Rotational Motion

Pure Rotation:
A rigid body is said to have pure rotational motion if every particle of the body moves in a
circle, the centres of which lie on a straight line called the axis of rotation.

S = r Θ,
v = rω
a = rα

If the angular acceleration α is constant then the following equations of angular motion follow:

ω = ω0 + αt ω 0 - Initial angular vel

θ = ω0 + ω ω - Final angular vel
2 α - Angular acc
θ = ω0t + ½ αt2 t - Truce taken
θ - Angular displancement
ω2 = ω20 + 2αθ

Moment of Inertia :
Moment of inertia of a rigid body about an axis is defined as the sum of the products of
the masses of the particles constituting the body and the squares of their respective distance from the axis.

If the body is made of n particle having masses m1 , m2 ...., mn and if r1, r2, ...., rn are their respective distances
from the axis then the moment of inertia of the body about that axis is

l= Σ mi r2i
i=1

Moment of inertia is a scalar quantity and its SI unit is kgm2. It depends on the mass of the body and the
way mass is distributed with respect to the axis of rotation.

Radius of Gyration:
Suppose a body of mass M has moment of inertia l about an axis. The radius of gyration,
k, of the body about that axis is defined as

2
l = Mk

That is, k is the distance of a point mass M from the axis of rotation such that this point mass has the same
moment of inertia about that axis as the given body.

Theory
1
 Moments of Inertia of Regular - shaped Bodies

Body Axis Figure I k

2
Ring, Radius R Perpendicular to MR R
plane at the
centre

2
-do- Diameter ½ MR R/√2

Disc, Radius R Perpendicular to

place at the
centre ½ MR2 R/√2

-do- diameter 1/4 MR2 R/√2

Theory
2
 Body Axis Figure I k

Hollow
2
Cylinder, Radius Axis of cylinder MR R
R

Solid sphere,
2
Radius R -do- 1/2MR R/√2

Solid sphere,
Radius R Diameter 2MR2 2
5 √ 5
R

spherical shell,
Radius R -do- 2MR2 2
3 √ 3
R

Thin Rod,
Length L Perpendicular to
rod at mid-point ML2 L
12 √12

-do- Perpendicular to
rod at one end ML2 L
3 √3

Theory
3
Rotational Kinetic Energy:

Ek = ½ lω2

Where I is the moment of inertia of the body. From this expression it is clear that
moment of inertia is the rotational analogue of mass.

Law of Conservation of Angular momentum:

If the resultant external torque on a system is zero, its total
angular momentum remains constant.

Work done by a Torque:

The total work done in rotating the body from θ1 to θ2 is

W = τθ
where θ = θ1 - θ2 .
Power:
the rate at which work is done by a torque, i.e., Power in rotational motion is

P = τω
Relation between Torque and Angular Acceleration for a Rigid Body:

τ=Iα

Work-Energy Principle:
W = ½ I (ω2 - ω02)

Relation between Angular Momentum and Angular Velocity for a Rigid Body

L = mvr L = Iω Angular momentum is the moment of linear momentum

Analogy between Linear Motion and Rotation about an Axis

Linear Motion Rotational Motion Relationship
Linear Displacement s Angular Displacement θ s = rθ

Linear Velocity v = ds/dt Angular Velocity ω = dθ/dt v = rω

Linear Acceleration a = dv/dt Angular Acceleration α = dω/dt a = rα

Mass m Moment of Inertia I I = Σ mr2

Linear Momentum p = mv Angular Momentum l = Iω I=rxp

Force F Torque τ τ=rxF

Theory
4
 Expressions and Equations
Concept Linear Motion Rotational Motion
Equations of motion for constant v = u + at ω = ω0 + αt

Acceleration s = u + v .t θ = ω0 + ω .t
2 2
s = ut + ½ at2
2
θ = ω0t + ½ αt
V2= u2 + 2as 2
ω = ω0 + 2αθ

Newton’s Seconds Law F = ma = dp/dt τ = Iα = dl/dt

Work W = ∫Fds w = ∫τdθ

Kinetic Energy ½ Mv2 ½ Iω2

Work-Energy Principle W = ½ mv2 - ½mu2 W = ½ Iω2 - ½ Iω02

Power P = Fv P=τω

Rolling --Combined Rotational and Translational Motion:

Suppose a body, for example, a wheel or a sphere,
is rolling on a surface. Its motion can be treated as a combination of the translation of the centre of mass and
rotation about an axis passing through the centre of mass. The total kinetic energy E can, therefore, be
written as
E = ET + ER

where ET and ER are the translational and rotational kinetic energies, respectively. If M is the mass of the
body, v is the translational speed, ω is the angular speed, Icm is the moment of inertia about the axis through
the centre of mass and R is the radius, then

