A Massive Bar Oscillating between Two Identical Rotating Support Rollers

mass of the bar

1

separation

1.2

coefficient of static friction

0.1

angular speed

0

amplitude of oscillation

0

run

A heavy uniform bar of mass

M

rests on top of two identical rollers that are continuously and rapidly turned in opposite directions with angular speed

ω

. The centers of the rollers are at a distance

L

apart. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the bar and the roller surfaces is

μ

, a constant independent of the relative speed of the two surfaces. The bar, held at rest with its center at distance

x(0)

from the midpoint of the two rollers, is released at

t=0

. This Demonstration depicts the subsequent motion.