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Advanced Level Examination

Unit 02 PHYSICS
Part Mechanics
VII
Prepared by : Samitha Rathnayake

Rotational (Angular) motion

O
The motion of an object about a point on itself or an axis going through itself is known as
“Rotational Motion”.

Rigid objects

An object whose particles do not change their relative positions in a motion is known as a
rigid object.

Angular displacement

The angular displacement during a certain time duration is the angle through
O
which the object rotates during that time.
• Since angular displacement does not obey the ‘commutative law of addition’ of vectors, it
is not considered as a vector. 
• The SI unit of angular displacement is ‘rad’ and it’s a dimensionless quantity. t = t
• Every point on a rigid object has the same angular displacement within the same time
duration.
t=0
Angular velocity (Angular frequency -  )

Angular velocity is the rate of change of angular displacement.

If the change in the angular displacement during a time period t is ,

 rad
  s
t

rad s–1

• The equation  = gives the average angular velocity during the time interval t.
t

• The equation  = t when t 0 gives the instantaneous angular velocity.

• Since every point on a rigid object has the same angular displacement within the same time duration, the angular
velocity (average/instantaneous) is equal for every point.

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 Direction of angular velocity

The direction of the angular velocity of an object is always perpendicular to its plane of
rotation. It could be found using the right hand as shown in the diagram.

When the thumb of right hand is kept perpendicular to the other fingers and when those
Right
fingers are kept in the direction of rotation, the thumb points in the direction of the angular hand
velocity.
Relationship between linear velocity and angular velocity.

When t becomes extremely small t  0), s also becomes small. Then the arc length s
O
could be considered as a straight line.
s = r 
s = r 

s  s
r t  0 t = t
t t t=0

Here,

=  is the instantaneous angular velocity
t
s
= v is the instantaneous tangential velocity (It is called the tangential velocity because it lies along the
t
tangent drawn to the circular arc)

V = r

• Even though  is same for all the particles in a rigid body, the tangential velocity changes depending on r.

Time period (T)

The time taken for a rotating object to complete one rotation is defined as the time period.
 2
 = and since the angle rotated within one rotation is 2 ,  = T
t
Frequency

The number of rotations made per second is the frequency.

The number of rotations per time period = 1
1
The number rotations per second = T

1
f = s
T

rev s–1
• Frequency is given by the unit rev s-1 (revolutions per second).
• When it’s given as ‘revolutions per minute’ (rpm), dividing it by 60 gives the f value.

2 1
•  =   = 2  ×   = 2 f
T T

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 Angular acceleration ()

The rate of change of angular velocity is defined as angular acceleration.

If the change in angular velocity in a time period t is ,

 rad s–1

 
t s

rad s–2

•  = gives the average angular acceleration in the time period t.
t

•  = , t  0 gives the instantaneous angular acceleration.
t

Direction of angular acceleration


The direction of  in  = is the direction of change of angular velocity.
t
Case I: When the plane of rotation doesn’t change.

   = 
t –
2  1
= t

2  1  Direction of 
t = t

Case II: When the plane of rotation changes.


   =
t 
 
2  1
= t

2  1  Direction of 
= t
t

Tangential acceleration (at)

v 
V = r   v = r = r , t  0
t t
v
Here = at is the rate of change of tangential velocity or the tangential acceleration.
t

= is the angular acceleration.
t
at = r 

• at is a linear acceleration and its unit is ms-2

• For a linear acceleration to exist, an angular acceleration must exist.

Centripetal (radial) acceleration (ar)

v2
ar = = r 2
r

• ar = v

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• A centripetal acceleration exists whether an angular acceleration exists or not.
If there is an angular acceleration, then ar value changes. If angular acceleration is zero, then ar is constant.
• Centripetal acceleration is also a linear acceleration and its unit is ms-2

Resultant linear acceleration of a particle on a rotating object

r a = a r2 + a t 2
a
ar ar
Tan  = at

at

Equations of rotational motion

 (t = t) o - Angular velocity at the initial moment

 - Angular velocity at the final moment
   - Angular acceleration
 - Angular displacement
o
t - Time passed
(t = 0)
change in angular velocity
Angular acceleration =
time passed
–
 =   = 0 +  t 
t

Average angular velocity = A
t

If the acceleration is constant, the average angular velocity is also given by,

Average angular velocity = B
2

A = B

 = ( 
2
)t


–
By substituting from  in  By substituting t =  from  in 

1
 = 0t +  t2  2  02 + 2  
2

• The angular acceleration of the object should be a constant during the time that we are applying the above
equation.

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 Rolling motion

Rolling motion can be considered as a combination of both translational and rotational motions.

Velocity


v v1 v + v1

v1
v1 R
v v v v v
v O
v1 v1
P
v v1 Plane v – v1
v 11
Pure translational motion Pure rotational motion
Rolling motion
(Linear velocity = v) (Angular velocity =  ) v1 = R

• The velocity of an object rolling without slipping at the point P, is equal to the velocity of the surface it touches.

v – v1 = v11 if the surface is at rest, v – v1 = 0  v = v1

For an object rolling (without slipping) on a stationary plane, the velocity of the center gives the translational
velocity while dividing it by the radius gives the angular velocity.
jD;a; p,s;h

Acceleration


a at a + at
ar
at
R
a a
ar a
a ar
O

ar at
P a – at
a at
plane a1
Pure translational motion Pure rotational motion
(Linear acceleration = a) (Angular acceleration -) Rolling motion
at = R

• The centripetal acceleration (ar) doesn’t affect the scenario considered.

