NCERT Solutions for Class 11

Physics
Chapter 7 - Systems of Particles and Rotational Motion

1. Give the location of the centre of mass of a

(a) sphere,
(b) cylinder,
(c) ring, and
(d) cube, each of uniform mass density.
Does the centre of mass of a body necessarily lie inside the body?
Ans: The centre of mass (C.M.) can be defined as a point where the mass of a
body is supposed to be concentrated.
For the above listed geometric shapes having a uniform mass density, the centre
of mass lies at their respective geometric centres.
The centre of mass of a specific body need not necessarily lie inside of the body.
For example, the centre of mass of bodies such as a ring, a hollow sphere, etc.,
lie outside the respective body.

2. In the HCl molecule, the separation between the nuclei of the two atoms
is about 1.27Å 20kg . Find the approximate location of the CM of the
molecule, given that a chlorine atom is about 35.5 times as massive as a
hydrogen atom and nearly all the mass of an atom is concentrated in its
nucleus.
Ans: The provided situation can be expressed as:

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Distance between H and Cl atoms  1.27Å
Mass of H atom  m
Mass of Cl atom  35.5m
Let the centre of mass of the given system be at a distance x from the Cl atom.
Distance between the centre of mass and the H atom  1.27  x 

Let us suppose that the centre of mass of the given molecule lies at the origin.
Therefore, it can be written as:

m 1.27  x   35.5mx
0
m  35.5m
 m 1.27  x   35.5mx  0

 1.27  x  35.5x
1.27
x  0.037 Å
 35.5  1
Here, the negative sign gives an indication that the centre of mass lies at the left
side of the molecule.
Therefore, the centre of mass of the HCl molecule lies 0.037Å from the Cl
atom.

3. A child sits stationary at one end of a long trolley moving uniformly with
a speed v on a smooth horizontal floor. If the child gets up and runs
about on the trolley in any manner, what is the speed of the CM of the
(trolley + child) system?
Ans: There will not be any change in the speed of the centre of mass of the
given system.
The child is running arbitrarily on a trolley that is moving forward with velocity
v . However, the running of the child will have no effect on the velocity of the
centre of mass of the trolley. This happens because of the force due to the
motion of child is purely internal. Internal forces in a body produce no effect on

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the motion of the bodies on which they are acting. Because there is no external
force involved in the (child + trolley) system, the child’s motion will not
produce any change in the speed of the centre of mass of the trolley.

4. Show that the area of the triangle contained between the vectors a and b
is one half of the magnitude of a  b .

Ans: Let us consider two vectors OK  a and OM  b , which are inclined at

an angle  , as shown in the following figure.

In OMN , we can express the relation:

MN MN
sin   
OM b

 MN  b sin 

Now,

a  b  a b sin 

2
 a  b  OK  MN 
2

 a  b  2  Area of OMK

1
 Area of OMK  ab
2

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5. Show that a   b  c  is equal in magnitude to the volume of the
parallelepiped formed on the three vectors, a , b and c .
Ans: A parallelepiped with origin O and sides a , b , and c is depicted in the
following figure.

Volume of the given parallelepiped  abc

And

OA  a

OB  b

OC  c

Let us suppose that n̂ be a unit vector perpendicular to both b and c . Therefore,

n̂ and a have the same direction.

b  c  bcsin nˆ

 b  c  bcsin 90 nˆ

 b  c  bcnˆ
Now,

 
a b  c  a   bcnˆ 

 
 a b  c  abccos nˆ

 
 a b  c  abccos0 nˆ

 
 a b  c  abccos0

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  
 a b  c  abc

 
 a b  c  abc  Volumeof theparallelepiped

6. Find the components along the x , y , z axes of the angular momentum l

of a particle, whose position vector is r with components x , y , z and
momentum is p with components p x , p y and p z . Show that if the particle
moves only in the x-y plane the angular momentum has only a z-
component.

Ans: Linear momentum of the particle, p  p x ˆi  p yˆj  pz kˆ

Position vector of the particle, r  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ

Angular momentum,

l  rp

  
 l  xiˆ  yjˆ  zkˆ  p x ˆi  p yˆj  pz kˆ 
 ˆi ˆj kˆ 
 
 l  x y z
p py pz 
 x 
Now,

l x ˆi  l yˆj  lz kˆ  ˆi  yp z  zp y   ˆj  xp z  zp x   kˆ  xp y  zp x 

On comparing the coefficients of î , ˆj and k̂ , we can write:

lx  ypz  zp y ,

l y  zp x  xpz ,

lz  xp y  ypx …… (1)

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The particle is moving in the x-y plane. Therefore, the z-component of the
position vector and linear momentum vector is becoming zero, i.e., z  p z  0

Thus, equation (1) reduces to:

lx  0

ly  0

lz  xp y  ypx

Hence, when the particle is subject to move in the x-y plane, the direction of
angular momentum will be along the z-direction.

7. Two particles, each of mass m and speed v , travel in opposite directions

along parallel lines separated by a distance d . Show that the vector
angular momentum of the two-particle system is the same whatever be
the point about which the angular momentum is taken.
Ans: Let us suppose that at a certain instant two particles be at points P and Q ,
as shown in the given figure.

Angular momentum of the system about point P can be given as:

L P  mv  0  mv  d

 L P  mvd …… (1)

Angular momentum of the system about point Q can be given as:

LQ  mv  d  mv  0

 LQ  mvd …… (2)

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Let us consider a point R , which is at a distance y from point Q , i.e.,

QR  y
 PR  d  y

Angular momentum of the system about point R can be given as:

LR  mv   d  y   mv  y

 L R  mvd  mvy  mvy

 L R  mvd …… (3)

On comparing equations (1), (2), and (3), we get:

LP  LQ  LR …… (4)

We can hence infer from equation (4) that the angular momentum of a system is
independent of the point about which it is taken.

