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In this paper we answer the question of finding the coefficient of friction k. We also extend the problem
into additional interesting features such as finding the equations of motion at steady-state.
November challenge
First, we investigate the helix motion. The regularity of the helix suggests that it can be casted in simple
parametric equations. Thus, parametric form of the helix is:
x (t ) = r cos( t ) x ' (t ) = −r sin( t )
y (t ) = r sin( t ) y ' (t ) = r cos( t )
d d
z (t ) = t z ' (t ) =
2π 2π
Now, we want to length of one complete turn. To find the length of the turn, we integrate the parametric
equations:
2 2
2π 2π d d
S=∫ x '2 + y '2 + z '2 dt = ∫ r2 + dt = 2π r 2 + = 4π 2 r 2 + d 2
0 0 4π 2 4π 2
This can be visualized as when then bead moves downward a distance d, it travels a horizontal distance of
2πr and hence by Pythagoras theorem, the total distance travel S is 4π 2 r 2 + d 2
After we have found the length, we can find the angle that the bead is sliding down. According to the
diagram:
d 2πr d
sin( α) = cos( α ) = tan( α) =
S S 2πr
v 4 cos 2 (α )
= m cos(α ) + g2
r2
v4
= m cos(α ) cos 2 (α ) + g 2
r2
v4
= m cos(α ) 2
cos 2 (α ) + g 2
r
2. Find the equation of motion of the bead if there is no friction i.e the bead is sliding down due to
gravity
Suppose that the bead has travelled a distance L and dropped a height h from its initial position at
rest.
Intuitively, in the presence of a constant force, the distance travel is proportional to t2 or L=at2
Alternatively, we can derive it using energy approach.
We have:
h d d
= constant = =
L S 4π r 2 + d 2
2
Ld
h=
4π r 2 + d 2
2
2 gd
2 L= t
4π 2 r 2 + d 2
gd
L= t
2 4π 2 r 2 + d 2
gd
L= t2
2 4π 2 r 2 + d 2
Differentiating the distance travelled to get the velocity:
gd
v= t
4π r + d 2
2 2
gd
y (t ) = −r sin π t 2
( 4π r + d )
2 2 2