I A S

MATHEMATICS
STATATICS AND DYNAMICS
Previous year Questions from 1992 To 2017
Syllabus
Rectilinear motion, simple harmonic motion, motion in a plane,
projectiles; constrained motion; Work and energy, conservation
of energy; Kepler's laws, orbits under central forces.
Equilibrium of a system of particles; Work and potential energy,
friction; common catenary; Principle of virtual work; Stability of
equilibrium, equilibrium of forces in three dimensions.

** Note: Syllabus was revised in 1990’s and 2001 & 2008 **

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 2017
1. A fixed wire is in the shape of the cardiod r  a 1  cos   , the initial line being the downward
vertical. A small ring of mass m can side on the wire and is attached to point r=0 of the
cardiod by an elastic string of natural length a and modulus of elasticity 4 mg. The string is
released from rest when the string is horizontal. Show by using laws of conservation of
energy that a 1  cos    g cos  1  cos    0 , g being the acceleration due to gravity..
2

(10 Marks)
2. If the growth rate of the population of bacteria at any time t is proportional to the amount
present at that time and population doubles in one week, then how much bacterias can be
expected after 4 weeks? (8 Marks)
3. A uniform solid hemisphere rests on a rough plane inclined to the horizon at an angle  with
its curved surface touching the plane. Find the greatest admissible value of the inclination 
for equilibrium. If  be less than this value, is the equilibrium stable? (17Marks)
4. A particle is free to move on a smooth vertical circular wire of radius a. At time t=0 it is
projected along the circle from its lowest point A with velocity just sufficient to carry it to the
highest point B. Find the time T at which the reaction between the particle and the wire is
zero. (17Marks)
5. A spherical shot of W gm weight and radius r cm, lies at the bottom of cylindrical bucket of
radius R cm. The bucket is filled with water up to a depth of h cm (h>2r). Show that the
minimum amount of work done in lifting the shot just clear of the water must be

  4r 3    2r 3 
W
  h    W '  r  h  
  3R 2    3R 2  cm gm. W’ gm is the weight of water displaced by the
shot. (16Marks)

2016
6. A particle moves with a central acceleration which varies inversely as the cube of the
distance. If it is projected from an apse at a distance a from the origin with a velocity which is
2 times the velocity for a circle of radius a, then find the equation to the path.
(10 Marks)
7. A uniform rod AB of length 2a movable about a hinge at A rests with other end against a
smooth vertical wall. If a is inclination of the rod to the vertical, prove that the magnitude of
1
reaction of the hinge is W 4  tan 2  Where W is the weight of the rod. (15 Marks)
2
8. Two weights P and Q are suspended from a fixed point O by strings OA, OB and are kept
apart by a light rod AB. If the strings OA and OB make angles  and  with the rod AB, show
that the angle  which the rod makes with the vertical is given by
PQ
tan   (15 Marks)
P cot   Q cot 

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9. A square ABCD, the length of whose sides is a , is fixed in a vertical plane with two of its
sides horizontal. An endless string of length l ( > 4a) passes over four pegs at the angles of
the board and through a ring of weight W which is hanging vertically. Show that the tension of
W  l  3a 
the string is (20 Marks)
2 l 2  6la  8a 2
10. A particle moves in a straight line. Its acceleration is directed towards a fixed point O in the
1/ 3
 a5 
line and is always equal to   2  when it is at a distance x from O. If it starts from rest at
x 
a distance a from O, then find the time, the particle will arrive at O. (15 Marks)

2015
11. A body moving under SHM has an amplitude ‘a’ and time period ‘T’. If the velocity is trebled,
2
when the distance from mean position is ‘ a ’, the period being unaltered, find the new
3
amplitude. (10 Marks)
12. A rod if 8 kg movable in a vertical plane about a hinge at one end, another end is fastened a
weight equal to half of the rod, this end is fastened by a string of length l to a point at a height
b above the hinge vertically. Obtain the tension in the string. (10 Marks)
13. Two equal ladders of weight 4 kg each are placed so as to lean at A against each other with
their ends resting on a rough floor, given the coefficient of friction is . The ladders at A make
an angle 60° with each other. Find what weight on the top would cause them to slip.
(13 Marks)
14. A mass starts from rest at a distance ‘a’ from the centre of force which attracts inversely as
the distance. Find the time of arriving at the centre. (13 Marks)
15. A particle is projected from the base of a hill whose slope is that of a right circular cone,
whose axis is vertical. The projectile gazes the vertex and strikes the hill again at a point on
the base. If the semi vertical angle of the cone is 30°, h is height, determine the initial velocity
u of the projection and its angle of projection. (13 Marks)
16. Find the length of an endless chain which will hang over a circular pulley of radius ‘a’ so as to
be in contact with the two-thirds of the circumference of the pulley. (12 marks)
17. A particle moves in a plane under a force, towards a fixed centre, proportional to the
distance.
If the path of the particle has two apsidal distances a,b (a>b), then find the equation of the
path. (13 Marks)
2014
18. A particle is performing a simple harmonic motion (S.H.M.) of period T about a centre O with
amplitude a and it passes through a point P, where OP=b in the direction OP. Prove that the
T b
time which elapses before it returns to P is cos 1   . (10 Marks)
 a

