IPhO 2003 · Theory problem 1

A Swing with a Falling Weight

A rigid cylindrical rod of radius \(R\) is held horizontal above the ground. With a string of negligible mass and length \(L\) (\(L>2\pi R\)), a pendulum bob of mass \(m\) is suspended from point \(A\) at the top of the rod as shown in Figure 1a. The bob is raised until it is level with \(A\) and then released from rest when the string is taut. Neglect any stretching of the string. Assume the pendulum bob may be treated as a mass point and swings only in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod. Accordingly, the pendulum bob is also referred to as the particle. The acceleration of gravity is \(\vec g\).

Figure 1

Figure 1a

Let \(O\) be the origin of the coordinate system. When the particle is at point \(P\), the string is tangential to the cylindrical surface at \(Q\). The length of the line segment \(QP\) is called \(s\). The unit tangent vector and the unit radial vector at \(Q\) are given by \(\hat t\) and \(\hat r\), respectively. The angular displacement \(\theta\) of the radius \(OQ\), as measured counterclockwise from the vertical \(x\)-axis along \(OA\), is taken to be positive.

When \(\theta=0\), the length \(s\) is equal to \(L\) and the gravitational potential energy \(U\) of the particle is zero. As the particle moves, the instantaneous time rates of change of \(\theta\) and \(s\) are given by \(\dot\theta\) and \(\dot s\), respectively.

Unless otherwise stated, all the speeds and velocities are relative to the fixed point \(O\).

Part A

In Part A, the string is taut as the particle moves. In terms of the quantities introduced above (i.e., \(s,\theta,\dot s,\dot\theta,R,L,g,\hat t\) and \(\hat r\)): find:

(a) The relation between \(\dot\theta\) and \(\dot s\). (0.5 point)

(b) The velocity \(\vec v_Q\) of the moving point \(Q\) relative to \(O\). (0.5 point)

(c) The particle’s velocity \(\vec v'\) relative to the moving point \(Q\) when it is at \(P\) (0.7 point)

(d) The particle’s velocity \(\vec v\) relative to \(O\) when it is at \(P\). (0.7 point)

(e) The \(\hat t\)-component of the particle’s acceleration relative to \(O\) when it is at \(P\). (0.7 point)

(f) The particle’s gravitational potential energy \(U\) when it is at \(P\). (0.5 point)

(g) The speed \(v_m\) of the particle at the lowest point of its trajectory. (0.7 point)

Part B

In Part B, the ratio \(L\) to \(R\) has the following value:

\[ \frac LR=\frac{9\pi}{8}+\frac23\cot\frac{\pi}{16} =3.534+3.352=6.886 \]

(h) What is the speed \(v_s\) of the particle when the string segment from \(Q\) to \(P\) is both straight and shortest in length? (in terms of \(g\) and \(R\)) (2.4 points)

(i) What is the speed \(v_H\) of the particle at its highest point \(H\) when it has swung to the other side of the rod? (in terms of \(g\) and \(R\)) (1.9 points)

Part C

In Part C, instead of being suspended from \(A\), the pendulum bob of mass \(m\) is connected by a string over the top of the rod to a heavier weight of mass \(M\), as shown in Figure 1b. The weight can also be treated as a particle.

Figure 2

Figure 1b

Initially, the bob is held stationary at the same level as \(A\) so that, with the weight hanging below \(O\), the string is taut with a horizontal section of length \(L\). The bob is then released from rest and the weight starts falling. Assume that the bob remains in a vertical plane and can swing past the falling weight without any interruption.

The kinetic friction between the string and the rod surface is negligible. But the static friction is assumed to be large enough so that the weight will remain stationary once it has come to a stop (i.e. zero velocity).