8. A non-uniform bar of weight W is suspended at rest by two strings of

negligible weight as shown in Fig.7.39. The angles made by the strings
with the vertical are 36.9 and 53.1 respectively. The bar is 2m long.
Calculate the distance d of the centre of gravity of the bar from its left
end.

Ans: The free body diagram of the bar can be drawn as shown in the given
figure.

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Length of the bar is given, l  2m
T1 and T2 are the tensions generated in the left and right strings respectively.

At translational equilibrium, we can express:

T1 sin 36.9  T2 sin 53.1

T1 sin 53.1
 
T2 sin 36.9

T1 0.800 4
  
T2 0.600 3

4
 T1  T2
3
On taking the torque about the centre of gravity, for rotational equilibrium, we
can write:
T1 cos36.9 d  T2 cos53.1  2  d 

 T1  0.800  d  T2 0.600  2  d 

4
  T2  0.800  d  T2  0.600  2  0.600d 
3
 1.067d  0.6d  1.2
1.2
d
1.67
 d  0.72m

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Therefore, the centre of gravity of the given bar lies 0.72m from the left end of
the bar.

9. A car weighs 1800kg . The distance between its front and back axles is
1.8m . Its centre of gravity is 1.05m behind the front axle. Determine the
force exerted by the level ground on each front wheel and each back
wheel.
Ans: Mass of the car is given as, m  1800kg

Distance between the front and back axles, d  1.8m

Distance between the centre of gravity and the back axle  1.05m
The different forces acting on the car are shown in the given figure:

The forces in the figure, R f and R b are the forces exerted by the level ground on
the front wheels and back wheels respectively.
At translational equilibrium we can write:
R f  R b  mg

 R f  R b  1800  9.8

 R f  R b  17640 N …... (1)

For rotational equilibrium, on taking the torque about the centre of gravity, we
can write:
R f 1.05  R b 1.8  1.05

 R f  1.05  R b   0.75

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 R f 0.75 5
  
R b 1.05 7

Rb 7
 
Rf 5

 R b  1.4R f …… (2)

Solving equations (1) and (2), we obtain:

1.4R f  R f  17640N

17640
 Rf  N  7350N
2.4
 R b  17640  7350  N  10290N

Therefore, the force exerted on each front wheel can be given as

7350
N  3675N and
2
10290
the force exerted on each back wheel can be given as N  5145N
2

10.
(a) Find the moment of inertia of a sphere about a tangent to the sphere,
given the moment of inertia of the sphere about any of its diameters to
2MR 2
be where M is the mass of the sphere and R is the radius of the
5
sphere.
Ans: The moment of inertia (M.I.) of a sphere about its diameter can be given
2MR 2
as:
5

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According to the theorem of parallel axes, the moment of inertia of a body about
any axis is same as the sum of the moment of inertia of a certain body about a
parallel axis passing through its centre of mass and the product of its mass and
the square of the distance between the two parallel axes.
The moment of inertia about a tangent of the sphere can be expressed as:

2MR 2 7
 MR 2  MR 2
5 5

(b) Given the moment of inertia of a disc of mass M and radius R about any
1
of its diameters to be MR 2 , find its moment of inertia about an axis
4
normal to the disc and passing through a point on its edge.
1
Ans: The moment of inertia of a disc about its diameter can be given as: MR 2 .
4

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We can infer that, according to the theorem of perpendicular axis, the moment
of inertia of a planar body (lamina) about an axis perpendicular to its plane is
same as the sum of its moments of inertia about two perpendicular axes
concurrent with perpendicular axis and lying in the plane of the body.
The moment of inertia of the disc about its centre is
1 1 1
MR 2  MR 2  MR 2
4 4 2
The position of the perpendicular axis is shown in the following figure.
On application of the theorem of parallel axes:
The moment of inertia about an axis normal to the disc and passing through a
1 3
point on its edge is MR 2  MR 2  MR 2 .
2 2

11. Torques of equal magnitude are applied to a hollow cylinder and a solid
sphere, both having the same mass and radius. The cylinder is free to
rotate about its standard axis of symmetry, and the sphere is free to
rotate about an axis passing through its centre. Which of the two will
acquire a greater angular speed after a given time?
Ans: Let us assume that m and r be the respective mass and radius of the
hollow cylinder and the solid sphere. The moment of inertia of the hollow
cylinder about its standard axis can be given as,

I1  mr 2

The moment of inertia of the solid sphere about an axis that passes through its
centre can be given as,
2
I 2  mr 2
5
The formula for torque in terms of angular acceleration and moment of inertia
can be expressed as:
  I

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Where,
  Torque
  Angular acceleration
I  Moment of inertia
For the hollow cylinder the expression can be given as,
1  I11

For the solid sphere the expression can be given as,

2  I 2 2

As an equal amount of torque is applied to both the bodies it can be stated as,
 2 I1 mr 2 2
  
1 I 2 2 mr 2 5
5
 2  1 …… (1)

Using the relation   0  t

Where,
  Angular acceleration
t  Time of rotation
0  Initial angular velocity

  Final angular velocity

For equal 0 and t , we have:

   …... (2)
From equations (1) and (2), we can conclude:
2  1

Therefore, the angular velocity (  ) of the solid sphere will be greater than that
of the hollow cylinder.