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19. Two equal uniform rods AB and AC, each of length l, are freely jointed at A and rest on a
smooth fixed vertical circle of radius r. If 2 is the angle between the rods, then find the
relation between l, r and , by using the principle of virtual work. (10 Marks)
20. A particle of mass m, hanging vertically from a fixed point by a light inextensible cord of
length l, is struck by a horizontal blow which imparts to it a velocity 2 gl . Find the velocity
and height of the particle from the level of its initial position when the cord becomes slack.
(15 Marks)
21. A regular pentagon ABCDE, formed of equal heavy uniform bars jointed together, is
suspended from the joint A, and is maintained in form by a light rod joining the middle points
of BC and DE. Find the stress in this rod. (20 Marks)
22. A Particle is acted on by a force parallel to the axis of y whose acceleration (always towards

2
the axis of x) is y--2 and when y=a, it is projected parallel to the axis of X with velocity .
a
Find the parametric equation of the path of the particle. Here  is a constant.(15 Marks)

2013
23. A particle of mass 2.5 kg hangs at the end of a string, 0.9 m long, the other end of which is
attached to a fixed point. The particle is projected horizontally with a velocity 8m/sec. Find
the velocity of the particle and tension in the string when the string is (i) horizontal and (ii)
vertically upward. (20 Marks)
24. A uniform ladder rests at an angle of 45° with the horizontal with its upper extremity against a
rough vertical wall and its lower extremity on the ground. If  and  are the coefficients of
limiting friction between the ladder and the ground and wall respectively, then find the
minimum horizontal force required to move the lower end of the ladder towards the wall.
(15 Marks)
25. Six equal rods AB, BC, CD, DE, EF and FA are each of weight W and are freely jointed at
their extremities so as to form a hexagon, the rod AB is fixed in a horizontal position and the
middle points of AB and DE are joined by a string. Find the tension in the string.
(15 Marks)

2012
26. A heavy ring of mass m, slides on a smooth vertical rod and is attached to a light string
which passes over a small pulley distant a from the rod and has a mass M (>m) fastened to
its other end. Show that if the ring be dropped from a point in the rod in the same horizontal
2Mma
plane as the pulley, it will descend a distance before coming to rest. (20 Marks)
M 2  m2
27. A heavy hemispherical shell of radius a has a particle attached to a point on the rim, and
rests with the curved surface in contact with a rough sphere of radius b at the highest point.
b
Prove that if  5  1 , the equilibrium is stable, whatever be the weight of the particle.
a
(20 Marks)

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28. The end links of a uniform chain slide along a fixed rough horizontal rod. Prove that the ratio
of the maximum span to the length of the chain is

1  1   2 
 log   Where  is the coefficient of friction. (20 Marks)
  

2011
29. A mass of 560 kg moving with a velocity of 240 m/sec strikes a fixed target and is brought to
rest in 1/100 sec. Find the impulse of the blow on the target and assuming the resistance to
be uniform throughout the time taken by the body in coming to rest, find the distance through
which it penetrates. (20 Marks)
30. A ladder of weight W rests one end against a smooth vertical wall and the other end rests on
a smooth floor. If the inclination of the ladder to the hirozon is 60°, find the horizontal force
that must be applied to the lower end to prevent the ladder from slipping down. (20 Marks)
31. After a ball has been falling under gravity for 5 seconds it passes through a pane of glass
and loses half its velocity. If it now reaches the ground in 1 second, find the height of glass
above the ground. (10 Marks)
32. A particle of mass m moves on straight line under an attractive force mn 2x towards a point O
dx
on the line, where X is the distance from O. If x=a and u
dt
When t=0, find x(t) for any time t >0. (10 Marks)

