NLM BYU 57

Question 57

Angular speed required so that the block does not slide

Given:
cylinder radius r, coefficient of friction μ, angular speed ω.
Key idea: At every angular position, friction must balance the tangential component of gravity, while the normal reaction changes with position.

1. Tangential direction

Let θ be measured from the lowest point. If the block does not slip relative to the cylinder, its tangential acceleration is zero.

|f| = mg|sinθ|

2. Radial direction

Towards the centre, the required centripetal acceleration is ω2r.

N − mg cosθ = mω2r
N = m(ω2r + g cosθ)

3. Static-friction condition

|f| ≤ μN
mg|sinθ| ≤ μm(ω2r + g cosθ)
g(|sinθ| − μcosθ) ≤ μω2r

4. Condition for every position

The maximum value of |sinθ| − μcosθ is

1 + μ2

Therefore,

g√1 + μ2 ≤ μω2r
ω ≥ √g√(1 + μ2)/(μr)
ωmin = √[g√(1 + μ2)/(μr)]