• The acceleration of an object rolling without slipping at the point P, is equal to the acceleration of the surface it
touches.
a  at = a1
If the surface doesn’t accelerate, a  at = 0  a = at

For an object rolling (without slipping) on a non-accelerating plane, the acceleration of the center gives the
translational acceleration while dividing it by the radius gives the angular acceleration.

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 Inertia

Any object is unwilling to change its current form of motion. This property is called inertia. This is of two types.

1. Linear inertia 2. Rotational inertia

The unwilling of an object to change its current The unwilling of an object to change its current
linear motion is called linear inertia and is rotational motion is called rotational inertia and is
quantiatively measured by inertial mass. quantitatively measured by moment of inertia

Moment of inertia of a particle

m
The moment of inertia of a particle around an axis of rotation is defined as the product of
the mass of the particle and square of the perpendicular distance from the particle to the r
axis of rotation.

• Moment of inertia is a scalar quantity and ML2 are its dimensions.

I = m r2
kg m2 kg m2

Moment of inertia of a system of particles

m1
In oder to obtain the moment of inertia of a system of particles around an axis of
rotation, find the moment of inertia of each particle around that axis r1
m3
separately and take the sum of them.
r2
r3
m2
I = m1r12 + m2r22 +m3r32 + – – – –

I = mr2

• Moment of inertia of a system of particles is depend on

i. The mass of the particles and
ii. The distance to the particles from the axis of rotation (distribution of particles)

Moment of inertia of several objects

I = mr2
1. If the moment of inertia around an axis perpendicular to its plane passing
through the center of a thin circular ring with mass m and radius r is I,

2. If the moment of inertia around its axis of a thin hollow cylinder

(without lids) with mass m and radius r is I, I = mr2

3. If the moment of inertia around an axis perpendicular to the length of the rod 1
I= m l2
3
passing through one end of a uniform straight rod with mass m and length l
is I,

1
4. If the moment of inertia around an axis perpendicular to the length of the rod I= m l2
12
passing through the center of a uniform straight rod with mass m and length
l is I,

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I = mr2
5. If the moment of inertia of a uniform circular plate of mass “m” and radius “r”
1
about an axis perpendicular to its plane though its center is I, I = 2 mr2

6. If the moment of inertia of a uniform solid cylinder of mass “m” and radius “r”
about its axis is I, 1
I= mr2
2

7. If the moment of inertia of a uniform hollow sphere of mass “m” and radius “r”
about a diameter is I, 2
I= mr2
3

8. If the moment of inertia of a uniform solid sphere of mass “m” and radius “r”
about a diameter is I, 2
I= mr2
5

Applications of moment of inertia

1. Power wheels in a motor engine.

These wheels are a made such that (the mass of the wheel to be concentrated as further away from the rotational
axis as possible) the moment of inertia is increased. The power generated through the operation of pistons is
firstly given to this power wheels and they are made to rotate. Since the moment of inertia is high, it is difficult
to get them to rotate at first. But once they are rotating it is difficult to be stopped as well. Even in the periodicals
when the pistons do not generate power, since the wheels provide the power required to the motion of the vehicle,
the motion can be kept smoothly and continuously.
2. Having a big wheel inside some toy cars.
First the car is dragged on the ground and rotational kinetic energy is provided to that wheel. Since the moment
of inertia of the wheel is high, the kinetic energy stored in the wheel is also high. Once the car is released, the
rotational kinetic energy in the wheel is converted into the translational kinetic energy.
3. The person walking a tight rope on circuses carries a long pole.
The majority of mass in this pole is concentrated at its ends. There by the moment of inertia of the performer,
about the tight rope is increased. Therefore since the resistance to rotation is high, it is easy for the performer to
maintain his balance on the tight rope.
4. Spreading the hands to either side, while walking on a foot - bridge.
Similar principle as in instance 3 above is used.
5. Animals like monkeys and squirrels having a long tail.
The moment of lnertia about the rotating axis can be increased by using the tail. This helps these animals to
maintain their balance in difference heights.
6. The batting end of an elle sitck is made heavier by filling with sand like material
This is used to increase the moment of inertia of the bat. Then the rotational kinetic energy of the moving bat is
increased. The translational kinetic energy of the ball which hits the bat, could be increased by this manner.
7. Short distance runners folding their legs upto their knees as much as possible.
The athlete reduces the moment of inertia about their thigh using this method and helps them bring their foot
back on to the track as soon as possible.
8. The hooves (ends of legs) of fast running animals being thinner.
This enables them to reduce the moment of inertia of the legs about the rotational axis.

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 Angular momentum (L)
O
The angular momentum of a particle rotating about a given axis is defined as the moment of the
linear momentum about the rotating axis.