(j) Assume that the weight indeed comes to a stop after falling a distance \(D\) and that \((L-D)\gg R\). If the particle can then swing around the rod to \(\theta=2\pi\) while both segments of the string free from the rod remain straight, the ratio \(\alpha=D/L\) must not be smaller than a critical value \(\alpha_c\). Neglecting terms of the order \(R/L\) or higher, obtain an estimate on \(\alpha_c\) in terms of \(M/m\). (3.4 points)

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • (a) \(\displaystyle \dot s=-R\dot\theta.\)
  • (b) \(\displaystyle \vec v_Q=R\dot\theta\,\hat t.\)
  • (c) \(\displaystyle \vec v'=\dot s\,\hat t-s\dot\theta\,\hat r.\)
  • (d) \(\displaystyle \vec v=-s\dot\theta\,\hat r.\)
  • (e) \(\displaystyle a_{\hat t}=-s\dot\theta^{\,2}.\)
  • (f) \(\displaystyle U=mg\bigl[R(\cos\theta-1)-s\sin\theta\bigr].\)
  • (g) \(\displaystyle v_m=\sqrt{2g\left[L+\left(1-\frac{\pi}{2}\right)R\right]}.\)
  • (h) \(\displaystyle v_s=\frac{2}{\sqrt3}\cos\frac{\pi}{16}\sqrt{gR}\approx1.133\sqrt{gR},\) at \(\displaystyle \theta_s=\frac{9\pi}{8}.\)
  • (i) \(\displaystyle v_H=\frac{2}{\sqrt3}\cos\frac{\pi}{16}\sin\frac{\pi}{8}\sqrt{gR}\approx0.4334\sqrt{gR}.\)
  • (j) \(\displaystyle \alpha\ge\alpha_c,\qquad \alpha_c\simeq\frac{3}{\,2M/m+3\,}.\)

The speed factors \(\sqrt{gR}\) have units of \(\mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}\) when \(g\) and \(R\) are expressed in SI units.

Solution

Take \(\hat x\) vertically upward and introduce \(\hat y\) horizontally to the left. The unit vectors shown in Figure 1a are then

\[ \hat r=\cos\theta\,\hat x+\sin\theta\,\hat y, \qquad \hat t=-\sin\theta\,\hat x+\cos\theta\,\hat y. \]

Consequently,

\[ \frac{d\hat r}{dt}=\dot\theta\,\hat t, \qquad \frac{d\hat t}{dt}=-\dot\theta\,\hat r, \]

and the particle’s position is

\[ \vec{OP}=R\hat r+s\hat t. \]

(a) The length wrapped around the rod is \(R\theta\). Conservation of string length gives

\[ s+R\theta=L. \]

Differentiating,

\[ \boxed{\dot s=-R\dot\theta}. \]

(b) Since \(\vec{OQ}=R\hat r\),

\[ \boxed{\vec v_Q=\frac{d}{dt}(R\hat r)=R\dot\theta\,\hat t}. \]

Here \(Q\) denotes the changing geometrical contact point; it need not remain the same point on the stationary rod.

(c) The displacement of the particle relative to \(Q\) is \(s\hat t\). Differentiating this vector in fixed axes gives

\[ \vec v' =\frac{d}{dt}(s\hat t) =\dot s\,\hat t+s\frac{d\hat t}{dt}. \]

Thus

\[ \boxed{\vec v'=\dot s\,\hat t-s\dot\theta\,\hat r}. \]

(d) Adding the velocity of \(Q\),

\[ \vec v=\vec v_Q+\vec v' =(R\dot\theta+\dot s)\hat t-s\dot\theta\,\hat r. \]

Using part (a), the \(\hat t\)-component cancels:

\[ \boxed{\vec v=-s\dot\theta\,\hat r}. \]

In particular, during the initial swing with \(\dot\theta>0\),

\[ v=s\dot\theta. \]

(e) Differentiate the velocity:

\[ \vec a =-\left(\dot s\dot\theta+s\ddot\theta\right)\hat r -s\dot\theta^{\,2}\hat t. \]

Therefore,

\[ \boxed{a_{\hat t}=-s\dot\theta^{\,2}=-\frac{v^2}{s}}. \]

The negative sign indicates acceleration toward \(Q\) along the straight string.