E = ½ mv2 + ½ Icm ω2
= ½ MR2 ω2 + ½ Mk2 ω2
Or E = ½ M ω2 (R2 + k2)
where k is the radius of gyration. We can also write E in terms of v as

( (
E = ½ M v2 I + k2
R2

Body k ET ER E ET /E ER /E
Ring or Hollow Cylinder R ½ Mv2 ½ Mv2 Mv2 ½ ½

Disc or Solid Cylinder R/√2 ½ Mv2 1/4 Mv2 3/4 Mv2 2/3 1/3

2 ½ Mv2 1/5 Mv2 7/10Mv2

Solid Sphere
√5R 5/7 2/7

Spherical Shell 2 ½ Mv2 1/3 Mv2 5/6Mv2 3/5 2/5

√3 R
Theory
5
A Body Rolling Down an Inclined Plane:

( (
2
Mgh = ½ M v I + k
R
2
2

√
V= 2 gh S
I + k2
R2 h

Now, let a be the linear acceleration of the body while

while rolling down the plane and let s be the length of the
plane. Then since the body starts from rest, we have
Θ
2
v = 2as
or a=v =
2
2gh Fig. 9.4

( (
2
2s I+k
. 2 (h/sin Θ)
R2

Or

a = g sin Θ
(1 + k2 /R2)

Body v a
Ring or Hollow Cylinder g sin Θ
√gh 2

Disc or Solid Cylinder 4 gh 2

√3 3 g sin Θ

Solid Sphere √710 gh 5 g sin Θ

7

3 g sin Θ
Spherical Shell √56 gh
5

Theory
6
01. A small sphere of mass 2.0 kg revolves at the end of a 1.2 m long string in a horizontal plane around
a vertical axis. Determine its moment of inertia with respect to that axis.

02. What is the moment of inertia of a homogeneous solid sphere of mass 10 kg and radius 20 cm, about
an axis passing through its center?

03. A thin cylindrical hoop having a diameter of 1.0 m and a mass of 400 g, rolls down the street. What
is the hoop’s moment of inertia about its central axis of rotation?

04. A wheel of mass 6.0 kg and radius of gyration 40 cm is rotating at 300 rpm. Find its moment of
inertia and its rotational KE.

05. A 500-g uniform sphere of 7.0-cm radius spins at 30 rev/s on an axis through its center. Find its (a)
KEr , (b) angular momentum, and (c) radius of gyration.

06. An airplane propeller has a mass of 70 kg and a radius of gyration of 75 cm. Find its moment of
inertia. How large a torque is needed to give it an angular acceleration of 4.0 rev/s2?

07. As shown in Fig. 1, a constant force of 40 N is applied tangentially to the rim of a wheel with 20-cm
radius. The wheel has a moment of inertia of 30 kg. m2 . Find (a) the angular acceleration, (b) the
angular speed after 4.0 s from rest, and (c) the number of revolutions made in that 4.0s. (d) show that
the work done on the wheel in the 4.0 s is equal to the KE, of the wheel after 4.0 s.

Fig. 1

08. The wheel on a grinder is a uniform 0.90-kg disk of 0.8-cm radius. It coasts uniformly to rest from
1400 rpm in a time of 35 s. How large a friction torque slows its motion?

09. Rework problem 08. using the relation between work and energy.

10. A flywheel has a moment of inertia of 3.8 kg. m2. What constant torque
is required to increase its frequency from 2.0 rev/s to 5.0 rev/s in 6.0
revolutions?

11. As shown in Fig.2, a mass m = 400 g hangs from the rim of a wheel of
radius r = 15 cm. When released from rest, the mass falls 2.0 m in 6.5 s.
Find the moment of inertia of the wheel.

12. Repeat Problem 11. using energy considerations.

Fig. 2

Theory
7
13. The moment of inertia of the pulley system in Fig. 3. is l = 1.70 kg. m2 ,
while r1 = 50 cm and r2 = 20 cm. Find the angular acceleration of the pulley
system and the tensions FT1 and Ft2.

14. A motor runs at 20 rev/s and supplies a torque of 75N. m. What horsepower is
it delivering?

15. The driving wheel of a belt drive attached to an electric motor has a diameter
of 38 cm and operates at 1200 rpm. The tension in the belt is 130 N on the
slack side, and 600 N on the tight side. Find the horsepower transmitted to
the wheel by the belt.

16. As shown in Fig.4, a uniform solid sphere rolls on a horizontal surface at

20 m/s and then rolls up the inclined plane. If friction losses are negligible,
what will be the value of h where the ball stops?

