SUBJECTIVE SOLVED PROBLEMS

1. The pulley shown in figure has a moment of inertia I about its axis and its I
radius is R. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the two blocks.
R
Assume that the string is light and does not slip on the pulley.
Solution: Suppose the tension in the left string is T1 and that in the right string is T2.
Suppose the block of mass M goes down with an acceleration a and the m
other block moves up with the same acceleration. This is also the tangential M
acceleration of the rim of the wheel as the string does not slip over the rim.
The angular acceleration of the wheel is, therefore  = a/R. The equation
of motion for the mass M, the mass m and pulley are as follows :
Mg - T1 = Ma ...(i)
T2 - mg = ma ...(ii)
T1R - T2R = I  = Ia/R ...(iii)
Putting T1 and T2 from (i) and (ii) into (iii)
a
[M(g - a) - m(g + a)]R = I
R
(M  m) gR 2
which gives a = .
I  (M  m) R 2

2. Two small kids of masses 10 kg and 15 kg are trying to balance a seesaw of total length 5.0
m, with the fulcrum at the centre. If one of the kids is sitting at an end, where should the
other sit ?
Solution: It is clear that the 10 kg kid should sit at the end and the 15 kg kid should sit closer to the
centre. Suppose his distance from the centre is x. As the kids are in equilibrium, the normal
force between a kid and the seesaw equals the weight of that kid. Considering the rotational
equilibrium of the seesaw, the torques of the forces acting on it should add to zero. The
forces are
(a) (15kg)g downward by the 15 kg kid,
(b) (10 kg)g downward by the 10 kg kid,
(c) wieght of the seesaw and
(d) the normal force by the fulcrum.
Taking torques about the fulrcum
(15kg)g x = (10 kg)g (2.5m)
or x = 1.7 m.

3. The ladder shown in figure has negligible mass and rests

on a frictionless floor. The crossbar connects the two legs
of the ladder at the middle. The angle between the two
legs is 600. The fat person sitting on the ladder has a mass
of 80 kg. Find the contact force exerted by the floor on
each leg and the tension in the crossbar.
Solution: The Forces acting on different parts are shown in figure. consider the vertical equilibrium of
“the ladder plus the person” system. The forces acting on this system are its weight (80 kg)g
and the contact force N + N = 2N due to the floor. Thus
 2N = (80 kg)g
or N = (40 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 392 N
Next consider the equilibrium of the left leg of the ladder. Taking torques of the forces acting
on it about the upper end,
N (2 m) tan 300 = T(1 m)
2 2
or T=N = (392 N)  = 450 N.
3 3
4. Two masses M and m are connected by a light string going over a pulley of radius r. The
pulley is free to rotate about its axis which is kept horizontal. The moment of inertia of the
pulley about the axis is I. The system is released from rest. Find the angular momentum of
the system when the mass M has descended through a height h. The string does not slip
over the pulley.
Solution: The situation is shown in figure. Let the speed of the masses be v at time t. This will also be
the speed of a point on the rim of the wheel and hence the angular velocity of the wheel at
time t will be v/r. If the height descended by the mass M is h, the loss in the potential energy
of the “masses plus the pulley” system is Mgh - mgh. The gain in kinetic energy is
2
1 1 1 v
Mv 2  mv 2  I   .
2 2 2 r I
As no energy is lost,
r
1 I  2
 M  m  2 v  (M  m) gh
2 r 
M
m
2(M  m) gh
or v2 
I
M m 2
r
The angular momentum of the mass M is Mvr and that of the mass m is mvr in the same
direction. The angular momentum of the pulley is I = Iv/r. The total angular momentum is

 I  I   2( M  m) gh
( M  m)r  r  v   M  m  r 2  r 
  M m I
r2

 I 
= 2( M  m) M  m  2 r 2 gh
 r 

5. A sphere of mass m rolls without slipping on an inclined plane of inclination θ . Find the
linear acceleration of the sphere and the force of friciton acting on it. What should be the
minimum coefficient of static friction to support pure rolling ?
Solution: Suppose the radius of the sphere is r. The forces acting on the sphere are shown in figure.
They are (a) weight mg. (b) normal force N and (c) friction f.
Let the linear acceleration of the sphere down the plane be a. The equation for the linear
motion of the centre of mass is
mg sin θ - f = ma ...(i)
 As the sphere rolls without slipping, its angular acceleration about the centre is a/r. The
equation of rotational motion about the centre of mass is,
22  a 
fr =  mr  
5  r 
2
or f= ma ...(ii)
5
From (i) and (ii),
5
a g sin θ
7
2
and f  mg sin θ .
7
The normal force is equal to mg cos θ as there is no acceleration perpendicular to the incline.
The maximum friciton that can act is, therefore, μ mg cos θ , where μ is the coefficient of
static friction. Thus, for pure rolling
2
μ mg cos θ > mg sin θ
7
2
or μ > tan θ
7

6. Figure shows two cylinders of radii r1 and r2 having moments of inertia I1 and I2 about their
respective axes. Initially, the cylinders rotate about their axes with angular speeds ω1 and
ω2 as shown in the figure. The cylinders are moved closer to touch each other keeping the
axes parallel. The cylinders first slip over each other at the contact but the slipping finally
ceases due to the friction between them. Find the angular speeds of the cylinders after the
slipping ceases.