(f) From the position vector, the particle’s vertical coordinate is

\[ x=R\cos\theta-s\sin\theta. \]

Initially \(x=R\), where the potential energy is defined to be zero. Hence

\[ \boxed{U=mg(x-R)=mg\bigl[R(\cos\theta-1)-s\sin\theta\bigr]}. \]

(g) The tension is along \(-\hat t\), whereas the velocity is along \(\hat r\), so tension does no work. Conservation of mechanical energy gives

\[ \frac12mv^2+U=0, \]

or

\[ v^2=2g\bigl[R(1-\cos\theta)+s\sin\theta\bigr]. \]

To locate the lowest point, differentiate the height using \(ds/d\theta=-R\):

\[ \frac{dx}{d\theta} =-R\sin\theta-\frac{ds}{d\theta}\sin\theta-s\cos\theta =-s\cos\theta. \]

The height decreases before \(\theta=\pi/2\) and increases immediately afterward. Thus the lowest point occurs at

\[ \theta_m=\frac{\pi}{2}, \qquad s_m=L-\frac{\pi R}{2}, \qquad x_m=-s_m. \]

The vertical drop from release is \(R+s_m\), giving

\[ \boxed{ v_m=\sqrt{2g(R+s_m)} =\sqrt{2g\left[L+\left(1-\frac{\pi}{2}\right)R\right]} }. \]

(h) Let \(T\) denote the tension. Gravity has component \(mg\sin\theta\) along \(\hat t\), so Newton’s second law and part (e) give

\[ mg\sin\theta-T=-m\frac{v^2}{s}. \]

Therefore,

\[ T=m\left(\frac{v^2}{s}+g\sin\theta\right). \]

Substituting the energy expression,

\[ \frac{T}{mg} =\frac{2R(1-\cos\theta)}{s}+3\sin\theta. \]

As the bob winds around the rod, \(s=L-R\theta\) decreases. A string cannot exert negative tension, so this constrained motion ends when \(T\) first returns to zero. At that instant the string is still straight and has its shortest length on the initial swing.

The tension is positive for \(0<\theta\le\pi\). Write its first subsequent zero as

\[ \theta_s=\pi+\delta. \]

The condition \(T=0\) becomes

\[ 2R(1+\cos\delta)-3s_s\sin\delta=0, \]

hence

\[ \frac{s_s}{R} =\frac23\frac{1+\cos\delta}{\sin\delta} =\frac23\cot\frac{\delta}{2}. \]

Since \(L=s_s+R\theta_s\),

\[ \frac LR=\pi+\delta+\frac23\cot\frac{\delta}{2}. \]

Comparison with the specified exact value of \(L/R\) gives the relevant first root

\[ \boxed{\delta=\frac{\pi}{8}}, \qquad \boxed{\theta_s=\frac{9\pi}{8}}, \]

and

\[ s_s=\frac{2R}{3}\cot\frac{\pi}{16}\approx3.352R. \]

At zero tension,

\[ v_s^2=-gs_s\sin\theta_s =gs_s\sin\frac{\pi}{8}. \]

Using \(\sin(2a)\cot a=2\cos^2a\),

\[ v_s^2 =\frac{4gR}{3}\cos^2\frac{\pi}{16}. \]

Thus

\[ \boxed{ v_s=\frac{2}{\sqrt3}\cos\frac{\pi}{16}\sqrt{gR} \approx1.133\sqrt{gR} }. \]

(i) At the instant found in part (h),

\[ \hat r_s =-\cos\frac{\pi}{8}\,\hat x -\sin\frac{\pi}{8}\,\hat y. \]

