Statement
2.1.51∗. A heavy plate is placed on two rollers of different radii. The plate forms an angle
Solution
The motion of the plate is complex: it consists of horizontal motion (due to the rolling of the rollers) and motion at an angle to the horizontal, but overall it is translational. Let us mark the forces.
Blue vectors represent forces acting on the roller (
Similar forces act on the smaller-radius roller.
Red vectors represent forces acting on the plate (
We choose the
Writing the equation of motion for the plate in projections on the
This equation contains three unknowns. We need more equations.
Now let’s write the rotational equation of motion for the roller:
That is, the product of the moment of inertia and the angular acceleration equals the sum of the torques acting on the roller.
The lever arms of the forces acting on the roller (relative to
For force
For force
For force
Thus, the rotational equation for the roller is (since the roller mass is negligible,
From here:
Substituting this into equation (1), we get:
Thus, the required acceleration is: