- #1
TheFerruccio
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Homework Statement
Here, have a diagram I made!
The problem is to find the moment about the midpoint of the bar when it is horizontal, given that the right end is moving in towards the frictionless slot at a velocity v. Gravity and friction are neglected in this system. If you want, assume you're looking down on this problem from above, and it is happening on a table.
Homework Equations
Force is the time derivative of momentum. Moment is time derivative of angular momentum.
The Attempt at a Solution
My problem stems from trying to figure out the geometry of this. I am not sure how to even approach this. See, if the slot was vertical instead of inclined, this would feel like a much simpler problem to me.
I know that what I want to do is find an equation for angular momentum about the midpoint. This requires finding the x and y velocity of the midpoint, as well as an equation for the rate of change of the angle of the bar.
I just do not know what to do about the geometry. Do I use the law of sines? Something is not clicking here.