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

17. Starting from rest, a hoop of 20-cm radius rolls down a hill to a point 5.0 m below its starting point.
How fast is it rotating at that point?

18. As a solid disk rolls over the top of a hill on a track, its speed is 80 cm/s. If friction losses are
negligible, how fast is the disk moving when it is 18 cm below the top?

19. Find the moment of inertia of the four masses shown in Fig.5 relative to an axis perpendicular to the
page and extending (a) through point A and (b) through point B.

Fig. 6
20. The uniform circular disk in Fig.6 has mass 6.5 kg and diameter 80 cm. Compute its moment of
inertia about an axis perpendicular to the page (A) through G and (b) through A.

21. A large roller in the from of a uniform cylinder is pulled by a tractor to compact earth, it has a 1.80-m
diameter and weighs 10 kN. If frictional losses can be ignored, what average horsepower must the
tractor provide to accelerate it from rest to a speed of 4.0 m/s in a horizontal distance of 3.0 m?

22. As shown in Fig. 7, a thin uniform rod AB of mass M and length L is hinged at end A to the level
floor. It originally stands vertically. If allowed to fall to the floor as shown, with what angular speed
will it strike the floor?

Theory
8
 Fig. 7 Fig. 8

23. A man stands on a freely rotating platform, as shown in Fig. 8. What his arms extended, his rotation
frequency is 0.25 rev/s. But when he draws them in, his frequency is 0.80 rev/s. Find the ratio of his
moment of inertia in the first case to that in the second.

Fig. 9

24. A disk of moment of inertia l1 id rotating freely with angular speed ω1 when a second nonrotating,
disk with moment of inertia l2 dropped on it (Fig.10 ) . The two then rotate as a unit. Find the final
angular speed.

25. A disk like the lower one in Fig.10 has moment of inertia l1 about the axis shown. What will be its
new moment of inertia if a tiny mass M is set on it at a distance R from its center?

Fig. 10

Theory
9
27. A cord 3.0 m long is coiled around the axle of a wheel. The cord is pulled with a constant force of 40
N. When the cord leaves the axle, the wheel is rotating at 2.0 rev/s. Determine the moment of inertia
of the wheel and axle. Neglect friction. (Hint: the easiest solution is by the energy method)

28. A 25-kg wheel has a radius of 40 cm and turns freely on a horizontal axis. The radius of gyration of
the wheel is 30 cm. A 1.2-kg mass hangs at the end of a cord wrapped around the rim of the wheel.
This mass falls and cause the wheel to rotate. Find the acceleration of the falling mass and the tension
in the cord.

29. A wheel and axle having a total moment of inertia of 0.0020 kgm2 is caused to rotate a horizontal
axis by means of an 800-g mass attached to a cord wrapped around the axle. The radius of the axle is
2.0 cm. Starting from rest, how far must the mass fall to give the wheel a rotational rate of 3.0 rev/s?

30. A tiny solid ball ( l = 2Mr2/5) rolls without slipping on the inside surface of a hemisphere as shown in
Fig,11. (The ball is much smaller than shown). If the ball is released at A, how fast is it moving as it
passes (a) point B, and (b) point c?

Fig. 11

Theory
10
01. Three point masses, each of value m, are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side I. The
moment of inertia of this system about an axis along one side of the triangle is

(A) ml2
2 2 2
(B) 3/4 ml (C) 3 ml (D) 3/2 ml (E) 1/2ml2

02. Which of the following has the highest moment of inertia if each has the same mass and the same
Radius?

(A) A ring about its axis perpendicular to the plane of the ring
(B) A solid sphere about one of its diameters
(C) A spherical shell about one of its diameters
(D) A disc about its axis perpendicular to the plane of its disc

03. A mass M is moving with a constant velocity parallel to the axis. Its angular momentum with respect
to the origin

(A) is zero (B) remains constant (C) goes on increasing (D) goes on decreasing

04. The ratio of the moment of inertia of a find about an axis passing through its rim and perpendicular
to its plane and that about a diameter is

(A) 1 : 4 (B) 4 : 1 (C) 1 :2 (D) 2 : 1 (E) 4:2

05. The moments of inertia of two spheres of equal masses about their respective diameters are same.
One of them is solid and the other is hollow. The ratio of the diameter of the solid sphere to that of the
hollow sphere is :

(A) √3 : √5 (B) √5 : √3 (C) 5 : 3 (D) 3 : 5 (E) 4:3

06. Two discs have the same mass and thickness. Their materials are of densities d1 and d2 . The ratio of
their moments of inertia about an axis passing through the centre and perpendicular to the plane is