2010
33. If v1, v2, v3 are the velocities at three points A,B,C of the path of a projectile, where the
inclinations to the horizon are , -, -2, and if t1, t2 are the times of describing the arcs
AB,BC, respectively, prove that
1 1 2 cos 
v3t1  v1t2 and   (12 Marks)
v1 v3 v2
34. A particle slides down the arc of a smooth cycloid whose axis is vertical and vertex lowest.
Prove that the time occupied in falling down the first half of the vertical height is equal to the
time of falling down the second half. (20 Marks)
35.  
A Particle moves with a central acceleration  r  9r , being projected from and apse at a
5

distance 3 with velocity 3  2   . Show that its path is the curve x 4  y 4  9 . (20 Marks)
36. A solid hemisphere is supported by a string fixed to a point on its rim and to a point on a
smooth vertical wall with which the curved surface of the hemisphere is in contact. If  and 
are the inclinations of the string and the plane base of the hemisphere to the vertical, prove
3
by using the principle of virtual work that tan    tan  (20 Marks)
8

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 2009
37. A body is describing an ellipse of eccentricity e under the action of a central force directed
towards a focus and when at the nearer apse, the centre of force is transferred to the other
focus. Find the eccentricity of the new orbit in terms of the eccentricity of the original orbit.
(12 Marks)
38. A uniform rod AB is movable about a hinge at A and rests with one end in contact with a
smooth vertical wall. If the rod is inclined at an angle of 30° with the horizontal, find the
reaction at the hinge in magnitude and direction. (12 Marks)
39. A shot fired with a velocity V at an elevation  strikes a point P in a horizontal plane through
the point of projection. If the point P is receding from the gun with velocity v, show that the
2v
elevation must be changed , where sin 2  sin 2  sin  (12 Marks)
V
40. One end of a light elastic string of natural length I and modulus of elasticity 2mg is attached
to a fixed point O and the other end to a particle of mass m. The particle initially held at rest
at O is let fall. Find the greatest extension of the string during the motion and show that the

21

particle will reach O again after a time   2  tan 2
1
 g
(20 Marks)

41. A particle is projected with velocity V from the cusp of a smooth inverted cycloid down the

a  V 
arc. Show that the time of reaching the vertex is 2 cot 1   Where  is the radius
g  2 ag
 
of the generating circle. (10 Marks)

2008
42. A smooth parabolic tube is placed with vertex downwards in a vertical plane. A particle slides
down the tube from rest under the influence of gravity. Prove that any position, the reaction of
ha
the tube is equal to, 2 w   , where ‘w’ is the weight of the particle, ‘’ the radius of
  
curvature of the tube, ‘4a’ its latus rectum and ‘h’ the initial vertical height of the particle
above the vertex of the tube. (12 Marks)
43. A straight uniform beam of length ‘2h’ rests in limiting equilibrium, in contact with a rough
vertical wall of height ‘h’. with one end on a rough horizontal plane and with the other end
projecting beyond the wall. If both the wall and the plane be equally rough, prove that ‘’, the
angle of fraction, is given by 2= sin2, ‘’ being the inclination of the beam to the horizon.

44. A particle P moves in a plane such that it is acted on by two constant velocities u and v
respectively along the direction OX, and along the direction perpendicular to OP, where O is
some fixed point, that is the origin. Show that the path traversed by P is a conic section with
focus at O and eccentricity u/v. (15 Marks)

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45.
4 2
2 5
  
A particle of mass m moves under a force m 3au  2 a  b u , u  1/ r , a  b, a, b and 


(>0) being given constants. It is projected from an apse at a distance a+b with velocity. .
ab
Show that its orbit is given by the equation r  a  b cos  , where (r,,) are the plane polar
coordinates of a point. (15 Marks)
46. A shell lying in a straight smooth horizontal tube suddenly breaks into two portions of
masses m1 and m2. If s be the distance between the two masses inside the tube after time t,

1 m1m2 s 2
show that the work done by the explosion can be written as equal to . .
2 m1  m2 t 2
(15 Marks)
47. A ladder of weight 10 kg. rests on a smooth horizontal ground leaning against a smooth
vertical wall at an inclination tan-12 with the horizon and is prevented from slipping by a string
attached at its lower end, and to the junction of the floor and the wall. A boy of weight 30kg.
begins to ascend the ladder. If the string can bear a tension of 10 kg. wt., how far along the
ladder can the boy rise with safety? (15 Marks)
48. A solid right cylinder cone whose height is h and radius of whose base is r, is placed on an
inclined plane. It is prevented from sliding. If the inclination  of the plane (to the horizontal)
be gradually decreased, find when the cone will topple over. For a cone whose semi-vertical
angle is 30°, determine the critical value of  which when exceeded, the cone will topple
over.
(15 Marks)

