Sliding on the Surface of a Rough Sphere

Abstract

A well-known textbook problem treats the motion of a particle sliding frictionlessly on the surface of a sphere. An interesting variation is to consider what happens when kinetic friction is present. A rich variety of curves of upsilon (theta) are possible for a point particle sliding on the surface of a rough sphere. Generating and graphing these curves can therefore prove a profitable method for students to learn how to use a spreadsheet in introductory physics. In particular, it can help them appreciate that while it is helpful to try random values of the plot parameters, a more focused approach is necessary to sample the full range of possible trajectories of a nontrivial dynamical system.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA574909

Entities

People

  • Carl E. Mungan

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Friction
  • Information Operations
  • Instructors
  • Particles
  • Sliding Friction
  • Standards
  • Students
  • Trajectories
  • United States Naval Academy

Readers

  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Mathematical Modeling and Probability Theory.
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).