(A) d1 : d2 (B) d2 : d1 (C) 1 : d1 d2 (D) d1 d2 : 1 (E) 2 : d1 d2

07. A playground merry-go-round is at rest, pivoted about a frictionless axis. A child of mass m runs
along a path tangential to the rim with speed v and jumps on to the merry-go-round. If R is the radius
of the merry- go-round and l is its moment of inertia, then the angular velocity of the merry-go-round
and the child is

(A) mvR/mR2 +1 (B) mvR/I (C) mR2 +1/mvR (D) I/mvR (E) 1/mvR2

08. A thin circular ring of mass M is rotating about its axis with a constant angular velocity ω. Two
objects, each of mass m, are attached gently to the opposite ends of a diameter of the ring. The ring
now rotates with an angular velocity.

(A) ωM/M + m (B) ω (M - 2m)/M + 2m (C) ωM/M + 2m (D) ω(M + 2m)/M

Theory
11
09. A thin uniform circular disc of mass M and radius R is rotating in a horizontal plane about an axis
passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane with an angular velocity ω. Another disc of
same dimensions but of mass M/4 is placed gently on the first disc co-axially. The angular velocity of
the system is now

(A) √2 ω (B) 4ω/5 (C) 3 ω/4 (D) ω/3 (E) w/5

10. A spherical bal rolls on a table without slipping. Then the fraction of its total kinetic energy
associated with rotation is

(A) 2/5 (B) 2/7 (C) 5/7 (D) 3/5 (E) 4/7

11. The ratio of the time taken by a solid sphere and that taken by a disc of the same mass and radius to
roll down a smooth inclined plane from rest from the same height is

(A) 15 : 14 (B) √15 : √14 (C) 14 : 15 (D) √14 : √15 (E) √16 : √15

12. A solid cylinder (i) rolls (ii) slides down an inclined plane. The ratio of the accelerations in the two
cases is

(A) 1 : 2 (B) 2 : 3 (C) 3 : 4 (D) 1 : √2 (E) 2 : √1

13. A rod of length l, hinged at the bottom, is held vertically and then allowed to fall. The linear velocity
of its top when it hits the floor is

(A) √2gl (B) √2g/l (C) √3gl (D) √3g/l (E) √4gl

14. If a gymnast, standing on a rotating stool with his arms outstretched, suddenly lowers his arms

(A) his angular velocity decreases (B) his moment of inertia decreases
(C) his angular velocity increases (D) his moment of inertia increases

15. When a mass is rotated in a plane about a fixed point, its angular momentum is directed along

(A) the radius (B) the tangent to the orbit

(C) a line at an angle of 45° to the plane of rotation (D) the axis of rotation

16. A hollow sphere and a solid sphere, having the same mass, are released from rest simultaneously
from the top of an inclined plane. Which of the two will reach the bottom first?
(A) solid sphere (B) hollow sphere
(C) the one which has the greater density (D) both will reach the bottom simultaneously

Theory
12
17. Angular momentum of a body is defined as the product of

(A) mass and angular velocity (B) centripetal force and radius
(C) linear velocity and angular velocity (D) moment of inertia and angular velocity

18. A constant torque acting on a uniform circular wheel changes its angular momentum from A0 to 4A0
in 4 seconds. The magnitude of this torque is

(A) 3 A0 / 4 (B) A0 (C) 4 A0 (D) 12 A0 (E) 13 A0

19. A solid cylinder of mass M and radius R rolls down an inclined plane from height h without slipping.
The speed of its centre of mass when it reaches the bottom is

(A) √2gh (B) √4/3 gh (C) √3/4 gh (D) √4g/h (E) √5/3 gh

20. A mass is rotating in a plane about a fixed point. Its angular momentum is directed along

(A) the radius (B) the tangent to the orbit

(C) a line perpendicular to the plane of rotation (D) none of these

21. The moment of inertia of a thin uniform circular disc about one of its diameters is I. The moment of
inertia about an axis perpendicular to the circular surface and passing through its centre is

(A) I/2 (B) I/√2 (C) 2 I (D) √2 I (E) 3 I

22. A solid sphere rolls down without slipping from rest on a 30° incline. Its linear acceleration is

(A) 5g/ 7 (B) 5g/14 (C) 2g/3 (D) g/3 (E) g / 8

23. Two bodies with moments of inertia I1 and I2 ( I1 > I2) have equal angular momenta. If E1 and E2 are
their rotational kinetic energies respectively, then

(A) E1 > E2 (B) E1 = E1 (C) E1 < E2 (D) the one which larger mass has larger kinetic energy

