Visualization in mechanics: the dynamics of an unbalanced roller
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Peter S. Cumber [1]
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[1] Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University
Reino Unido
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- Localización: International journal of mathematical education in science and technology, ISSN 0020-739X, Vol. 48, Nº. 3, 2017, págs. 434-454
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
It is well known that mechanical engineering students often find mechanics a difficult area to grasp. This article describes a system of equations describing the motion of a balanced and an unbalanced roller constrained by a pivot arm. A wide range of dynamics can be simulated with the model. The equations of motion are embedded in a graphical user interface for its numerical solution in MATLAB. This allows a student's focus to be on the influence of different parameters on the system dynamics. The simulation tool can be used as a dynamics demonstrator in a lecture or as an educational tool driven by the imagination of the student. By way of demonstration the simulation tool has been applied to a range of roller–pivot arm configurations. In addition, approximations to the equations of motion are explored and a second-order model is shown to be accurate for a limited range of parameters.