2007
49. A particle falls from rest under gravity in a medium whose resistance varies as the velocity
of the particle. Find the distance fallen by the particle and its velocity at time t. (12 Marks)
50. A uniform string of length one metre hangs over two smooth pegs P and Q at different
heights. The parts which hang vertically are of lengths 34 cm and 26 cm. Find the ratio in
which the vertex of the catenary divides the whole string. (12 Marks)
51. A particle is performing simple harmonic motion of period T about a centre O. it passes
through a point P(OP=p) with velocity v in the direction OP. Show that the time which
T vT
elapses before it returns to P is tan 1 (15 Marks)
 2 p
52. A particle attached to a fixed peg O by a string of length l, is lifted up with string horizontal
and then let go. Prove that when the string makes an angle 0 with the horizontal, the

resultant acceleration is g 1  3sin  

2
(15 Marks)
53. A uniform beam of length l rests with its ends on two smooth planes which intersect in a
horizontal line. If the inclinations of the planes to the horizontal are  and  (>), show that
the inclination  of the beam to the horizontal, in one of the equilibrium positions, is given by
1
tan    cot   cot   & Show that the beam is unstable in this position. (15 Marks)
2

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 2006
54. A particle is free to move on a smooth vertical circular wire of radius a. It is projected
horizontally from the lowest point with velocity 2 ga . Show that the reaction between the

particle and the wire is zero after a time

a
g
log  5 6  (12 Marks)

 a4 
55. m
A particle, whose mass is m, is acted upon by a force  x   towards the origin. If it
 x3 


starts from rest at a distance a, show that it will arrive at origin in time . (15 Marks)
4
56. If u and V are the velocity of projection and the terminal velocity respectively of a particle
rising vertically against a resistance varying as the as the square of the velocity, prove that
v u
the time taken by the particle to reach the highest point is tan 1   (15 marks)
g v
57. Show that the length of an endless chain, which will hang over a circular pulley of radius c so

 
 3 4 
c
as to be in contact with two-third circumference of the pulley is   
 log 2  3 
3 
 
(15 marks)
58. A uniform rod of length 2a, can turn freely about one end, which is fixed at a height h(<2a)
above the surface of the liquid. If the densities of the rod and liquid be  and , show that the
rod can rest either in a vertical position or inclined at an angle  to the vertical such that

h 
cos   (15 marks)
2a  
2005
59. A body of mass (m1+m2) moving in a straight line is split into two parts of masses m1 and m2
by an internal explosion, which generates kinetic energy E. If after the explosion the two parts
move in the same line as before, find their relative velocity. (15 marks)
60. If a number of concurrent forces be represented in magnitude and direction by the sides of a
closed polygon, taken in order, then show that these forces are in equilibrium.
(12 Marks)
61. A particle is projected along the inner side of a smooth vertical circle of radius a so that its
velocity at the lowest point is u. Show that if 2ag<u2<5ag, the particle will leave the circle
before arriving at the highest point and will describe a parabola whose latus rectum is

2  u 2  2 ga 
3

. (15 Marks)
27 g 3 a 2

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62. Two particles connected by a fine string are constrained to move in a fine cycloidal tube in a
vertical plane. The axis of the cycloid is vertical with vertex upwards. Prove that the tension
in the string is constant throughout the motion. (15 Marks)
63. Two equal uniform rods AB and AC of the length a each, are freely joined at A, and are placed
symmetrically over two smooth pegs on the same horizontal level at a distance c apart (3c
<2a). A weight equal to that of a rod, is suspended from the joint A. In the position of
equilibrium, find the inclination of either rod with the horizontal by the principal of virtual work.
(15 Marks)
64. A rectangular lamina of length 2a and breadth 2b is completely immersed in a vertical plane,
in a fluid, so that its centre is at a depth h and the side 2a makes an angle  with the
horizontal. Find the position of the centre of pressure. (15 Marks)

2004
65. A point moving with uniform acceleration describes distances s1 and s2 metres in
successive intervals of time t1 and t2 seconds. Express the acceleration in terms of s1,s2, t1
and t2.
(12 Marks)
66. A non-uniform string hangs under gravity. Its cross-section at any point is inversely
proportional to the tension at the point. Prove that the curve in which the string hangs is an
arc of a parabola with its axis vertical. (12 Marks)
67. A circular area of radius a is immersed with its plane vertical, and its centre at a depth c.
Find the position of its centre of pressure. (12 Marks)
68. Prove that the velocity required to project a particle from a height h to fall at a horizontal

distance a from a point of projection. Is at least equal to g  

a 2  h 2  h . (15 Marks)