Since \(\vec v_s=-v_s\hat r_s\), the upward and horizontal velocity components are

\[ v_{x,s}=v_s\cos\frac{\pi}{8}, \qquad v_{y,s}=v_s\sin\frac{\pi}{8}. \]

The string goes slack, and the particle follows a projectile trajectory. Its horizontal velocity stays constant, while its upward velocity reaches zero after

\[ t_H=\frac{v_s}{g}\cos\frac{\pi}{8}. \]

At the highest point, its speed is therefore just its horizontal speed:

\[ \boxed{ v_H=v_s\sin\frac{\pi}{8} =\frac{2}{\sqrt3}\cos\frac{\pi}{16}\sin\frac{\pi}{8}\sqrt{gR} \approx0.4334\sqrt{gR} }. \]

The continued slackness during this ascent can also be checked geometrically. Define

\[ k=\frac{s_s}{R},\quad u=\frac{v_s}{\sqrt{gR}},\quad c=\cos\frac{\pi}{8},\quad b=\sin\frac{\pi}{8}, \quad \tau=t\sqrt{\frac gR}. \]

The projectile coordinates \(X=x/R,\ Y=y/R\) are

\[ X=-c+kb+uc\tau-\frac12\tau^2, \qquad Y=-b-kc+ub\tau, \qquad 0\le\tau\le uc. \]

For a point on this trajectory, let

\[ \sigma=\sqrt{X^2+Y^2-1}, \qquad \phi=2\pi+\operatorname{atan2}(Y,X). \]

The string length required for a wrapped arc followed by a straight tangent is

\[ \frac{\ell_{\rm req}}R=\phi-\arctan\sigma+\sigma. \]

Substitution and differentiation show that this length decreases throughout the ascent: it starts at \(L/R=6.88585\) and reaches \(6.75065\) at \(H\). Thus the string remains slack up to the highest point, as required for the projectile calculation.

(j) Neglecting the specified corrections due to the rod radius, the bob’s distance from the effective pivot after the weight stops is

\[ \ell=L-D. \]

The wrapped lengths and the vertical offsets associated with the rod are of order \(R\); neglecting them is justified by \((L-D)\gg R\).

The falling weight loses gravitational potential energy \(MgD\). Kinetic friction is negligible, and the weight has zero kinetic energy when it stops. Thereafter, the stationary string contact does no work. Thus the bob’s conserved mechanical energy, measured relative to its initial horizontal level, is \(MgD\).

Its height at angle \(\theta\) is approximately \(-\ell\sin\theta\), so

\[ \frac12mv^2-mg\ell\sin\theta=MgD. \]

Writing \(\mu=M/m\), this gives

\[ v^2=2g\bigl(\mu D+\ell\sin\theta\bigr). \]

For the subsequent circular motion, the tension is

\[ T=m\left(\frac{v^2}{\ell}+g\sin\theta\right) =mg\left(\frac{2\mu D}{\ell}+3\sin\theta\right). \]

The restrictive position is the top of the loop, at \(\theta=3\pi/2\), where \(\sin\theta=-1\). Keeping the string straight requires

\[ T_{\rm top}\ge0, \]

or

\[ \frac{2\mu D}{\ell}\ge3. \]

Equivalently, at the top the bob must retain at least the speed \(\sqrt{g\ell}\); its energy there must therefore be at least

\[ mg\ell+\frac12mg\ell=\frac32mg\ell. \]

Using \(\ell=L-D\) and \(\alpha=D/L\),

\[ 2\mu D\ge3(L-D), \]

\[ (2\mu+3)\alpha\ge3. \]

Consequently,

\[ \boxed{ \alpha_c\simeq\frac{3}{2\mu+3} =\frac{3}{\,2M/m+3\,}, \qquad \alpha\ge\alpha_c }. \]

Equality is the limiting case of zero tension at the top. The assumed static friction holds the heavier weight stationary during the subsequent swing.

The solution was checked against the official solution.