24. A thin hoop of diameter 0.5 m and mass 2 kg rolls down an inclined plane from rest. If its linear
speed on reaching the foot of the plane is 2 m/s, its rotational kinetic energy at that instant is

(A) 2 J (B) 3 J (C) 4 J (D) 6 J (E) 7 J

25. A solid sphere of mass 2 kg rolls down an inclined plane from rest from a height of 7 m. Its rotational
kinetic energy on reaching the foot of the plane is (g = 10 m/s2)

(A) 10 J (B) 20 J (C) 40 J (D) 100 J (E) 200 J

26. A particle of mass m is projected with a velocity V making an angle of 45° with the horizontal. The
magnitude of the angular momentum of the projectile about the point of projection when the particle
is at its maximum height h is

(A) zero (B) mV3/4√2 g (C) mV3/√2 g (D) m√2gh3 (E) m√4gh3

Theory
13
27. A thin, uniform, circular disc is rolling down an inclined plane of inclination 30° without slipping. Its
linear acceleration along the plane is

(A) g/4 (B) g/3 (C) g/2 (D) 2g/3 (E) 4g/3

28. A particle performs uniform circular motion with angular momentum l. If the frequency of the
motion of the particle is doubled and its kinetic energy halved, the angular momentum becomes

(A) 2l (B) 4l (C) l /2 (D) l/4 (E) 3/4

29. A solid sphere of mass 1 kg and radius 3 cm is rotating about an axis passing through its centre with
an angular velocity of 50 rad/s. The kinetic energy of rotation is

(A) 9/20 J (B) 90 J (C) 910 J (D) 4500 J (E) 520 J

30. A ring and a disc, having the same mass, roll without slipping with me linear velocity. If the kinetic
energy of the ring is 8 J, that of the disc must be

(A) 2 J (B) 4 J (C) 6 J (D) 16 J (E) 24 J

31. A torque of 100 N-m, acting on a wheel at rest, rotates it through 200 radius in 10 s. The angular
acceleration of the wheel, in rad/s2 , is

(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8 (E) 16

2
32. In Q.38, the moment of inertia of the wheel in kg-m is

(A) 25 (B) 30 (C) 50 (D) 75 (E) 90

33. A solid sphere of mass 2 kg rolls up a 30° incline with an initial speed of 10 m/s. The maximum
height reached by the sphere is (g = 10 m/s2)

(A) 3.5 m (B) 7.0 m (C) 10.5 m (D) 14.0 m (E) 16.0 m

Theory
14
 M A
R
B
m
B

Theory
15
02.

Theory
16
03.

Theory
17
04.

05.

Theory
18
6. A student used the experimental setup shown in the figure to find the moment of inertia of a fly
wheel about its axis.
The axis of rotation is fixed by using frictionless bearings at the ends such that it is along the axis
passing through the center of the wheel.
Fly wheel

The free end of a string is attached to a point on the surface of the wheel and the string is wrapped
on the wheel and a mass of 2kg is attached to its free end.
a)
i. When released from rest, the load P took 0.80s to fall a distance of 1.20m. What is the
average velocity of P during this motion?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Theory
19
 ii. What is the final velocity gained by P when falling this distance?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) If the radius of the flywheel is 15cm, what is its final angular velocity?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
...............................................................................................................................................................

c)
i. By using the law of conservation of energy obtain an expression representing the variation of the
energy of P when falling this distance in usual notation.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii. By substituting values to the above expression, find the moment of inertia of the flywheel.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………......
..............................................................................................................................................................

7.

The figure shows a satellite that travels along an orbit above the earth. Two similar sensors are
connected to arms which can be folded.
Mass of each sensor is 1.5kg while they are 4.0m away from the axis of the satellite when the arms are
fully extended. When the arms are completely folded, consider that these sensors are on the axis of the
satellite and effect on the moment of inertia is negligible. Further when the mass of the arms are
considered to be negligible, the moment of inertia of the satellite about the axis at this instance is
100kgm2.
a)
i. When the arms are fully extended the satellite rotates about its axis with an angular
velocity 0.1rads-1 as shown in the figure. What is its new moment of inertia?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii. Then what is the total rotational kinetic energy of the satellite?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

b) When the satellite was rotating as mentioned in (a), the arms were completely folded and the
sensors are taken in.

i. What is the new angular velocity of the satellite?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

ii. What is the new rotational kinetic energy of the satellite?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) By considering the values obtained for rotational kinetic energies under a (ii) and b (ii),
explain whether the law of conservation of energy can be applied to these two cases?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. A hammer is made to swing with the same angular acceleration about the points A, B, and C as shown in
the figure. If the respective torques required are GA,GB and GC then,

(1997)

9. A rotating fly wheel of moment of inertia 2kg m2 about its axis is brought to rest in 20s by a constant
couple of 20 N m acting on the wheel. The initial angular velocity of the wheel in rad s-1 is,

(1) 50 (2) 100 (3) 200 (4) 400 (5) 800

(1997)

10. A mass attached to a string executes a uniform circular motion on a frictionless horizontal table. If the
string breaks, the mass will

(1) Move on a straight line radially outwards.