69. A car of mass 750 kg is running up a hill of 1 in 30 at a steady speed of 36 km/hr, the friction
is equal to the weight of 40 kg. Find the work done in 1 second. (15 Marks)
70. A uniform bar AB weights 12 N and rests with the part AC of length 8 m. on a horizontal table
and the remaining part CB projecting over the edge of the table. If the bar is on the point of
overbalancing when a weight of 5 N is placed on it at a point 2 m from A and a weight of 7 N
is hung from B, find the length of AB. (15 Marks)
2003
71. An elastic string of natural length a+b, where a>b, and modulus of elasticity , has a particle
of mass m attached to it at a distance a from one end which is fixed to a point A of a smooth
horizontal plane. The other end of the string is fixed to a point B so that string is just
unstretched. If the particle be held at B and then released, find the periodic time and the
distance in which the particle will oscillate to and fro. (15 Marks)
72. If a particle slides down a smooth cycloid, starting from a point whose actual distance from
the vertex is b, prove that its speed at any time t is 2xb/T sin(2xT/T), where T is the time of
complete oscillation of the particle. (15 Marks)
73. A ladder on a horizontal floor leans against a vertical wall. The coefficients of friction of the
floor and the wall with the ladder are  and 1 respectively. If a man, whose weight is n times
that of the ladder, want to climb up the ladder, find the minimum safe angle of the ladder with
the floor. (15 Marks)

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 x2 y2
74. An ellipse   1 is immersed vertically in a fluid with its semi-axis of length a
a2 b2
horizontal.
If its centre be at a depth h, find the depth of the centre of pressure. (15 Marks)

2002
 a4 
75. m
A particle of mass m is acted upon by a force  x   towards the origin. If it starts from
 x3 
rest at a distance a from the origin, show that the time taken by it to reach the origin is /4.
(12 Marks)
76. Obtain the equation of the curve in which a string hangs under gravity from two fixed points
(not lying in a vertical line), when line mass density at each of its points varies as the radius
of curvature of the curve. (12 Marks)
77. A heavy particle of mass m slides on a smooth arc of a cycloid in a medium whose
resistance is mv2/2c, v being the velocity of the particle and c being the distance of the
starting point from the vertex. If the axis vertical and vertex upwards, find the velocity of the
particle at the cusp. (15 marks)
78. A particle describes a curve with constant velocity and its angular velocity about a given point
O varies inversely as its distance from O. Show that the curve is an equiangular spiral.
(15 Marks)
79. Five weightless rods of equal lengths are jointed together so as to form a rhombus ABCD
with a diagonal BD. If a weight W be attached to C and the system be suspended from a
point A, show that the thrust in BD is equal to W / 3 . (15 marks)
80. A solid cylinder floats in a liquid with its axis vertical. Let  be the ratio of the specific gravity
of the cylinder to that of the liquid. Prove that the equilibrium is stable if the ratio of the radius

of the base to the height is greater than 2 1    . (15 Marks)

2001
81. The middle points of the opposite sides of a jointed quadrilateral are connected by light rods
T T'
of lengths, l,l. If T, T be the tensions in these rods, prove that  0 (12 Marks)
l l'
82. A comet describing a parabola under inverse square law about the sun, when nearest to it
suddenly breaks up, without gain or loss of kinetic energy, into two equal portions, one of
which describes a circle. Prove that the other will describe a hyperbola of eccentricity 2.
(15 marks)
83. A particle of mass M is at rest and begins to move under the action of a constant force F in a
fixed direction. It encounters the resistance of a stream of fine dust moving in the opposite
direction with velocity V, which deposits matter on it a constant rate rate . Show that the

k   m 
mM 1  log 
 2 
mass of the particle will be m when it has travelled a distance
 M 
Where k= F-V. (15 marks)

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84. A right circular cylinder floating with its axis horizontal and in the surface, is displaced in the
vertical plane through the axis. Discuss its stability of equilibrium. (15 marks)
85. Find the law of force to the pole when the path of a particles is the cardioids r=(1-cos) and
prove that if F be the force at the apse and v the velocity there, then 3v2=4aF. (12 marks)

2000
86. If T is the tension at any point P of a catenary and T 0 that at the lowest point C, then show
that T 2  T 2 0  W 2 , where W is the weight of the arc CP of the Catenary.. (12 marks)

87. Prove that a central force motion is a motion in a plane and the areal velocity of a particle is
constant. (12 marks)
88. A trapezoidal plate having its parallel sides of length x and y. (x>y) at a distance z apart, is
immersed vertically in water into x side uppermost (horizontal) at a depth d below the water
surface. Find the total thrust on the surface. (12 marks)
89. A telephonic wire weighing 0.04 lb per foot has a horizontal span of 150 feel and sag of 1.5
feet. Find the length of the wire and also find maximum tension. (12 marks)
90. Assuming that the earth attracts points inside it with a force which varies as the distance
from its centre, show that, if a straight frictionless airless tunnel be made from one point of
the earth’s surface to any point, a train would traverse the tunnel in slightly less than three-
quarter of an hour. Assume the earth to be a homogeneous sphere of radius 6400 km.
(12 marks)
marks)
91. A small bead projected with any velocity along the smooth circular wire under the action of a
force varying inversely as the fifth power of the distance from a centre of force situated on
the circumference. Prove that the pressure on the wire is constant. (12 marks)
1999
92. A perfectly rough plane is inclined at an angle  to the horizon. Show that the least
1/ 2
 2 sin  
eccentricity of the ellipse which can rest on the plane is  (15 marks)
1  sin  
93. A string of length a forms the shorter diagonal of a rhombus formed of four uniform rods,
each of length b and weight W. are hinged together. If one of the rods be supported in a