P = mv
V
m
L = P×r  L = mv × r
ButV = r
L = mr × r = m r2
Here mr2 = I is the moment of inertia of the particle about the rotating axis.
L = I

• Units of angular momentum is kgm2 s–1 (kgm2 rad s–1) and dimensions are ML2 T–1.

• Angular momentum is a vector, and its direction is the direction of the angular velocity.
( The direction of angular velocity is obtained through the right hand rule.)

Rate of change of angular momentum

L P
L = P × r  L = P × r  t = ×r
t
P
According to Newtons second Law, = F is the external unbalanced force.
t
L
 = F×r
t

Here F × r =  is the external unbalanced torque.

L
= 
t

L L
• t =  is obtained only when the SI units are used. Generally,  . This result is known as
t

Newton's second law for rotational motion. It states that, " The rate of change of angular momentum in a
particular direction is proportional to the external unbalanced torque acted along the same direction."
L 
• L = I  L = I    = I.
t t

L 
Here =  and = 
t t

  = I

•  = I  equation is similar to F = ma in linear motion. Therfore when applying the equation, you should,
i. select an object ii. select a direction
To obtain  , all external torques acting on the object should be resolved to the direction considerd.

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 Angular impulse - (J)

Using Newton's second law for rotational motion.

L
 =   × t = L
t

The product of the external unbalanced torque and the small time of action of the torque, is called the angular
impulse.
 × t = L
}

J = L

• Angular impulse is equal to the change in the angular momentum.

• Angular impulse is a vector and its direction is the direction of the external unbalanced torque or the direction of
the change in angular momentum.

• The angular impulse could be depicted using the area under the curve in a graph of external unbalanced torque
against time. 

Area = × t = L = J

t
t

Law of conservation of angular momentum

L
If  =
t
  = 0 then L = 0

" If there is no external unbalanced torque acting on a rotating object or a system of objects in a certain direction
around a certain axis, the angular momentum along that direction around that axis remains unchanged."

• Since the above law is related to vectors, to be applied a direction (where an external unbalanced torque is not
acting) should be chosen.

Applications of law of conservation of angular momentum

Acording to the law of conservation of angular momentum, if L = 0. Then L = Ishould remain constant.
Therefore if I increases should decreases while if I decreaies  should increase.

1. A person holding considerably heavy weights on his hands, sitting on a smooth

rotating chair seems to increase his rotating speed once his hands are folded. This
happens when is increased as I is decreased to keep L a constant.

2. An athlete rotating on ice seems to increase her rotating speed once her hands are
folded. This is due to  is increased when I is decreased to keep L a constant.

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3. A diver seems to increase his rotating speed once he folds his body during the jump.
This too is due to  increases when I is decreased to keep L a constant.

• Since angular momentum is a vector, systems try to conserve its direction as well.

4. As shown in the figure, when king coconut is rotated about a vertical axis and released,
in order to conserve its angular momentum about the vertical axis, the coconut touches  Angular
the ground such that the axis is vertical. Since the bottom most part of the coconut momentum s
vector
reaches the ground first, it will not break.

5. Maintaining the balance when riding a bicycle, balancing a rotating hand drum on a pole, and targeting a
bullet shot with a rotation (once it is released from the gun) are easy because the system tries to conserve the
direction of the angular momentum vector

6. As shown in figure 1, A rotating bicycle wheel is handed to a student L L

seated on a stationary rotating chair. The angular momentum of the x y
wheel is L. After a little, once the student turns the wheel upside down y x
L1
of in figure 2, the chair starts to rotate in the direction opposite to that
of the wheel. This happens because the system tries to conserve its
initial magnitude and direction of the angular momentum.
If the angular momentum of the chair with the student is L1,
Figure (1) Figure (2)
 Using the conservation of angular momentum,

L = L1 - L  L1 = 2 L

Work done by a torque

When an object makes an angular displacement under a torque, it is said to do work. The magnitude of the work done
is equal to the product of the magnitude of the torque and angular displacement.

W = 


 J Nm rad

• Torque is not measured in Joules

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 Rotational kinetic energy

The kinetic energy gained by an object due to the rotational motion is called rotational kinetic energy.

I I
0  
 

Figure shows how an object initially at rest, with a moment of inertia I about its rotational axis obtains a angular
displacement when a constant torque  is acted upon it.

The rotational kinetic energy = Work done by  torque

attained by the object
= × 

But  = I  and =
I

Further more,  = + 2 

 1
  = 0 + 2 I = I
2

1
Rotational kinetic energy = I
2

• The work done by the resultant torque on an object is equal to the change in rotational kinetic energy of the
object.

• E = ½ I 2 • E = ½ I 2
I2 2
= ½ I  × =½ I
L2
E = ½ L E =
2I

Here L is the angular momentum.

• Rolling


The total kinetic energy of a rolling object is equal to the sum of its translational kinetic
v
energy and rotational kinetic energy.

1 1
E = mv2 + I
2 2

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 Power of a torque

w
P =
t
If the w work above is done by a torque, w =  

 
 P =  × here =  is the angular velocity.
t t

P = 

When an object is rotating with  angular velocity under a  torque, the efficiency of the work done by the torque or
the power of the torque is given by the above equation.

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 Exercises

01. Find the angular velocity and the linear velocity of an object which is on the equator, take the radius of the
earth as 6400 km.

