Calculating frequency for small torsional oscillation

In summary, the problem involves a thin, uniform, rigid disk of mass M and radius R welded to a light, elastic shaft of radius r and length L with a shear modulus of G. The torsional oscillation is represented by phi and the equations used in solving the problem include phi=TL/GI and I=pi/2*r^4 for the polar area moment of inertia. The approach used is equating torque using the Newtonian approach, but the torque of the disk is uncertain. The shear modulus plays a role in the phi equation, but its relation to the torsional modulus is unclear. Conservation of energy is recommended for solving the problem.
  • #1
lzh
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Homework Statement


A thin, uniform, rigid disk of mass M, radius R is welded to a light, elastic shaft of radius r, length L, shear modulus G. Phi is the torsional oscillation.
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Homework Equations



Phi=TL/GI
I=pi/2*r^4(polar area moment of inertia)

The Attempt at a Solution


Since the shaft is "light", I assumed it to be massless and considered it a spring instead. I'm not sure if this is the right train of thought. I'm trying the Newtonian approach of equating torque:

I(total)*phi"=torque of shaft+torque of disk

somehow though, I couldn't figure out the torque of the disk. If the shaft is a spring, it's torque would be k*phi.

Am I even on the right track here? Should I do conservation of energy instead?
 
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  • #2
hi lzhlzh1 :smile:
lzh said:
A thin, uniform, rigid disk of mass M, radius R is welded to a light, elastic shaft of radius r, length L, shear modulus G …

do you know what shear modulus is?

if so, write an equation for it :wink:
 
  • #3
it's the ratio of shear stress to shear strain.

G=(F/A)/tan(theta)
but truthfully I don't understand what role G plays in this question except for in the phi equation i posted
 
  • #4
you'll need to use conservation of energy (ie kinetic energy of the disc plus torsional potential energy of the shaft)

but i don't know how the shear modulus in the question is related to the torsional modulus :confused:
 
  • #5


Your approach of equating torque is correct. To calculate the torque of the disk, you can use the formula T = I * alpha, where T is the torque, I is the moment of inertia, and alpha is the angular acceleration. In this case, the moment of inertia is given by I = (1/2)*M*R^2, and the angular acceleration alpha is equal to phi" (double derivative of phi with respect to time).

So the equation becomes (1/2)*M*R^2*phi" = k*phi, where k is the spring constant of the shaft.

To solve for phi, you can use the small angle approximation, which states that for small angles, sin(phi) is approximately equal to phi. This simplifies the equation to M*R^2*phi" = 2k*phi.

Using this equation, you can solve for the frequency of the torsional oscillation, which is given by f = 1/(2*pi)*sqrt(k/(M*R^2)).

In this case, since the shaft is considered to be a spring, you can use the formula for the spring constant k = (G*pi*r^4)/(2*L).

Substituting this into the frequency equation, you get f = 1/(2*pi)*sqrt((G*pi*r^4)/(2*M*L*R^2)).

Note that this is the frequency for small torsional oscillations, so it is valid only for small values of phi. If you need to calculate the frequency for larger values of phi, you will need to use a different approach, such as conservation of energy.
 

FAQ: Calculating frequency for small torsional oscillation

What is the formula for calculating frequency for small torsional oscillation?

The formula for calculating the frequency for small torsional oscillation is f = (1/2π) * √(k/I), where f is the frequency, k is the torsional spring constant, and I is the moment of inertia.

How do you determine the torsional spring constant for a system?

The torsional spring constant can be determined by applying a known torque to the system and measuring the resulting angular displacement. The constant can then be calculated using the formula k = T/θ, where T is the applied torque and θ is the angular displacement.

Can frequency be calculated for any torsional oscillation, regardless of amplitude?

Yes, the formula for calculating frequency for small torsional oscillation is valid for any amplitude. However, for larger amplitudes, the system may no longer exhibit simple harmonic motion and the frequency may change.

How does the moment of inertia affect the frequency of torsional oscillation?

The moment of inertia is directly proportional to the frequency of torsional oscillation. This means that as the moment of inertia increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.

Are there any practical applications for calculating frequency for small torsional oscillation?

Yes, the calculation of frequency for small torsional oscillation is important in many fields such as mechanical and electrical engineering. It is used to design and analyze systems that involve torsional motion, such as pendulums, torsion balances, and torsional springs.

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