2W  2b 2  a 2 
b  4b 2  a 2 
horizontal position, prove that the tension of the string is 1/ 2 (15 marks)

94. A uniform chain, of length l and weight W, hangs between two fixed points at the same level,
and weight W is attached at the middle point. If K be the sag in the middle, prove that the
K l l
pull on either point of support is W W ' W. (15 marks)
2l 4K 8K

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95. If in a simple harmonic motion u, v, w be the velocities at a distance a,b,c from a fixed point
on the straight line (which is not the centre of force), show that the period T is given by the

u2 v2 w2
4 2

equation T 2
 b  c  c  a  a  b   a b c
(15 marks)
1 1 1

96.
5 4
 
A particle moves with a central acceleration  r  c r , being projected from an apse at

distance c with a velocity 2  / 3 C3. Determine its path. (15 marks)

97. A particle of mass m projected vertically under gravity, the resistance of air being mk
(velocity). Show that the greatest height attained by the particle is
V 3 / g    log 1     where V is the terminal velocity of the particle and V is the initial
vertical velocity. (15 marks)
98. An ellipse is just immersed in water (touching water surface) with its major axis vertical.
Show that if the centre of pressure coincides with the focus the eccentricity of ellipse is ¼.
(15 marks)
99. Two solids are each weighed in succession in three homogeneous liquids of different
densities. If the weights of the one are w1,w2,w3 and those of the other are W 1,W 2,W 3, prove
that w1(W 2-W 3)+w2(W 3-W 1)+w3(W 1-W 2) =0 (15 marks)
100. Masses m and m of the two gases, in which the ratio of the pressure to the density (p/) are
respectively k and k, are mixed at the same temperature. Prove that the ratio of the
mk  m ' k '
pressure to the density in the compounds is . (15 marks)
m  m'
101. If u and v are two velocities in the same direction and V is their resultant velocity given by
u v
tanh 1 V / c  tanh 1  tanh 1 , Then deduce law of composition of velocities from this
c c
equation. (15 marks)
102. Define relativistic energy and momentum and establish E  p c  m 0 c with usual
2 2 2 2 4

notation. (15 marks)

103. Two lumps of clay each of rest mass m0 collide head-on with velocity 3/5 c, and stick
together. What is the mass of the composite lump? (15 marks)
1998
104. A heavy elastic string, whose natural length is 2a, is places round a smooth cone whose
axis is vertical and whose semi-vertical angle is a. If W be the weight and  the modulus of
elasticity of the string, prove that it will be in equilibrium when inb the form of a circle whose
 W 
radius is a  1  cot   (15 marks)
 2 
105. Show how to cut out of a uniform cylinder a cone, whose base coincides with that of a
cylinder, so that the centre of gravity of the remaining solid may coincide with the vertex of
the cone. (15 marks)

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106. One end of an inextensible string is fixed to a point O and to the other end is tied a particle of
mass m. The particle is projected from its position of equilibrium vertically below O with a
horizontal velocity so as to carry it right round the circle. Prove that the sum of the the
tensions at the ends of a diameter is constant. (15 marks)
107. Two particles of masses m1 and m2 moving in coplanar parabolas round the sun, collide at
right angles and coalesce when their common distance from the sun is R. Show that the
subsequent path of the combined particles is an ellipse of major axis (m 1+m2)2 R/2 m1m2
(15 marks)
108. A right circular cone of density , floats just immersed with its vertex downwards in a vessel
containing two liquids of densities 1 and 2 respectively. Show that the plane of separation

  
1

2
3
of the two liquids cut off from the axis of the cone a fraction   of its length.
 1   2 
(15 marks)
109. A cone floats with its axis horizontal in a liquid of density double its own. Find the pressure on
its base and prove that if  be the inclination to the vertical of the resultant thrust on the
curved surface and  the semi vertical angle of the cone.
4 
then   tan  tan  
1
(15 marks)
 