(2) Move on a straight line radially inwards.
(3) Move on a straight line tangential to the circle.
(4) Move away from the circle on a curved path.

(5) Continue to move along the same circular path.

(1998)

11. Stars may be formed when a huge rotating masses contract to small volumes. In such a contraction how
will the moment of inertia and the angular velocity of the rotating mass change.
Moment of inertia Angular velocity
(1) Decreases decreases
(2) Decreases increases
(3) Increases decreases
(4) Increases increases

(5) Decreases unchanged (1998)

12. A particle moving in a circle of radius 2 m at constant speed has a period of rotation 2 s. Its acceleration
towards center of the circle is,

(1) 1 ms-2 (2) 2m-2 (3) 8ms-2 (4) 2p2ms-2 (5) 8 p2ms-2
2
(1998)
13. A wheel rotating at a speed of 600 revolutions per minute about its axis comes to rest in 20 s. The angular
retardation in rad.s-2 is

(1) 60p (2) 30p (3) 10p (4) p (5) p/2

(1998)

14. Two particles A and B are moving in concentric circles of radii RA and RB such that their period of rotation
in same.
The ratio, Centripetal acceleration of A/Centripetal acceleration of B is
2 3 3
RA RA RA R RB
(1) ___ (2) ___ (3) ___ (4) ___B (5) ___
RB RB
2
RB
3
RA 3
RA
(1999)

15. A small mass is kept on a horizontal circular table which can rotate about a vertical axis passing through
the center of the table. The mass starts to slip when the angular velocity of the table becomes w. If the
distance to the mass from the center of the table is doubled the minimum angular velocity required for the
mass to start slipping is,
w
(1) __ w
(2) __ (3) w (4) Ö2w (5) 2w
Ö2 2
(1999)
16. Angular momentum of a system is

(A) Conserved only when the resultant force on it is zero.

(B) In the same direction as its angular velocity.

(C) Independent of the mass distribution of the system. Of the above statements
(1) Only (A) is true. (2) Only B is true (3) only C is true
(4) Only (B) and (C) are true. (5) All A, B, and C are true.
(1999)

17. A ring, a disc and a sphere, all of the same mass and radius, with moments of inertia IR , ID and IS
(IR > ID >IS) respectively about their axes, roll down without slipping on an inclined plane from a given
height.

1f the times taken for the ring, disc and sphere to reach the bottom of the plane are tr ,td and ts respectively,
then

(1) tr < td < ts (2) tr = td = ts (3) tr > td > ts (4) tr > td = ts (5) tr > td < ts

(1999)
 2
18. A flywheel of moment of inertia 9kg m about its perpendicular axis through the center is connected to a
motor. The motor accelerates the flywheel from rest to 600 revolutions per minute. Neglecting friction
the work done on the flywheel is
2 2 2 2 2
(1) 900p J (2) l800p J (3) 3600p J (4) 4000p J (5) 6000p J
(2000)
19. A horizontal table is rotating with a uniform angular velocity about the vertical axis passing through its
center. A mass m is at rest on the table without slipping. Observer A is sitting on the table while the
observer B is sitting on the floor, as shown in the figure, the total horizontal force on m
(1) According to A is zero and according B is towards the center.
(2) According to A is zero and according B is away from the center.
(3) According to both A and B is zero.
(4) According to both A and B is towards the center.
(5) According to both A and B is away from the center.
(2000)
20. An object moves along a horizontal circular path on the inner surface of a smooth conical shaped
vessel, as shown in the figure. The Forces acting on the object as observed by a stationary observer
is/are
(1) Weight of the object only.
(2) Weight of the object and reaction force normal to the surface only.
(3) Weight of the object and centripetal force only.
(4) Reaction force normal to the surface and centripetal force only.
(5) Centripetal force only. (2001)
21. A child of mass 20 kg is sitting on a swing of negligible mass. The swing is attached to its pivot points by
two ropes, each of 3 m length. The maximum speed of the child during a swing is found to be 3 m s-1. The
maximum tension in each rope is
(1) 130N (2) 160N (3) 200N (4) 260N (5) 300N
(2001)
22. Five identical uniform rods of length l and mass m, some of which are bent as shown below, are rotated
from rest about a vertical axis. Rods are accelerated until they reach a final angular speed of to w0 Which
of the following arrangements requires the highest energy to attain its final angular speed (w0) ?

