Self-induced jumping of a rigid body of revolution on a smooth horizontal surface

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the motion of a rigid body of revolution on a rigid and perfectly smooth horizontal surface under the influence of the uniform gravitational field. Basic equations are listed and their solutions are given. The unilateral contact between the body and the plane at non-steady motion is investigated and the procedure of calculation of threshold values of the body energy above which the contact is broken is given. In contrast to Shimomura et al. [Dynamics of an axisymmetric body spinning on a horizontal surface. II. Self-induced jumping. Proc. R. Soc. A 461 (2005) 1775–1809], who assumed sliding friction in their analysis, it is found that the self-induced jumping can also occur in the absence of friction at the very beginning of the motion. The free motion after the contact is lost and impact of the body when it again makes contact with the plane is discussed. The motion of a spheroid and a disk which illustrate the results of the general theory are discussed in some detail.