02. Find the angular velocity of

i. The second hand ii. The minute hand iii. The hour hand
of an analog clock runs smoothly.

03. An electric fan was rotating at a rate of 10 revolutions per second. It stopped after 10 s at a constant angular
deceleration due to a disconnection of electricity. Find the angular deceleration of the fan.

04. A wheel has a constant angular acceleration of 3 rad s-2. It undergoes an angular displacement of 120 rad in a
particular time period of 4 s. If the motion was started from rest, how long has the wheel been rotating up to
the beginning of that time period?

05. A bicycle wheel which is being rotated by an external torque has an angular acceleration of 3 rad s-2. The
angular position of a point on the circumference of the wheel is taken as  = 0. The wheel was at rest in the
beginning. Find the angular displacement and the angular velocity of this point after 2 s.
If the radius of the above wheel is 0.5m find the tangential speed, tangential and centripetal accelerations of
a point on the circumference after 2 s.

06. A wheel which was at rest increases its rotational speed up to 3000 rpm within 20 s. What is the angular
acceleration of the wheel? How many turns has it been rotated within this time period?

07. A turntable rotates at 33 rpm initially and it comes to rest after 20 s.

i. Find the angular acceleration of the turntable considering it to be uniform.
ii. How many turns has it rotated before stopping?
iii. What is the initial linear speed of an insect who is at a distance of 14 cm from the centre of
rotation of the turntable.
iv. What is the tangential acceleration of the insect?

08. A wheel which starts from rest rotates about its axis under a uniform angular acceleration. The wheel rotates
at a rate of 10 rev s-1 at some moment in time. After 60 turns from that point it is at 15 rev s-1. Calculate
i. The angular acceleration of the wheel
ii. The time it took to obtain 10revs-1 rate
iii. The number of turns it had rotated from begining when it gains a rate of 10 rev s-1

09. A flywheel is decelerating due to the frictional torque. Find its rotational speed at the end of the second
minute if its rotational speed is 0.9 of its initial speed of 250 rpm at the end of the first minute.

10. A wheel which has a diameter of 40 cm is subjected to an acceleration from 80 rpm to 300 rpm within 3.6 s
of time. Find,
i. The angular acceleration of the wheel
ii. The tangential and centripetal components of the acceleration of a point which is on the circumference
of the wheel, 2 s after acceleration starts.

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11. Consider a flywheel which is rotating clockwise as depicted in the figure. It has an angular velocity of
2 rad s-1 at t =0 and the line AB is at = 0 position. The flywheel is rotating under an angular deceleration of
– 0.25 rad s-2.
–1
2 rads
i. Find the maximum angular displacement towards + direction
considering clockwise as +
ii. Find the time it will take for  =  10 rad. (What is the physical
meaning of the negative answer ) =0
A B
iii. Plot the variation of from t = 0 to  = 10 rad and mark the points
regarding to the parts (i) and (ii)

12. The wheel depicted in the figure has 8 equispaced bars. The radius of the wheel is
30 m and it rotates at a constant rate of 2.5 rev s-1 around its axis. An arrow of length
20cm needs to be shot through the wheel without touching any bars. Calculate the
minimum velocity that the arrow should have. Consider the bars and the arrow to
be very thin.

13. The figure depicts an old method which is used to measure the velocity of light.

Light
beam
Light Mirror
source perpendicular
to light beam

Rotating
slotted wheel

A ray of light which travels through the space between two slots of a rotating slotted wheel gets reflected by
a plane mirror which is kept 500 m away from the wheel just enough so it can travel through the next space
between slots. The velocity of light was measured as 3 × 105 km s–1 by using a wheel which has 500 slots along
its circumference and 5 cm radius. Find the uniform angular velocity of the wheel and the linear velocity of a
point which is on the circumference.

14. In the figure, wheel A has a radius of 10 cm and the wheel B has a
radius of 25 cm. A starts from rest and rotates with an angular
acceleration of 1.6 rad s–2 . Find the time it takes for B to achieve
100 rpm. Assume that the belt does not slip.
A
15. The wheels of a car undergoes 55 revolutions under deceleration B
–1 –1
and its speed was reduced to 55 km h from 80 km h . The diameter
of a wheel is 1 m. Find the angular acceleration of the wheels and the time it takes for the car to stop if the
deceleration is continued.

16. A cylinder of radius R is kept on a rough fixed horizontal surface. A rough rod
which is kept on the cylinder is moved at a speed of V. Find the angular V
velocity of the cylinder and the linear velocity of its centre assuming that it R
does not slip from any point.

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17. Find the angular velocity and the linear velocity of the centre of a cylinder of V1
radius R which is placed between two parallel rods which are moving
towards R

i. the same direction V2

ii. opposite directions at speeds V1 and V2 . Assume that the cylinder
does not slip between the rods.
18. Four small spheres of mass M are fixed onto the vertices of a light square frame which has sides 'a' each in
length. Find the moment of inertia of the system about an axis which is through a mass perpendicular to the
frame.

19. Find the moment of inertia of a uniform metre rule of mass 0.5 kg about an axis which perpendicular to the rule
and goes through the 20 cm mark. Consider the metre ruler as a thin rod.