(2002)
23. A toy car connected to a fixed point by an elastic string as shown
in figure travels in a horizontal circle of radius 2r. The initial
upstretched length of the elastic string is r. The period of rotation
of the car is T. The car is then speeded up until it is moving in a
circle of radius 3r. If the string obeys Hooke's law, and resistive
forces are negligible, the new period of rotation of the car will be

(2003)
24. Two uniform rods A and B having same dimensions but
made of different materials of densities dA and dB rotate
as shown in the figure. If the rotational kinetic energies
of the rods are same, then the ratio.

Angular momentum of A is given by

Angular momentum of B

(2003)

25. Three wheels A, B and C of the same mass and same external
radius are made out of uniform sheets of different materials as
shown in the figure. These wheels are released simultaneously
from rest from the same height at the top of an inclined plane.
The wheels roll down without slipping. The order that they will
reach the bottom of the inclined plane as first, second and third
respectively is

(1) A, B,C (2) B, C, A (3) C, A, B (4) B, A, C (5) A, C, B

(2004)

26. Two small objects of equal masses are attached to each other by a light string BC, and this system is
connected to a fixed point A with another light string AB as shown in the figure. The masses are then made
move in horizontal circular paths of radii R and 2R (see figure) with the same angular speed so that points,
B and C are always in a straight line. If T1 and T2 re the tensions of the strings BC and AB respectively,
(1) T2 = 21 T1
(2) T2 = 32 T1
(3) T2 = T1
(4) T2 = 23 T1

(5) T2 = 2T1
(2004)
27. A sphere M attached to a thread is whirled in a horizontal circle at a constant
speed as shown in the figure. The forces acting on the sphere observed by a
person who is at rest in the laboratory are best represented by

(2005)

28. A particle is moving in a circle with constant speed V as shown in the

figure. The magnitude of the change in velocity of the particle between
points P and Q is
0 0
(1) 0 (2) V sin 40 (3) 2Vsin 20
0
(4) 2Vcos20 (5) V
(2005)

29. The moment of inertia of a ring of mass M made of a uniform

thin wire about an axis through the point A (figure I)
perpendicular to the plane of the ring is 2MR2 . When the
ring is bent to a S shape as shown in figure II, the moment of
inertia about the same axis is
(1) 0 (2) 1 MR2 (3) MR2 (4) 3 MR2 (5) 2 MR2
2 2
(2006)

30. A circular disc shaped pin wheel type firework shown in the figure
performs a rotational motion about the Z-axis on a horizontal
smooth floor due to a constant reaction force generated by its
burning. Assume that the pin wheel retains the shape of a uniform
circular disc throughout and its moment of intertia I = 1 mr about
2

2
the Z- axis. If m, r, w and a are the values of mass, radius, angular
velocity and angular acceleration respectively of the burning pin
wheel at a certain instant, then
2
(1) mra is constant. (2) mr a is constant. (3) rw is constant.
2 2 2
(4) mr w co is constant. (5) mr w is constant.
(2006)
31. The two uniform disks A and B shown in the figure are
made of the same material and have equal masses. The
radius of the disk A is greater than that of B. The disks are
kept in isolation at outer space. Consider the following
statements.
(A) The disk A takes a longer time than B to gain a given speed under an external force acting through the
centres of the disks.
(B) The disk B takes a longer time than A to gain a given angular speed under an external torque about
the axis of the disks.
(C) The disk B has a higher rotational inertia about the axis of the disk than disk A. Of the above
statements,
(1) only (A) is true. (2) only (A) and (B) are true.
(3) only (B) and (C) are true. (4) all (A), (B) and (C) are true.
(5) all (A), (B) and (C) are false.
(2007)

32. As shown in figure A, a child sitting on a rotating chair,

rotates with an angular speed w The moment of inertia of the
2
system with the child around the axis of rotation is 2 kg m .
As shown in figure B, while rotating, the child catches a thin
ring R of mass 4 kg and diameter 1 m, which is falling
vertically with its plane horizontal, and with no angular
momentum. The final angular momentum of the whole
system would be,

(2007)
3
33. Figure shows a space colony of radius l0 m, rotating about its axis. At what angular speed (w) must the
space colony be rotated so that an astronaut standing on the floor of the colony experiences a push on his
feet that equals his weight on the Earth?
-1 -1 -1
(1) 0.1 rad s (2) 1 rad s (3) 2 rad s
- -1
(4) 5 rad s (5) 10 rad s
(2008)
34. A decoration consists of four independently rotating sets of
small lanterns P, Q, R, and S which are fixed to a rotating central
pole as shown in the figure (A). All the rotations take place
around vertical axes. Which of the following modes of rotations
provides the best stability to the entire decoration?