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12. A solid cylinder of mass 20kg rotates about its axis with angular speed
100rads1 . The radius of the cylinder is 0.25m . What is the kinetic
energy associated with the rotation of the cylinder? What is the
magnitude of angular momentum of the cylinder about its axis?
Ans: Mass of the cylinder is given, m  20kg

Angular speed of the cylinder,   100rad s 1

Radius of the solid cylinder, r  0.25m

The moment of inertia of the solid cylinder can be expressed as:
1
I  mr 2
2
1
 I   20kg   0.25
2

2
 I  6.25kgm2

1
Kinetic energy of the cylinder  I2
2
1
 K.E.   6.25  100 
2

2
Angular Momentum of the cylinder,
L  I
 L  6.25  100
 L  62.5Js

13.
(a) A child stands at the centre of a turntable with his two arms
outstretched. The turntable is set rotating with an angular speed of
40rev / min . How much is the angular speed of the child if he folds his

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 2
hands back and thereby reduces his moment of inertia to times the
5
initial value? Assume that the turntable rotates without friction.
Ans: Given that,
Initial angular velocity of turntable, 1  40rev / min

Final angular velocity of the given turntable is  2

The moment of inertia of the child with stretched hands can be given as I1

The moment of inertia of the child with folded hands can be given as I 2

The two moments of inertia are related to each other as follows:

2
I2  I1
5
Since no external force acts on the child, the angular momentum L is not
varying.
Therefore, for the two circumstances, we can write:
I11  I 22

I1
 2  1
I2

I1 5
 2   40   40
2 2
I1
5
 2  100rev / min

(b) Show that the child’s new kinetic energy of rotation is more than the
initial kinetic energy of rotation. How do you account for this increase
in kinetic energy?
Ans: Given that,

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 1
Initial Kinetic energy of rotation of the turntable, Ei  I121
2
1
Final kinetic energy of rotation of the turntable, Ef  I22 2
2
1
Ef 2 I 2 2
2

E i 1 I 2
1 1
2
1 2
  I 2
Ef 2 5 1 2
 
Ei 1 2
I1 1
2
Ef 2 2 2
  
Ei 5 21

2 100 
2
E
 f  
Ei 5  40 2

Ef
  2.5
Ei

 E f  2.5  Ei

The increase in the rotational kinetic energy is related to the internal energy of
the boy on the turntable.

14. A rope of negligible mass is wound round a hollow cylinder of mass 3kg
and radius 40cm . What is the angular acceleration of the cylinder if the
rope is pulled with a force of 30N ? What is the linear acceleration of the
rope? Assume that there is no slipping.
Ans: Given that,
Mass of the hollow cylinder is given as, m  3kg

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Radius of the hollow cylinder is given as, r  40cm  0.4m
Applied force on the given rope is given as, F  30N
The moment of inertia of the hollow cylinder about its geometric axis can be
given as:

I  mr 2
 I  3   0.4 
2

 I  0.48kgm 2

Torque acting on the rope,

  F r
   30  0.4
   12Nm
For angular acceleration  , torque can also be given by the expression:
  I
 12
 
I 0.48

   25rads2

Linear acceleration of the rope can be stated as  ra  0.4  25  10ms2 .

15. To maintain a rotor at a uniform angular speed of 200rad s 1 an engine

needs to transmit a torque of 180Nm . What is the power required by
the engine? (Note: uniform angular velocity in the absence of friction
implies zero torque. In practice, applied torque is needed to counter
frictional torque). Assume that the engine is 100% efficient.
Ans: Given that,
Angular speed of the rotor is given as, 200rad / s
Torque required by the rotor of the engine is given as 180Nm .

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The power of the rotor  P  can be expressed in the relation of torque and
angular speed by the formula P  

 P  180  200  30 103

 P  36kW
Therefore, the power required by the engine is 36kW .

R
16. From a uniform disk of radius R , a circular hole of radius is cut out.
2
R
The centre of the hole is at from the centre of the original disc.
2
Locate the centre of gravity of the resulting flat body.
Ans: Given that,
Mass per unit area of the original disc can be given as  .
Radius of the original disc  R
Mass of the original disc,

M  R 2
The disc with the cut portion is shown in the given figure:

R
Radius of the smaller disc is given 
2
2
R 1 M
Mass of the smaller disc is given as M       R 2 
2 4 4

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Let us suppose that O and O be the respective centres of the original disc and
the disc cut off from the original. As per definition of the centre of mass, the
centre of mass of the original disc is assumed to be concentrated at O , while
that of the smaller disc is assumed to be concentrated at O .
It is provided that:
R
OO 
2
After the smaller disc has been cut from the original disc, the remaining portion
left over after cutting is considered to be a system of two masses. The two
masses can be expressed as:

M
M  concentrated at O   M    concentrated at O
 4
(The negative sign in the above statement indicates that this portion has been
removed from the original disc.)
Let us suppose that x be the distance through which the centre of mass of the
remaining portion shifts from point O .
The relation between the centres of masses of two masses is given as:
m1r1  m 2r2
x
m1  m2

For the given system, it can be written as:

R
M  0  M   
x 2
M   M 

M R

x 4 2  MR  4  R
M 8 3M 6
M
4
(The negative sign in the above statement indicates that the centre of mass gets
shifted toward the left of point O .)

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The centre of gravity of the resulting flat body can be located from the original
centre of the body and opposite to the centre of the cut portion.

17. A meter stick is balanced on a knife edge at its centre. When two coins,
each of mass 5g are put one on top of the other at the 12cm mark, the
stick is found to be balanced at 45cm . What is the mass of the meter
stick?
Ans: Let us assume that W and W  be the respective weights of the meter stick
and the coin.

The mass of the meter stick is supposed to be concentrated at its mid-point, i.e.,
at the 50cm mark.
Mass of the meter stick is m
Mass of each coin is m  5g

When the coins are placed 12cm away from the end P , the centre of mass gets
shifted by 5cm from point R toward the end P . The centre of mass is located at
a distance of 45cm from point P .
The net torque will be thus, conserved for rotational equilibrium about point R .
This can be expressed by the equation,
10  g  45  12   mg  50  45  0

10  33
 m   66g
5
Therefore, the mass of the meter stick is 66g .