20. Two lids mass m and radius r each are attached to a hollow cylinder of mass m and radius r. Find the moment
of inertia of the system about the axis of the cylinder.

21. The masses and the position coordinates of four particles are given below.

50 g : x = 2 cm , y = 2 cm
25 g : x = 0 , y = 4 cm
25 g : x = –3 cm , y = –3 cm
30 g : x = –2 cm , y = 4 cm
Find the moment of inertia of the system about
i. the x axis
ii. the y axis
iii. the z axis

22. A mass of 2 kg which attached to a string of length 0.5 m rotates about the end of the string along a circular
path at an angular velocity of 10 rad s–1 .
Find the angular momentum of the mass about the axis of rotation.

23. The average distance between the earth and the moon is 3.84 × 105 km. It takes 27.3 days for the moon to go
around the earth once. Find the angular momentum of the moon about earth taking the mass of the moon as
7.3 × 1022 kg.

24. Show that the angular momentum of the conical pendulum depicted in the figure about the vertical axis
through A can be written as
A
m2 g l3 Sin4  
L= Cos 
l

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25. Two masses m1 and m2 are attached to the ends of a light straight rod. The system is rotated at constant 
angular velocity about an axis perpendicular to the rod and through the centre of mass of the system. Show
that the angular momentum of the system can be written as l2 .
m1 m2
Here  =
m1 + m2

26. Find the angular momentum of the system depicted in the figure about
the axis of the pulley. m1 = 3 kg and m2 = 1 kg. The radius of the pulley is
0.3 m and its moment of inertia about its axis is 0.14 kg m2 . The system
moves at a linear velocity of 2 ms–1.

27. A flywheel which has a moment of inertia 80 kg m2 is subjected to a uniform deceleration when it was rotating
at a rate of 6000 rad s–1. It was stopped in 30 seconds. Find the torque used in deceleration.

28. The moment of inertia of a wheel of mass 0.5 kg about its axis is 0.05 kgm? It was decelerated using a couple
of 0.26 Nm when it was rotating at a rate of 30 times per second. How many times does the wheel rotate
before coming to rest.

29. A heavy flywheel which has a moment of inertia 0.3 kg m2 is mounted to axle of radius 0.01 m which has a
negligible mass in comparision with the fly wheel. Neglect the friction. Find,
i. The angular acceleration of the flywheel when a tangential force of 40 N is applied on the axle.
ii. The angular velocity of the flywheel after 10 s from rest.

30. The radius and mass of the uniform circular disc depicted in the figure are 20 cm and
2.5 kg respectively. The disc rotates smoothly about an axis through its centre
which is perpendicular to the disc's plane. An object of mass 1.2 kg is attached to an
inelastic light string which is wound around the circumference of the disc. Find,
i. Acceleration of the object.
ii. Angular acceleration of the disc.
iii. The tension of the string.
1
Assume that the string does not slip. ( I = mr2)
2

31. A wheel which has a 1 m diameter can rotate about a horizontal axis (which goes through its centre) without
friction. The moment of inertia of the wheel around the axis is 5 kg m2 . A rope which is wrapped around the
circumferences of the wheel is subjected to a tension of 20 N and it is used to accelerate the wheel. The wheel
is released at t = 0 from rest. Find,
i. The angular acceleration of the wheel.
ii. The angular velocity of the wheel when t = 3 s.
iii. The length of the unwrapped rope within the first 3 s.

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32. An object of mass 2.0 kg which is attached to a pulley of radius 0.2 m is
kept on a horizontal surface and pulled with a uniform force of P = 3.0 N. P
The moment of inertia of the pully around its axis of rotation is
0.050 kg m2. Find the angular acceleration of the pulley considering that
the pulley rotates without friction and the string does not slip on the pulley.

33. An object 'm' of mass 12 kg is attached to a string which is wrapped around a pulley P
named P. The radius of the pulley is 10 cm. The mass is released to move on the
inclined surface without friction at an acceleration of 2 m s–2 . Consider that the
rotation of the pulley is also frictionaless. Find, m
i. The tension of the string.
ii. The moment of inertia of the pulley.
iii. The angular velocity of the pulley after 2s. 370
( The pulley is released to rotate from rest.)

34. A light string is wound around a solid cylinder of mass 2 kg and radius 25 cm. The cylinder is freely dropped
keeping the free end of the string fixed. Find the linear acceleration of the cylinder and the tension of the
string.

35. A light string is wound around a cylinder of mass m and radius r. When the
string is pulled the cylinder rolls in a way such that a constant horizontal force F
of F acts on the cylinder. Assume that the cylinder does not slip. Find
i. The acceleration of the centre of mass.
ii. The friction exerted by the surface.
iii. The linear velocity of the centre of mass of cylinder after rolling for a distance of d on the surface.

36. Show that the minimum coefficient of friction between a uniform solid cylinder and a rough surface which is
1
inclined at to the horizontal, is tan  for the cylinder to roll without slipping.
3

37. T2 P
m2

smooth surface T1
m1

Two objects of mass m1 and m2 are attached together using a light string. The string goes through a pulley P
that has a radius R and a moment of inertia I. The string does not slip on the pulley.
Find,
i. The acceleration of the masses.
ii. T1 and T2 tensions.
iii. Compare the answers you get by neglecting the moment of inertia of the pulley with the above answers.

