The magic of the gravity-defying cylinder

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Date

2016-01-05

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IOP Publishing Inc.

Abstract

The motion of an eccentrically loaded circular hoop is analysed when it rolls without slipping in such a way that its centre of mass stays at the same vertical height, ensuring the conservation of kinetic energy of the hoop. The equation of the required path for such rolling is derived. Although the kinetic energy of the rolling hoop remains constant, its distribution into the rotational mode and the translational mode keeps varying. As a result, it turns out that the hoop's geometric centre actually speeds up while the hoop rolls up its path, and slows down on its way down. This presents the idea of demonstrating an apparently gravity-defying situation where a closed right circular cylinder that is actually eccentrically loaded on the inside is utilised. Since its centre must speed up as it gains vertical height, and vice versa, the cylinder would look as if going against gravity.

Description

This is the Accepted Manuscript version of an article accepted for publication in European Journal of Physics. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0143-0807/37/2/025002/meta.

Keywords

circular hoop, eccentrically loaded, neutral equilibrium, kinetic energy

Citation

De, S. (2016). The magic of the gravity-defying cylinder. European Journal of Physics, 37(2), 025002.

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Article