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 20

18. A solid sphere rolls down two different inclined planes of the same
heights but different angles of inclination.
(a) Will it reach the bottom with the same speed in each case?
Ans: Mass of the sphere  m
Height of the plane  h
Velocity of the sphere at the bottom of the plane is given as  v
At the top of the plane, the total energy of the sphere i.e., Potential energy
 P.E.  mgh
At the bottom of the plane, the sphere has both translational and rotational
kinetic energies which can be expressed as,
1 1
Therefore, total energy T.E.  mv2  I2
2 2
Using the law of conservation of energy, we can state that:
1 2 1 2
mv  I  mgh …… (1)
2 2
For a solid sphere, the moment of inertia about its centre can be given as,
2
I  mr 2
5
Therefore, equation (1) becomes:
1 2 1 2 2 2
mv   mr    mgh
2 2 5 

1 1 
 v2   r 2  2  gh
2 5 
But we have the formula,
v  r
1 2 1 2
v  v  gh
2 5

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 7
 v 2    gh
 10 

10
v gh
7
Therefore, the velocity of the sphere at the bottom depends only on height (h)
and acceleration due to gravity (g). Both values are constants and do not change.
Therefore, the velocity at the bottom remains the same from whichever inclined
plane the sphere is rolled.

(b) Will it take longer to roll down one plane than the other?
Ans: Let us consider two inclined planes with inclinations 1 and 2
respectively related as:
1  2

The acceleration generated in the sphere when it rolls down the plane inclined at
1 is:

gsin 1

The different forces acting on the sphere are shown in the given figure.

R 1 is the normal reaction to the sphere as shown in the above figure.

Similarly, the acceleration generated in the sphere when it rolls down the plane
inclined at  2 is:

g sin 2

The different forces that act on the sphere are shown in the given figure.

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R 2 is the normal reaction to the sphere as given in the figure.

1  2 , sin 2  sin 1 …… (1)

a 2  a1 …… (2)

Initial velocity of sphere, u  0

Final velocity of sphere, v  constant
Now, by using the first equation of motion, we can obtain the time of roll as:
v  u  at
1
t
a
For inclination of angle 1 :

1
t1 
a1

For inclination of angle  2 :

1
t2  …… (3)
a2

(c) If so, which one and why?

Ans: From equations (2) and (3), we obtain:
t 2  t1

Therefore, conclude that the sphere will take a longer time to reach the bottom
of the inclined plane having the smaller inclination.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 23

19. A hoop of radius 2m weighs 100kg . It rolls along a horizontal floor so
that its centre of mass has a speed of 20cm / s . How much work has to
be done to stop it?
Ans: Radius of the hoop is given as, r  2m
Mass of the hoop is, m  100kg

Velocity of the hoop is,

v  20cm / s  0.2m / s
Total energy of the hoop  Translational KE  Rotational KE
1 1
Er  mv2  I2
2 2
Moment of inertia of the hoop about its centre can be given as I  mr 2

E r  mv2   mr 2  2
1 1
2 2
But we have the formula, v  r
1 1
 E1  mv2  mr 22
2 2
1 1
 E1  mv2  mv2  mv2
2 2
The work needed to be done for halting the hoop is the same as the total energy
of the hoop.
Hence, required work to be done can be given as,

W  mv2  100   0.2   4J

2

20. The oxygen molecule has a mass of 5.30  1026 kg and a moment of
inertia of 1.94  1046 kgm2 about an axis through its centre
perpendicular to the lines joining the two atoms. Suppose the mean
speed of such a molecule in a gas is 500m / s and that its kinetic energy

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 24

 of rotation is two thirds of its kinetic energy of translation. Find the
average angular velocity of the molecule.
Ans: Given that,

Mass of an oxygen molecule is given as, m  5.30  1026 kg

Moment of inertia of oxygen molecule is given as, I  1.94  1046 kgm2

Velocity of the oxygen molecule is given as, v  500m / s

Let the separation between the two atoms of the oxygen molecule be 2r
m
Mass of each oxygen atom in the oxygen molecule 
2
Therefore, moment of inertia I , can be calculated as:

m 2 m 2
  r    r  mr
2

2 2

l
r
m

1.94  1046
  0.60  1010 m
5.36  10 26

It is provided that:
2
KE rot  KE trans
3
1 2 1
 I2   mv 2
2 3 2
2
 mr 22  mv 2
3

2 v
 
3 r

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 25

 2 500
 
3 0.6  1010

   6.80 1012 rad / s , which is the required average angular velocity.

21. A solid cylinder rolls up an inclined plane of angle of inclination 30 . At

the bottom of the inclined plane the centre of mass of the cylinder has a
speed of 5m / s . How far will the cylinder go up the plane? How long
will it take to return to the bottom?
Ans: A solid cylinder rolling up an inclination is pictured in the following
figure.

Initial velocity of the solid cylinder on the inclined plane, v  5m / s

Angle of inclination is 30
Height reached by the cylinder on the inclined plane  h
Energy of the cylinder on the inclined plane at point A :
KE rot  KE trans

1 1
 I2  mv2
2 2
Energy of the cylinder at point B  mgh

Let us use the law of conservation of energy, we can express:

1 2 1 2
I  mv  mgh
2 2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 26

 1
Moment of inertia of the solid cylinder is I  mr 2
2
11  1
  mr 2  2  mv2  mgh
2 2  2

1 1
 mr 22  mv2  mgh
4 2
1 1
 r 22  v2  gh
4 2
But we have the expression, v  r
1 1
 v2  v2  gh
4 2
3
 v2  gh
4
3 v2
h 
4 g

3 55
h   1.91m
4 9.8
In ABC ,
BC
sin  
AB
h
 sin30 
AB
1.91
AB   3.82m
0.5
Therefore, the cylinder will move 3.82m up the inclined plane.
For radius of gyration K , the velocity of the cylinder at the instance when it
rolls back to the bottom is given by the formula:

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 27

 1
  2

 2gh 
v 2 
 1  K 
 R2 
1
 2
 2gABsin  
v 2 
 1  K 
 R 2


R2
For the solid cylinder we can write K 2 
2
1
  2

 2gABsin  
v
1 
 1 
 2 
1
4 2
 v   gABsin  
3 
The time taken to return to the bottom can be given as:
AB
t
v
AB
t 1
4 2
 gABsin  
3 
1
 3AB  2
t  
 4gsin  
1
 11.46  2
t    0.764s
 19.6 

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 28

Therefore, the total time taken by the cylinder to return to the bottom is
 2  0.764  1.53s

Additional Exercise
22. As shown in figure, the two sides of a step ladder BA and CA are 1.6m
long and hinged at A . A rope DE , 0.5m is tied halfway up. A weight
40kg is suspended from a point F , 1.2m from B along the ladder BA .
Assuming the floor to be frictionless and neglecting the weight of the
ladder, find the tension in the rope and forces exerted by the floor on
the ladder. (Take g  9.8m / s 2 )

(Hint: Consider the equilibrium of each side of the ladder separately.)

Ans: The given situation can be depicted as follows:

N B  Force exerted on the ladder by the floor point B

N C  Force exerted on the ladder by the floor point C

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 29

T  Tension in the given rope
BA  CA  1.6m
DE  0.5m
BF  1.2m
Mass of the given weight, m  40kg

Draw a perpendicular line from A on the floor BC . This line intersects DE at

mid-point H .
In ABI and AIC are similar
BI  IC
Therefore, I is the mid-point of BC .
DE BC
BC  2  DE  1m
AF  BA  BF  0.4m …… (1)
It can be said that D is the mid-point of AB.
Therefore, we can express:
1
AD   BA  0.8m ……. (2)
2
Using equations (1) and (2), we get:
FE  0.4m
Therefore, F is the mid-point of AD .
FG DH and F is the mid-point of AD . Therefore, G will also be the mid-point
of AH .
AFG and ADH are similar triangles.
FG AF

DH AD

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 30

 FG 0.4 1
  
DH 0.8 2
1
 FG  DH
2
1
 FG   0.25  0.125m
2
In ADH we can state,

AH  AD 2  DH 2

 AH  0.82  0.252  0.75m

For translational equilibrium of the ladder, the upward force should be the same
as the downward force.
N C  N B  mg  392 …… (3)

For rotational equilibrium of the ladder, the net moment about A can be given
as:
  N B  0.5  40  9.8  0.125  N C  0.5  0

  NC  NB   0.5  49

 N C  N B  98 …… (4)

Solving equations (3) and (4), we can write:

N C  245N

N B  147N

For rotational equilibrium of the side AB, let us consider the moment about A.
 N B  BI  mg  FG  T  AG  0

 245  0.5  40  9.8  0.125  T  0.76  0

 0.76T  122.5  49
 T  96.7N , which is the required tension.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 31

23. A man stands on a rotating platform, with his arms stretched
horizontally holding a 5kg weight in each hand. The angular speed of
the platform is 30 revolutions per minute. The man then brings his
arms close to his body with the distance of each weight from the axis
changing from 90cm to 20cm . The moment of inertia of the man
together with the platform may be taken to be constant and equal to
7.6kgm2 .

(a) What is his new angular speed? (Neglect friction.)

Ans: Moment of inertia of the man-platform system is given as,

7.6kgm2

Moment of inertia when the man stretches his hands to a distance of 90 cm:

MIHandsStreched  2  mr 2

 MI HandsStreched  2  5   0.9 
2

 MIHandsStreched  8.1kgm2

Initial moment of inertia of the system can be given as,

Ii  7.6  8.1  15.7kgm2

Angular speed can be expressed as,

1  300rev / min

Angular momentum can be given as,

Li  Iii  15.7  30 …… (1)

Moment of inertia when the man folds his hands to a distance of 20 cm

becomes:

MIHands at 20cm  2mr 2

 MI Hands at 20cm  2  5  0.2   0.4kgm 2

2

Final moment of inertia is given as,

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 32

If  7.6  0.4  8kgm2

Final angular speed can be given as, f

Final angular momentum can be expressed as,

Lf  If f  0.79 …… (2)

From the conservation of angular momentum, we can write:

Iii  If f

15.7  30
f   58.88rev / min , which is the new angular speed.
8

(b) Is kinetic energy conserved in the process? If not, from where does the
change come about?
Ans: Kinetic energy is not conserved in the mentioned process. With the
decrease in the moment of inertia, there is an increase in kinetic energy. The
additional kinetic energy is generated from the work done by the man to fold his
hands toward himself.

24. A bullet of mass 10g and speed 500m / s is fired into a door and gets
embedded exactly at the centre of the door. The door is 1.0m wide and
weighs 12kg . It is hinged at one end and rotates about a vertical axis
practically without friction. Find the angular speed of the door just
after the bullet embeds into it. (Hint: The moment of inertia of the door
ML2
about the vertical axis at one end is .)
3
Ans: Given that,

Mass of the bullet is given as, m  10g  10  103 kg

Velocity of the bullet is given as, v  500m / s

Width of the door, L  1.0m

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 33

 1
Radius of the door, r  m
2
Mass of the door is given, M  12kg

Angular momentum transmitted by the bullet on the door:

  mvr

   100  103    500    2.5kgm2s1

1
2
Moment of inertia of the door can be given as:

ML2
I
3
1
 I   12  1  4kgm 2
2

3
But we have the relation,
  I
 2.5
   0.625rads1 , which is the required angular speed.
I 4

25. Two discs of moments of inertia I1 and I 2 about their respective axes
(normal to the disc and passing through the centre), and rotating with
angular speeds 1 and  2 are brought into contact face to face with
their axes of rotation coincident.
(a) What is the angular speed of the two-disc system?
Ans: Given that,
Moment of inertia of disc 1 is I1

Angular speed of disc 1 is 1

Moment of inertia of disc 2 is I 2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 34

Angular speed of disc 2 is  2

Angular momentum of disc 1 is L1  I11

Angular momentum of disc 2 is L 2  I22

Total initial angular momentum is Li  I11  I 22

When the two discs are joined together, their moments of inertia get summed up.
Moment of inertia of the system of two discs can be given as,
I  I1  I 2

Let  be the angular speed of the system.