(2007)

35. A small object of mass m is suspended by a string of length l, and is

allowed to move in a horizontal circular path about the vertical axis
passing through O, as shown in figure, 1f the air resistance can be
neglected, the speed of the object will be given by

(2008)
36. The figure shows a bicycle wheel, which is rotating with large angular
velocity w about the axle AB, hung from a string connected to the end
A and holding from end B. If it is released from end B,
(1) the end B will fall down and the axle AB becomes vertical.
(2) the direction of AB remains unchanged.
(3) the axle will rotate about the vertical axis through, A,
while AB remains approximately horizontal.
(4) the end B will fall down and the wheel will start to oscillate like a pendulum.
(5) the end B will move upward first and then fall down and will start to oscillate like a pendulum.
(2008)
37. The moment of inertia of a certain spinning star has dropped to 1 of its initial value due to contraction.
3
The ratio, New rotational kinetic energy of the star
Initial rotational kinetic energy of the star. is equal to

(1) 1 (2) 1 (3) 3 (4) 9 (5) 27

9 3
(2009)
38. Figure shows a uniform square plate from which the part XBYA
has been removed. If the moment of inertia of the plate around axes
perpendicular to the plate and through the points A, B and C are IA,
IB and IC respectively then
(1) IA=IB=IC (2) IA=IB>IC (3) IA>IB>IC
(4) IA>IC>IB (5) IA<IC<IB
(2009)
39. One end of a thin inelastic string of length l is attached to a
small object of mass m resting on a frictionless horizontal
surface and the other end is fixed to a point on the surface of a
vertical cylindrical pillar of radius R, so that the string remains
horizontal. A velocity u is given to the object, perpendicular to
the string and along the surface as shown in the figure. The
angular velocity of the object around the axis of the pillar
when it hits the pillar is
u
(1) 0 (2) v (3) v (4) ¾¾ (5) 2u
R l ÖR2 + l2 R
(2009)
40. If the angular velocity (w) of an object varies with time (t) as shown
in the figure, the corresponding variation of angular displacement
(q) with time (t) is best represented by

(2010)

41. Two stars, A and B of uniform density have equal radii. Star A having twice the mass of star B is spinning
three times faster than star B.
The ratio, angular momentum of star A is
angular momentum of star B

(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 6 (5) 18

6
(2010)

-1
42. A circular disk of radius 0.5 m rolls with a uniform angular speed 12 rad s on a horizontal surface without
slipping. Two points P and Q are located on the perimeter of the disk. The speeds of the two points relative
to the earth when they are at the positions shown in the figure, are
P Q
(1) 6 m s-1 6 m s-1
(2) 6 m s-1 3 m s-1
(3) 6 m s-1 0
(4) 12 m s-1 6 m s-1
-1
(5) 12 m s 0
(2010)
43. If the moments of inertia of an uniform cylindrical rod about the axes A, B and C shown are IA, IB and IC
respectively, then
(1) IA > IB > IC
(2) IA < IB < IC
(3) IB = IC > IA
(4) IA = IB = IC
(5) IB > IC > IA
(2010)

44. A space shuttle B of moment of inertia I2 and angular speed w2 joins smoothly with
a space station A of moment of inertia I1 and angular speed w1, along the common
axis as shown in the figure. Neglect the linear motions of both objects. The
angular speed of the system about the common axis after joining the two objects
would be.

(2011)

45. The three uniform objects shown in the figure have

equal masses. Object A is a solid cylinder of radius r.
Object B is a hollow thin cylinder of radius R. Object
C is a solid cube whose sides are of length 2R. If the
moments of inertia of the objects about the axes
shown are
IA, IB and IC respectively, then
(1) IB < IC < IA (2) IB > IC > IA (3) IB > IC < IA (4) IA = IB < IC (5) IA > IB = IC
(2011)

46. A car of mass m manoeuvres a circular bend of radius of curvature r in a horizontal flat road with a speed
v. If the car skids then (m is the coefficient of friction between the road and a tyre).
47. A grain of sand is stuck to a tyre of a vehicle at a distance r from its centre. The radius of the tyre is R.
When the tyre is rotating at an angular speed of w, the sand grain detaches suddenly from the tyre. If the
air resistance is neglected, the horizontal component of the velocity of the grain relative to the vehicle
immediately after detachment could have a value between
(1) 0 and (R - r)w (2) 0 and (R + r)w (3) 0 and rw

(4) -r w and r w (5) (R - r)w and (R + r)w

(2012)