1997
110. Prove that the decomposition of a tensor into a symmetric and an anti symmetric part is
unique. Further show that the contracted product, Sij, Tij of a tensor Tij with a symmetric
tensor Sij is independent of the anti symmetric part of Tij. (15 marks)
111. A heavy uniform chain rests on a rough cycloid whose axis vertical and vertex upwards, one
end of the chain being at the vertex and the other at a cusp. If the equilibrium is limiting, show
that (1+2)ex/2 = 3. (15 marks)
112. A solid frustum of a paraboloid of revolution of height h and latus rectum 4a, rests with its
vertex on the vertex of another paraboloid (inverted) of revolution whose latus rectum is 4b.
3ab
Show that the equilibrium is stable if h  (15 marks)
ab
3
113. A cylinder of wood (specific gravity ) of height h, floats with its axis vertical in water and oil
4
1  h
(specific gravity ). The length of the solid in contact with the oil is a   . Find how much
2  2
of the wood is above the liquid. Also find to what additional depth much oil be added so to
cover the cylinder. (15 marks)
114. A shell bursts on contact with the ground and pieces from it fly in all directions with all
5
velocities upto 80 units. Show that a man 100 units away is in danger for a time of 2 units
2
if g is assumed to be of 32 units. (15 marks)

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115.
4
 2 2 5
  
A particle moves under a force m 3au  2 a  b u , a>b and is projected from an apse


at a distance a+b with velocity Find the orbit. (15 marks)
ab
116. A particle is projected along the inner side of a smooth circle of radius a, the velocity at the
lowest point being u. Show that if 2ag<u2<5ag, the particle will leave the circle before arriving
at the highest point. What is the nature of the path after the particle leaves the circle?
(15 marks)
1996
117. A body of weight W is placed on a rough inclined plane whose inclination to the horizon is 
greater than the angle of friction . The body is supported by a force acting in a vertical plane
through the line of greatest slope and makes an angle  with the inclined plane. Find the
limits between which the force must lie. (20 marks)
118. One end of a light elastic string of natural length a and modulus 2 mg is attached to a fixed
point O and the other to a particle of mass m. The particle is allowed to fall from the position
of rest at O. Find the greatest extension of the string and show that the particle will reach O
again after a time

2a
  2  tan 2
1

g
(20 marks)

119. A stone is thrown at an angle  with the horizon from a point in an inclined plane whose
inclination to the horizon is , the trajectory lying in the vertical plane containing the line of
greatest slope. Show that if  be the elevation of that point of the path which is most distant
from the inclined plane, then 2tan=tan+tan (20 marks)
120. A particle moves under gravity on a vertical circle, sliding down the convex side of smooth
circular arc. If its initial velocity is that due to a fall to the starting point from a height h above
2h
the centre; show that it will fly off the circle when at a height above the centre.
3
(20 marks)

1995
121. Consider a physical entity that is specified by twenty-seven numbers Aijk in a given
coordinate system. In the transition to another coordinate system of this kind, let A ijkBjk
transform as a vector for any choice of the anti symmetric tensor B jk. Prove that the
quantities Aijk-Aikj are the components of a tensor of third order. Is Aijk the components of a
tensor? Give reasons for your answer. (20 marks)
122. Prove that for the common catenary the radius of curvature at any point of the curve is equal
to the length of the normal intercepted between the curve and the directrix. (20 marks)
123. Two uniform rods AB and AC, smoothly jointed at A, are in equilibrium in a vertical plane. The
ends B and C rest on a smooth horizontal plane and the middle points of AB and AC are
W
connected b a string. Show that the tension of the string is  tan B  tan C  , where W is the

total weight of the rods and B and C are the inclinations to the horizontal of the rods AB and
AC. (20 marks)
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124. A semi-ellipse bounded by its minor axis is just immersed in a liquid the density of which
varies as the depth. If the minor axis be in the surface, find the eccentricity in order that the
focus may be the centre of pressure. (20 marks)
125. Two bodies, of masses M and M, are attached to the lower end of an elastic string whose
upper end is fixed and hang at rest; M falls off. Show that the distance of M from the upper

 g 
end of the string at time t is a  b  c cos   t , Where a is the unstretched length of the
 b 
string, and b and c the distances by which it would be stretched when supporting M and M
respectively. (20 marks)

 5 8c 2 
126. A particle of mass m moves under a central attractive force m  3  5  and is projected
r r 

3   2 
from an apse at a distance c with velocity .Prove that the orbit is r  c cos  ,
c  3 
 c2
And that it will arrive at the origin after a time (20 marks)
8 
127. If t be the time in which a projectile reaches a point P in its path and t the time from P till it
reaches the horizontal plane through the point of projection, show that the height of P above
1
g  t  t ' .
2
the horizontal plane is ½ gtt and the maximum height is (20 marks)
8
1994
128. Show that the length of an endless chain which will hang ove a circular pulley of radius a so