Total final angular momentum is given as, Lf   I1  I2  

Let us use the law of conservation of angular momentum,

Li  L f

 I11  I22   I1  I2  

I11  I22
 , which is the required angular speed.
I1  I2

(b) Show that the kinetic energy of the combined system is less than the sum
of the initial kinetic energies of the two discs. How do you account for
this loss in energy? Take 1  2 .

1
Ans: Kinetic energy of disc 1 is given as, E1  I121
2
1
Kinetic energy of disc 2, E 2  I22 2
2

Total initial kinetic energy can be given as, Ei 

1
2
 I121  I222 

When the discs are joined, their moments of inertia get summed up.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 35

Moment of inertia of the system can be given as, I  I1  I 2

Angular speed of the system can be given as: 

1
Final kinetic energy Ef   I1  I2  2
2

 I   I   1 I   I  
2 2
1
 E f   I1  I 2   1 1 2 2    1 1 2 2
2  I1  I 2  2 I1  I 2

And Ei  E f

I   I  
2

 Ei   I121  I22 2   1 1 2 2
1
2 2  I1  I 2 

1 2 1 1 I 2121 1 I 2 22 2 1 2I1I 212

 Ei  I1 1  I2 2 
2
 
2 2 2  I1  I 2  2  I1  I 2  2  I1  I 2 

1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 
 Ei   I   I I 2
 I I 2
 I2 2  I1 1  I2 2  I1I211 
 I1  I2   2 2 1
2
1 2 1
2
1 2 2
2 2 2 
 Ei 
I1I 2
2  I1  I 2 
 12  2 2  212 

I I    2 
2

 Ei  1 2 1
2  I1  I 2 

All the quantities on right hand side are positive

Ei  E f  0

Ei  Ef

The loss of K.E. can be attributed to the frictional force that comes into play
when the two discs come in contact with each other.

26.
(a) Prove the theorem of perpendicular axes. (Hint: Square of the distance

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 36

 of a point  x, y  in the x–y plane from an axis through the origin
perpendicular to the plane is x 2  y 2 )

Ans: It is stated by the theorem of perpendicular axes states that the moment of
inertia of a planar body (lamina) about an axis perpendicular to its plane is equal
to the sum of its moments of inertia about two perpendicular axes concurrent
with perpendicular axis and lying in the plane of the body.
A physical body with centre O and a point mass m , in the x–y plane at (x, y) is
shown in the following figure.

Moment of inertia about x-axis can be given as, I x  mx 2

Moment of inertia about y-axis can be given as, I y  my2

 
2
Moment of inertia about z-axis can be given as, I z  m x 2  y2

I x  I y  mx 2  my 2  m  x 2  y 2 

 
2
 Ix  Iy  m x 2  y2

 I x  I y  Iz

Therefore, the theorem is proved.

(b) Prove the theorem of parallel axes.

(Hint: If the centre of mass is chosen to be the origin  miri  0 )

Ans: The theorem of parallel axes states that the moment of inertia of a body

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 37

about any axis is same as the sum of the moment of inertia of the body about a
parallel axis that passes through its centre of mass and the product of its mass
and the square of the distance between the two parallel axes.

Let us suppose that a rigid body is made up of n particles, having masses at

m1 ,m 2 ,m3 ,...,m n perpendicular distances r1 ,r2 ,r3 ,..., rn respectively from the
centre of mass O of the rigid body.
The moment of inertia about axis RS passing through the point O can be given
as:

I RS   i1 mi ri 2
n

The perpendicular distance of mass m i , from the axis

QP  a  ri

Therefore, the moment of inertia about axis QP can be given as:

n
IQP   mi  a  ri 
2

i 1

 IQP   mi  a 2  r 2i  2ari 
n

i 1

 IQP   mi  a   m r  m 2ar
n n n
2 2
i i i i
i 1 i 1 i 1

 IQP  IRS   mi  a 2   2 miari

n n

i 1 i 1

Now, at the centre of mass, the moment of inertia of all the particles about the

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 38

axis that passes through the centre of mass is zero, that is,
n
2 mi ari  0
i 1

Where, a  0

m r  0 i i

m
i 1
i M

M  Total mass of the rigid body

IQP  IRS  Ma 2

Therefore, the theorem is proved.

27. Prove the result that the velocity v of translation of a rolling body (like a
ring, disc, cylinder or sphere) at the bottom of an inclined plane of a
2gh
height h is given by v 2  using dynamical consideration (i.e.
 k2 
1  2 
 R 
by consideration of forces and torques). Note k is the radius of gyration
of the body about its symmetry axis, and R is the radius of the body.
The body starts from rest at the top of the plane.
Ans: A body rolling on an inclined plane of height h, is depicted in the given
figure:

m  Mass of the body

R  Radius of the body

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 39

K  Radius of gyration of the body
v  Translational velocity of the body
h  Height of the inclined plane
g  Acceleration due to gravity

Total energy at the top of the plane is given as,

E1  mgh

Total energy at the bottom of the plane can be given as,

E b  KE rot  KE trans

1 1
 Eb  I2  mv2
2 2
v
But I  mk 2 and  
R

2 v 
2
1 1
 E b  mk  2   mv 2
2 R  2
2
1 2 k 1
 E b  mv 2  mv 2
2 R 2

1 2 k2 
 E b  mv 1  2 
2  R 
From the law of conservation of energy, we can write:
ET  EB

1  k2 
 mgh  mv 2 1  2 
2  R 
2gh
v
 k2 
1  R 2 
 
Therefore, the given result is proved.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 40

28. A disc rotating about its axis with angular speed  0 is placed lightly
(without any translational push) on a perfectly frictionless table. The
radius of the disc is R . What are the linear velocities of the points A , B
and C on the disc shown in figure? Will the disc roll in the direction
indicated?