38. In the figure M = 500 g, m = 460 g, the radius of the pulley is 5 cm and it rotates about its axis
without friction. When the system is released from rest, the mass M drops 75 cm in 5s.
find,
i. The accelerations of M and m.
ii. The tension of the part of the string attached to M
iii. The tension of the part of the string attached to m. m
iv. The angular acceleration of the pulley.
v. The moment of inertia of the pulley.
M

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39. A flywheel with an axle 1.0 cm in diameter is mounted in frictionless bearings and set in motion by applying
a steady tension of 2N to a thin thread wound tightly around the axle. The moment of inertia of the system
about its axis of rotation is 5.0 × 10–4 kg m2
Calculate,
i. The angular acceleration of the flywheel.
ii. If the tension of the thread is completly removed when 1 m of thread is pulled off the axle, find
the constant retarding couple that must be applied to bring the fly wheel to the rest in one complete
turn.

40. A disc which has a moment of inertia of I1 rotates at 0 angular velocity about a verticle axis which is
perpendicular to the disc without friction. Another disc which is not rotating is dropped onto the first disc
such that its axis of rotation is same as the first one and the moment of inertia about the axis is I2. Due to the
rough surfaces of the discs they both rotate at the same angular velocity 0 . Obtain an expression for .

41. A ballet dancer spins one revolutions per second rotates a vertical axis with her arms spread. Her moment of
inertia about the verticle axis decreases by 60% when she folds her arms. Find the new rate of rotation.

42. A disc which has a moment of inertia of 5 × 10–4 kg m2 rotates freely about an axis through its centre at a rate
of 40 rpm. A small amount of wax of mass 0.02 kg is slowly poured onto the disc 0.08 m away from its centre.
Find the new rate of rotation of the disc.

43. A gramophone disc which is on a turntable rotates at a constant rate of 45 rpm. The rotational rate is reduced
to 36 rpm after slowly placing a small mass of 20 g, at a distance of 4 cm from the axis of rotation, on the disc.
The mass sticks onto the disc. Find the moment of inertia of the disc about its centre.

44. Take the earth as a uniform solid sphere. How long will the day be if its radius is halved without changing its
mass.
2
(The moment of inertia of a solid sphere about a diameter is mr2)
5

45. A small meteor of mass m which is directed towards the centre of earth lands close to the equator. Consider
the earth as a uniform solid sphere of mass M and radius R. Show that the duration of a day increases by
5mT / 2M due to the landing of the meteor.

46. A child of mass M who is standing on the circumference of a wheel

which can smoothly rotate about O, throws an object of mass m
horizontally in a direction that is tangential to the wheel. The moment
of inertia of the wheel is I and its radius is R. Find the angular
O
velocity of the wheel and the child's linear velocity if the system
was at rest initially.

47. A cube of wood having a mass of 0.5 kg is attached to a non - uniform rod of length 0.60 m A
which can be rotated about a horizontal axis which goes through A. The moment of inertia
of the rod about A is 0.06 kgm2 . A bullet of mass lg which was travelling horizontally
collides with the cube of wood and sticks to it. Find the initial velocity of the bullet if the
initial angular velocity of the system is 4.5 rad s–1. Assume that the cube of wood as a
particle.

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48.
v
r

A solid cylinder having a mass 2 kg and a radius R = 20 cm can rotate smoothly about its axis. A particle of
mass 100 g which travels at V = 2ms–1 velocity hits and sticks to the cylinder which was at rest. Find the
angular velocity of the system after the collision. Take r = 15 cm

49. The depth of the ocean is increased by 30 m due to the melting of glaciers as a result of global warming. Find
the approximate effect of this on the earth's "day".
(The radius of the earth is 6400 km and consider it to be a solid sphere. The moment of inertia of a solid
2
sphere about a diameter is mr2.)
5
50. A particle of mass m is attached to an end of an inelastic string. The other end
of the string is sent through a hole in a smooth table surface. The mass m
m
rotates in a circular path of radius 0.8 m at a speed of 2.4 ms–1 while keeping
the free end of the string stretched vertically downwards. Find the speed of m
if the free end is stretched such that the radius of the free end is 0.48 m.

51. Find the work done when an object which has a moment of inertia 5 kg m2 is rotated for 4 s under a torque of
25 Nm about its axis of rotation.

52. A disc of mass 5 kg and moment of inertia 2.5 kg m2 about its centre rolls on a horizontal surface without
slipping. The velocity of its centre of mass is 2 m s–1 . The radius of the disc is 1 m. Find its,
i. Angular velocity
ii. Total kinetic energy

53. A flywheel has a kinetic energy of 200 J. It is subject to a constant retarding couple of 5 Nm. How many turns
does it rotate before coming to rest?
If the moment of inertia of the flywheel about its centre is 4 kg m2 calculate the time it takes for the flywheel to
rest.

54. Consider the earth as a uniform solid sphere. The radius of the earth and its mass are 6.4 × 103 km and
6.0 × 1024 kg respectively. Calculate the rotational kinetic energy of the earth about its axis.