 
 3 4 
a
as to be in contact with two-thirds of the circumference of the pulley is   
 log 2  3 3 
 
(20 marks)
129. A smooth rod passes through a smooth ring at the focus of an ellipse whose major axis is
horizontal and rests with its lower end on the quadrant of the curve which is farthest
removed from the focus. Find its position of equilibrium and show that its length must at
 3a a 
least be   1  8e2  where 2a is the major axis and e, the eccentricity..(20 marks)
 4 4 
130. The height of a balloon is calculated from the barometric pressure reading (p) on the
assumption that the pressure of the ai varies as the density. Show that if the pressure
actually varies as the nth power of the density, There will be an error

  n 1
 
 n   pn  po 
ho 1  log
 n 1   p   p  In the calculated height where ho is the height of the
   o   
 
homogeneous atmosphere and po is the pressure at the surface of the earth. (20 marks)

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131. If in a simple Harmonic Motion, the velocities at distances a,b,c from a fixed point on the
straight line which is not the centre of force, be u,v,w respectively show that the periodic time

u2 v2 w2
4 2

T is given by T 2
 b  c  c  a  a  b   a b c
(20 marks)
1 1 1
132. A gun is firing from the sea-level out to sea. It is mounted in a battery h meters high up and

1  
1/ 2
2 gh 
fired at the same elevation . Show that the range is increased by  1  2   1
2  u sin 2   
of itself, u being the velocity of projectile. (20 marks)
133. A particle of mass m is projected vertically under gravity, the resistance of the air being mk
times the velocity. Show that the greatest height attained by the particle is
V2
  log 1     where V is the terminal velocity of the particle and V is the initial vertical
g 
velocity. (20 marks)
1993
134. The end links of a uniform chain slide along a fixed rough horizontal rod. Prove that the ratio
of the maximum span to the length of the chain is

 1 1  2 
 log   Where  is the coefficient of friction (20 marks)
  
 
135. A solid hemisphere is supported by a string fixed to a point on its rim and to point on a
smooth vertical wall with which the curved surface of the sphere is in contact. If  and  are
the inclinations of the string and the plane base of the hemisphere to the vertical prove that
3
tan    tan  . (20 marks)
8

136. A semi circular lamina is completely immersed in water with its plant vertical, so that the
extremity A of its bounding diameter is in the surface and the diameter makes with the
surface an angle . Prove that if E be the centre of pressure and  the angle between AE
3  16 tan 
and the diameter. tan   . (20 marks)
16  15 tan 
137. A point executes simple harmonic motion such that in two of its positions, the velocities are u
and v and the corresponding accelerations are  and . show that the distance between the

v2  u2
positions is . (20 marks)
 

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138. A particle moves under a force

 
m 3au 4  2  a 2  b 2  u 5 , a  b and is projected from an apse at a distance a+b with


velocity Show that its orbit is r = a + b cos. (20 marks)
ab
139. A particle is projected upwards with a velocity u in a medium whose resistance varies as the
square of the velocity.
uV
Prove that it will return to the point of projection with velocity v  after a time
u2 V 2
V  1 u u
 tan tanh 1  where V is the terminal velocity.. (20 marks)
g V V
1992
140. Two equal rods, each of weight wl and length l, are hinged together and places astride a
smooth horizontal cylindrical peg of radius r. Then the lower ends are tied together by a
string and the rods are left at the same inclination  to the horizontal. Find the tension in the
string and if the string is slack, show that  satisfies the equation.
1
tan 3   tan   (20 marks)
2r
141. Define central axis for a system of forces acting on a rigid body. A force F acts along the axis
of x and another force nF along a generator of the cylinder x2+y2=a2. Show that the central
2
 2

axis lies on the cylinder n  nx  z   1  n y  n a .
2 2 4 2
(20 marks)
142. A semicircular area of radius a is immersed vertically with its diameter horizontal at a depth
b. If the circumference be below the centre, prove that the depth of centre of pressure is

3  a 2  4b 2   32ab
(20 marks)
4  3b  4a 

143.
5
 4

A particle is moving with central acceleration  r  c r being projected from an apse at a

 2  3
distance c with a velocity  c . Show that its path is the curve x4+y4=c4 (20 marks)
 3 
144. A particle is projected with a velocity whose horizontal and vertical components are
respectively u and v from a given point in a medium whose resistance per unit mass is k
times the speed. Obtain the equation of the path and prove that if k is small, the horizontal
range is approximately
2uv 8uv 2 k
 (20 marks)
g 3g
145. A particle slides down the arc of a smooth vertical circle of radius a being slightly displaced
from rest at the highest point of the circle. Find the point where it will strike the horizontal
plane through the lowest point of the circle. (20 marks)

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