Ans: From the question we can infer that:

v A  R0 ,

v B  R0 ,

R
vC    0
2
The rolling of the disc will not take place.
Angular speed of the disc is given  0

Radius of the disc is given  R

Let us use the relation for linear velocity, v  0 R

For point A we can write:

v A  R0 in the direction tangential to the right

For point B we can write:

v B  R0 in the direction tangential to the left

For point C it can be written as:

R
vC    0 in the direction same as that of v A .
2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 41

The directions of motion of points A , B , and C on the disc are depicted in the
following figure

Because the disc is placed on a frictionless table, the disc will not roll. This is
due to the presence of friction is essential for the rolling of a body.

29. Explain why friction is necessary to make the disc in figure given roll in
the direction indicated.

(a) Give the direction of frictional force at B, and the sense of frictional
torque, before perfect rolling begins.
Ans: To roll the given disc, some torque is necessary. As per the definition of
torque, the rotating force must be tangential to the disc. Since the frictional force
at point B is along the tangential force at point A , a frictional force is necessary
for making the disc roll.
Force of friction will act in the opposite direction to the direction of velocity at
point B . The direction of linear velocity at point B can be pointed tangentially
leftward. Therefore, frictional force will act tangentially rightward. The
frictional torque before the start of perfect rolling is perpendicular to the plane
of the disc in the outward direction.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 42

(b) What is the force of friction after perfect rolling begins?
Ans: Since frictional force will act opposite to the direction of velocity at point
B , perfect rolling will start when the velocity at that point becomes equal to
zero. This will make the frictional force that acts on the disc as zero.

30. A solid disc and a ring, both of radius 10cm are placed on a horizontal
table simultaneously, with initial angular speed equal to 10 rads 1 .
Which of the two will start to roll earlier? The co-efficient of kinetic
friction is  k  0.2 .

Ans: Given that,

Radii of the ring and the disc are given as, r = 10 cm = 0.1 m
Initial angular speed is given, u  0
Coefficient of kinetic friction is,  k  0.2

Initial velocity of both the objects, u  0

Motion of the two objects is a result of frictional force. As per Newton’s second
law of motion,
we have frictional force, f  ma
 k mg  ma

Where,
a  Acceleration produced in the objects
m  Mass
a   k g …… (1)

From the first equation of motion, the final velocity of the objects can be
obtained as:
v  u  at
 v  0   k gt

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 43

v   k gt …... (2)

The torque applied by the frictional force will act in perpendicularly outward
direction and cause reduction in the initial angular speed.
Torque,   I
  Angular acceleration
 k mgr  I

k mgr
 …… (3)
I
Let us use the first equation of rotational motion to obtain the final angular
speed:
  0  t

k mgr
   0  t …… (4)
I
Rolling starts when linear velocity, v  r

  mgrt 
v  r  0  k  …… (5)
 I 

Equating equations (2) and (5), we can write:

  mgrt 
 k gt  r  0  k 
 I 

  mgrt 
  k gt  r  0  k  …… (6)
 I 

For the ring:

I  mr 2
  mgrt 
 k gt  r  0  k 2 
 mr 

 k gt  r0   k gt

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 44

 2 k gt  r0

r0
 tr 
2 k g

0.1 10  3.14
 tr   0.80s …… (7)
2  0.2  9.8
For the disc:
1
I  mr 2
2
 k gmr 2 t d
 k gt d  r0 
1 2
mr
2
 k gt d
  k gt d  r0 
1
2
  k gt d  r0  2 k gt d

 3 k gt d  r0

r0
td 
3 k g

0.1 10  3.14
 td   0.53s …… (8)
3  0.2  9.8
Since, t d  t r the disc will start rolling before the ring.

31. A cylinder of mass 10kg and radius 15cm is rolling perfectly on a plane
of inclination 30 . The coefficient of static friction  k  0.25

(a) How much is the force of friction acting on the cylinder?

Ans: Given that,
Mass of the cylinder is given as, m  10kg

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 45

Radius of the cylinder is given as, r  15cm  0.15m
Co-efficient of kinetic friction  k  0.25

Angle of inclination is given as,   30

Moment of inertia of a solid cylinder about its geometric axis is,
1
I  mr 2
2
The various forces acting on the cylinder are depicted in the given figure:

The acceleration of the cylinder is given as:

mg sin 
a
I
m 2
r
mgsin  2
a   gsin 30
mr 2 3
m 2
2r
2
 a   9.8  0.5  3.27m / s 2
3
Let us use Newton’s second law of motion, we can express net force as:
f net  ma

mgsin30  f  ma

 f  mgsin30  ma

 f  10  9.8  0.5  10  3.27

 f  49  32.7  16.3N , which is the frictional force.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 46

(b) What is the work done against friction during rolling?
Ans: During rolling, the instantaneous point of contact with the plane will come
to rest. Therefore, the work done against frictional force will be zero.

(c) If the inclination of the plane is increased, at what value of angle does
the cylinder begin to skid, and not roll perfectly?
Ans: For rolling without skidding, we have the formula:
1
  tan 
3
 tan   3  3  0.25  0.75

 tan 1 0.75  36.87 , which is the required value of angle.

32. Read each statement below carefully, and state, with reasons, if it is true
or false;
(a) During rolling, the force of friction acts in the same direction as the
direction of motion of the CM of the body.
Ans: False.
Frictional force acts in the opposite direction of motion of the centre of mass of
a body. In the case of rolling, the direct point of motion of the centre of mass is
in backward direction. Therefore, frictional force acts in the forward direction.

