K<-\mu\), requiring more downward friction than is available.

Initial angular velocity Small increase in \(\omega\) Small decrease in \(\omega\)
\(5\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\) Original height permits sticking Downward sliding tendency
\(8\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}\) Upward sliding tendency Original height permits sticking

The original height therefore cannot be maintained for both signs of a speed change at the minimum coefficient.

Nevertheless, the boundary of the allowed resting positions moves continuously. Keeping \(K=\pm\mu\) and differentiating gives

\[ \delta\theta_{\mathrm b} = \frac{\sin\theta_0} {1-q\cos\theta_0+q^2\sin^2\theta_0}\,\delta q, \qquad \delta q=\frac{2R\omega}{g}\,\delta\omega. \]

Its coefficient is finite and positive in both cases. Thus, in the unfavorable direction of speed change, a small downward adjustment in case a), or a small upward adjustment in case b), reaches the neighboring range of admissible resting positions.

The solution was checked against the official solution.