55. The mass of an oxygen molecule is 5.3 × 10–26 kg. It has a moment of inertia of 1.94 × 10–46 kg m2 about an axis
perpendicular to the line connecting the two atoms through its centre of mass. The oxygen molecule
2
travels at a velocity of 500 ms–1 . Its rotational kinetic energy is of its translational kinetic energy.
3
Calculate the angular velocity of the oxygen molecule.

56. A solid cylinder of mass m and radius R is placed on a wedge at a height of h as

depicted in the figure. Assuming the cylinder rolls without slipping, find the
speed of the cylinder at the bottom of the wedge if it is released from rest.

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57. A solid cylinder rolls without slipping on an plane which is inclined at to the
horizontal as shown in the figure. Show that the translational acceleration of the
2
cylinder takes a constant value of g sin 
3
1
(The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder about its axis is mr2)
2

58. A solid sphere of mass 0.5 kg and radius 5 cm rolls on a horizontal surface. Its
centre has a horizontal velocity of 2 m s–1 at the moment it meets the surface
which is inclined at 300 to the horizontal. Consider that the sphere does not
slip and find the distance it climbs along the inclined surface.

2
(The moment of inertia of a solid sphere about a diameter is mr2)
5
59. An object of mass m and radius R rolls on a horizontal surface. This
object has a horizontal velocity of V at its centre at the moment it
meets the inclined surface shown here. The maximum height that the
3 V2 h
object climbs along the inclined surface h, is given by h =
4g
Find the moment of inertia of the object about an axis though its centre
of mass. What could be this object? (Assume that the object doesn't slip)

60. The uniform rod of 1 m in length shown in the figure is pivoted at O such that it can
rotate freely in a vertical plane. It is released after holding horizontally. Calculate
the angular velocity of its free end when it passes the position shown in the figure.
1
(I= ml2)
3
61. A wheel with an axle of total moment of inertia of 0.002 kg m2 is set in motion by using the 800 g which is
attached to a thread that is wound around the axle. The radius of the axle is 2 cm. How far should the 800 g fall
down from rest for the wheel to achieve a speed of 3 revolutions per second?
M ,R
I ,r

62.

The system's motion is frictionless and the thread on the solid sphere and the pulley does not slip. Calculate
the velocity of the mass m after falling for a height of h when the system is released from rest.
2
Moment of inertia of a solid sphere is mr2
5

63. In the figure m1 = 7 kg and m2 = 12 kg and the radius of the smooth pulley is 5 cm. When
released from rest, m2 falls 1m in 2s. Find the moment of inertia of the pulley.

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64. A smooth inclined road ends with a loop of radius r. What is the minimum vertical
height that a particle should be released from rest to travel a complete round in the
loop.

65. An electrical motor supplies a power of 5 × 102 W to a flywheel for it to rotate at a steady speed of 6 × 102
turns per minute. How long does it take for the flywheel to come to rest when the motor is stopped? ( The
retarding frictional torque is assumed to be constant. The moment of inertia of the wheel is 2 kg m2 )

MCQ
Time target : 20 minutes

01. A wheel which was at rest initially rotates 200 rad in 10 s due to a torque of 50 Nm. The angular acceleration
of the wheel will be,
1' 1 rad s–2 2' 2 rad s–2 3' 4 rad s–2 4' 6 rad s–2 5' 8 rad s–2

02. Two circular loops P and Q are formed using a given thin wire. The radius of P is r and the radius of Q is nr. The
moment of inertia of Q about an axis perpendicular to its plane is four times the moment of inertia of P about
a similar axis. The value of n is,
1' 41$3 2' 42$3 3' 41$2 4' 41$4 5' 43$4

03. A circular disc of radius 2 m rolls on a horizontal plank without slipping. The accelerations are shown in the
figure. The angular acceleration of the disc will be,
1. 4 rad s–2
2. 3 rad s–2
3. 2 rad s–2
4. 1 rad s–2
5. 0

04. A circular disc rolls on a horizontal surface without slipping as shown in the figure. The centre of the disc is
C. P and Q are two equispaced points from C. If VP , VQ and VC denotes the linear velocities of the points P,Q
and C,
1. VQ > VC > VP
2. VQ > VP > VC
3. VQ > VP , VC = 1/2 VP
4. VP>VQ > VC
5. VC > VP > VQ

05. A turntable which is at rest can rotate about its axis without friction. Its radius is R and the moment of inertia
about the axis is I. A child of mass m gets onto the turntable after running at a speed of V in a direction which
is tangential to the circumference. Now the angular velocity of the system consisting the child and the
turntable will be, (Assume the child as a particle)

mV2R mVR mV2R mVR 2 mVR

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
(mR2+I) (mR2+I) 2(mR2+I) 2(mR2+I) (mR2+I)

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06. A uniform circular ring rolls on a plane which is inclined at 300 to the horizontal without slipping. The
acceleration of its centre of mass will be, (g - gravitational acceleration)
1. g $ 2 2. g $ 3 3. g $ 4 4. g $ 6 5. g

07. A uniform circular ring of radius R rolls on a horizontal surface without slipping at a constant speed of V. The
acceleration of the highest point of the ring relative to the lowest point is,
1. V2 / R 2. 2V2 / R 3. V2 / 2R 4. 4V2 / R 5. V2 / 4R

08. Two smooth beads which are of mass m each retained on a uniform rod of mass M and length L close to its
centre as shown in the figure, the rod rotates about an axis perpendicular to the rod through its centre at an
angular velocity of initially. The angular velocity of the system at the moment the beads reach the ends of
the rod will be, ( The moment of inertia of a straight rod of mass m and length l about an axis through its center
perpendicular to it is 1 $ 12 ml2 )
1. M/ (M + 6m)
2. M/ m
3. M/ (M +12m)
4. M/ (M + m)
5. 