(b) The instantaneous speed of the point of contact during rolling is zero.
Ans: True.
Rolling can be considered as the rotation of a body about an axis that passes
through the point of contact of the body with the ground. Therefore, its
instantaneous speed is zero.

(c) The instantaneous acceleration of the point of contact during rolling is

zero.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 47

Ans: False.
When a body is rolling, its instantaneous acceleration is not equal to zero. It has
some value.

(d) For perfect rolling motion, work done against friction is zero.
Ans: True.
When perfect rolling begins, the frictional force that acts at the lowermost point
becomes zero. Therefore, the work done against friction is also zero.

(e) A wheel moving down a perfectly frictionless inclined plane will

undergo slipping (not rolling) motion.
Ans: True.
The rolling of a body occurs when a frictional force will act between the body
and the surface. This frictional force will give the torque necessary for rolling.
When the frictional force is not present, the body slips from the inclined plane
under the effect of its own weight.

33. Separation of Motion of a system of particles into motion of the centre

of mass and motion about the centre of mass:

(a) Show pi  pi  mi V Where p i is the momentum of the i th particle (of

mass m i ) and p i  m i v i . Note v i is the velocity of the i th particle
relative to the centre of mass. Also, prove using the definition of the
centre of mass  p i  0 .
i

Ans: Let us take a system of i moving particles.

Mass of the i th particle  mi

Velocity of the i th particle  vi

Therefore, momentum of the i th particle, pi  m i vi

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 48

Velocity of the centre of mass is V

The velocity of the i th particle with respect to the centre of mass of the system is
given as: vi  vi  V …… (1)

Multiplying m i throughout equation (1),

we can write:

mi vi  mi vi  mi V

pi  pi  mi V

Where,

pi  mi vi is the Momentum of the i th particle with respect to the centre of mass
of the system.

Hence, pi  pi  mi V

We have the formula: pi  mi vi

Taking the summation of momentum of all the particles with respect to the
centre of mass of the system, we can write:

dri
p   m v   m
i
r
i
i i
i
i
dt

Where

ri is the position vector of i th particle with respect to the centre of mass

dri
vi 
dt
As per the definition of the centre of mass, we have:

m v   0
i
i i

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 49

 dri
  mi 0
i dt

p   0
i
i

Hence proved.

1
(b) Show K  K  MV 2 Where K is the total kinetic energy of the system
2
of particles, K is the total kinetic energy of the system when the
particle velocities are taken with respect to the centre of mass and
1
MV 2 is the kinetic energy of the translation of the system as a whole
2
(i.e. of the centre of mass motion of the system). The result has been
used in Sec. 7.14.

Ans: We have the formula for velocity of the i th particle as:

vi  vi  V

m v  m v   m V
i i i i i

Taking the dot product of equation (2) with itself, we can write:

 m v  m v    m  v   V  m  v   v 
i
i f
i
i i
i
i f
i
i i

M 2  vi 2  M 2  vi 2  M 2  vi vi  M 2  vivi  M 2 V 2
i i i i

Now, for the centre of mass of the system of particles,  v v

i
i i   vivi ,
i

M 2  v12  M 2  v12  M 2 V 2
i i

1 1 1
M v12  M v12  MV2
2 i 2 i 2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 50

 1
K  K  MV 2
2
Where,
1
K  M v12 is the total kinetic energy of the system of particles
2 i

1
K  M v12 is the total kinetic energy of the system of particles with respect
2 i

to the centre of mass

1
MV 2 is the kinetic energy of the translation of the system as a whole.
2

(c) Show L  L  R  MV , Where L   ri  pi is the angular momentum

of the system about the centre of mass with velocities taken relative to
the centre of mass. Remember ri  ri  R rest of the notation is the
standard notation used in the chapter. Note L and R  MV can be said
to be angular momenta, respectively, about and of the centre of mass of
the system of particles.

Ans: Position vector of the i th particle with respect to origin can be given  ri

Position vector of the i th particle with respect to the centre of mass is given  ri

With respect to the origin the position vector of the centre of mass  R
It is provided that:
ri  ri  R

ri  ri  R

We have the following relation from part (a),

pi  pi  mi V

Taking the cross product of this relation by ri we can write:

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 51

 r  p   r  p   r  m V
i
i i
i
i i
i
i i

L    ri  R   pi    ri  R   mi V
i i

 L   ri  pi   R  pi   ri  mi V   R  mi V

i i i i

 L  L   R i  pi   ri  mi V   R  mi V
i i i

where,

 
R   pi  0 and   ri  MV  0
i  i 

Hence, m i
i M

L  L  R  MV
Hence proved.

(d) Show
dL
dt
  ri 
i
d 
dt
Pi . Further, show that
dL
dt
 
 ext where ext is

the sum of all external torques acting on the system about the centre of
mass. (Hint: Use the definition of centre of mass and Newton’s Third
Law. Assume the internal forces between any two particles act along the
line joining the particles.)
Ans: We have the following relation:

L   ri   pi
i

dL d  
   ri  pi 
dt dt  i 


dL d 
dt dt  i 

   ri   pi   ri 
i
d 
dt
pi  
Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 52

dL d 
dt dt  i

   mi ri   vi   ri 
 i
d 
dt
pi  
Where,

ri is the position vector with respect to the centre of mass of the system of
particles.

 m r  0
i
i i

dL
dt
  ri 
i
d 
dt
pi  
We have the following relation:


dL
dt
  ri  mi
i
d 
dt
vi  
Where,
d 
dt
 
vi is the rate of change of velocity of the i th particle with respect to the

centre of mass of the system.

Therefore, according to Newton’s third law of motion, we can express:

mi
d 
dt
vi  is the external force acting on the i th particle.

    r   m dt  v    
d
i i.e., i i i ext is the external torque acting on the system
i ext i

as a whole.
dL
Hence proved that  ext .
dt

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 53