09. A rod of length 30 cm has two identical particles B and C attached to both of its ends.It is kept on a smooth
horizontal surface. Another identical particle "A" moves at a speed of 60 cms–1 on the surface collides and
coalesces with B as shown in the figure. The angular velocity of the system moments after the collision is,

1. 1 rad s–1
2. 2 rad s–1
3. 3 rad s–1
4. 4 rad s–1
5. 5 rad s–1

10. A light thread is wound around the circumference of a circular disc of radius r and mass m which is kept on a
smooth horizontal plane. A small mass m is attached to the end of the thread. The thread is kept loosened
initially and the mass is given a horizontal velocity of 5 ms–1 as depicted in the figure. The velocity of the mass
at the moment which the thread is tightened will be, (The disc can freely rotate about an axis through its center
perpendicular to its plane and the moment of inertia of the disc about that axis is 1/2 mr2 )

1. 3 ms–1 2. 2.5 ms–1

3. 5 / 3 ms–1 4. 10 / 3 ms–1
5. 2 ms–1

Samitha Ratnayake - 22 - Innovative Physics

 Answers
01. 7.26 ×10–5 rads–1 , 465 ms–1 02. i. /30 rads–1 ii. /1800 rads–1 iii. /21600 rads–1
03. 2 rads–2 04. 8 s
05. 6 rad , 6 rads–1 , 3 ms–1 , 1.5 ms–2 , 18 ms–2 06. 15.7 rads–2 , 500
07. i. –0.173 rads–2 ii. 5.51
iii. 48.4 cm s–1 iv. 2.42 cm s–2
08. i. 6.54 rads–2 ii. 9.6 s iii. 48 09. 200 rev / min
10. i. 6.4 rads–2 ii. 90 ms–2 , 1.3 ms–2
11. i. 8 rad ii. 20 s 12. 4 ms–1 13. 3.8 × 103 rads–1 , 190 ms–1
14. 16 s 15. –1.5 rads–2 , 20 s 16. V , V
2R 2
17. i. 1/2R ( v1 – v2 ) , 1/2 ( v1 + v2 )
ii. 1/2R ( v1 + v2 ) , 1/2 ( v1 – v2 ) 18. 4 Ma2
19. 0.097 kg m2 20. 2m r 2
21. i. 1305 g cm2 ii. 545 g cm2 iii. 1850 g cm2
22. 5 kg m2 s–1 23. 2.8×1034 kgm2s–1 26. 3.33 kgm2s–1
27. 16000 Nm 28. 543.7
29. i. 1.3 rads–2 ii. 13 rads–1
30. i. 4.9 ms–2 ii. 24.5 rads–2 iii. 6.1 N 31. i. 2 rads–2 ii. 6 rads–1 iii. 4.5 m
32. 4.6 rads–2 33. i. 46.8 N ii. 0.234 kgm2 iii. 40.0 rads–1
34. 6.67 ms–2 , 6.67 N 35. i. 4F/3m ii. F/3 iii.  8Fd/3m
37. i. m1g / (m1+m2 +I/R2)
ii. T1 = m1g ( I + m2R2) / [ I + (m1 + m2) R2 ] , T2 = m1 m2 g / (m1+m2 +I/R2)
38. i. 6 cm s–2 ii. 4.97 N iii. 4.63 N iv. 1.20 rads–2 v. 0.0142 kgm2
39. i. 20 rads–2 ii. 0.32 Nm 40. I10 / I1 + I2 41. 2.5 rev s–1
42. 31.8 rpm 43. 1.3 × 10–4 kg m2 44. 6 hours
46. mvR / (MR2 + I ) , mvR2 / (MR2 + I ) 47. 1802.7 ms–1
48. 0.365 rads–1 49. Extends by 0.8 s 50. 4.0 ms–1 51. 1000 J
52. i. 2 rads–1 ii. 15 J 53. 6.4 , 8 s 54. 2.6 × 1029 J
55. 6.7 × 1012 rads–1 56. 2  (gh / 3) 57. 58. 56 cm
59. ½ mR2 , Circular disk / solid cylinder 60.  3 g Sin  ,  3 g Sin 
2
61. 5.15 cm 62.  ( 2 mgh ) / (m + I/r + 2M/5) 63. 0.2 kgm2
64. 2.5 r 65. 15.8 s

Answers – MCQ

01. 3 02. 1 03. 2 04. 1 05. 2

06. 3 07. 2 08. 1 09. 1 10. 4

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Notes

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