 

r1 I1
I2
r2

Solution: When slipping ceases, the linear speeds of the points of contact of the two cylinders will be
equal. If ω'1 and ω'2 be the respective angular speeds, we have
ω'1 r1 = ω'2 r2 ...(i)
The change in the angular speed is brought about by the frictional force which acts as long as
the slipping exists. If this force f acts for a time t, the torque on the first cylinder is fr1 and
that on the second is fr2. Assuming ω1 r1 > ω2 r2, the corresponding angualr impulses are -
fr1t and fr2t. We, therefore, have
 -fr1t = I1( ω'1 ω1 )
and fr2t = I2 (ω'2 ω 2 )

I1 I
or  (ω'1 ω1 )  2 (ω'2 ω2 ) ...(ii)
r1 r2
Solving (i) and (ii),
I1ω1r2  I 2 ω 2 r1 Iωr I ω r
ω'1 = 2 2
r2 and ω' = 1 1 22 2 22 1 r1 .
I 2 r1  I1r2 2 I 2 r1  I1r2

7. A sphere of mass M radius r shown in figure slips on a

rough horizontal plane. At some instant it has translational =v0/2r
r V0
v0
velocity v0 and rotational velocity about the centre is .
2r
A
Find the translational velocity after the sphere starts pure F
rolling.
v0
Solution: Velocity of the centre = v0 and the angular velocity about the centre = . Thus v0 > ω0 r..
2r
The sphere slips forward and thus the friction by the plane on the sphere will act backward.
As the friction is kinetic, its value of μ N = μ Mg and the sphere will be decelerated by
acm = f/M. Hence,
f
v(t) = v0 - t ...(i)
M
This friction will also have a torque T = f r about the centre. This torque is clockwise and in
the direciton of ω0 . Hence the angular acceleration about the centre will be

r 5f
 = f (2 / 5) Mr 2  2 Mr
and the clockwise angular velocity at time t will be
5f v 5f
ω(t)  ω0  t 0  t
2Mr 2r 2 Mr
Pure rolling starts when v(t) = r ω (t)
v0 5 f
i.e. v(t)   t ...(ii)
2 2M
Eliminating t from (i) and (ii),
5 5 v
v(t )  v(t )  v0  0
2 2 2
2 6
or v (t )   3v0  v0
7 7
Thus, the sphere rolls with translational velocity 6v0/7 in the forward direction.
8. A uniform disc of mass m and radius R is rolling without
slipping up a rough incline plane which makes an angle 30º
with the horizontal. If the coefficient of static and kinetic
friction are each equal to  and the only force acting on

the disc are gravitational and frictional, then find direction
and magnitude of the frictional force acting on it.
N
Solution: Since disc does not slip hence frictional force is static
and static friction can have any value between 0 and
N . Component of mg parallel to the plane is mg sin  f
which is opposite to the direction of motion of the centre of mg sin
mg cos
mg
the disc, and hence speed of the centre of mass decreases. 
For pure rolling the relation v c.m.  R must be obeyed.
Therefore  must decrease. Only frictional force can pro-
vide a torque about the centre.

Torque due to friction must be opposite to the  . There frictional force will act up the plane
Now, for translational motion
mg sin   f  ma c.m. … (i)
For rotational motion
fR  I , where I = M.I. of the disc about centre.
a
I cm , as a  R
R
fR 2
 a c.m.  …(ii)
I
From (i) and (ii) we get,
mg sin 
f
mR 2
1
I
Putting the value of  and I we get
f  mg / 6 .

9. A solid cylinder of mass m and radius r starts rolling down an inclined plane of inclination  .
Friction is enough to prevent slipping. Find the speed of its centre of mass when, its centre of
mass has fallen a height h.
Solution : Consider the two shown positions of the cylinder. As it does not slip, total mechanical energy
will be conserved.
Enegy at position 1 is E1  mgh
1
1 2 1 2 h
Energy at position 2 is E 2  mvc.m.  I c.m. 2
2 2

 Vc.m. mr 2
   , and Ic.m. 
r 2
3 2
 E2  mvc.m.
4
From COE, E1 = E2

4
 Vc.m.  gh
3

10. A disc of radius r and mass m rolls without slipping on a r

fixed horizontal circular path of radius R. The speed of the
centre of the disc is v0. Find the angular velocity of the disc
O
about O (the centre of circular track).
R

Solution: Let the angular speed of the disc about its centre be 1 .
As it rolls without slipping on a fixed surface therefore
v0
1  … (i)
r
If angular speed of the disc about the centre O of the centre be 2

v0
Then 1  … (ii)
R
Hence angular velocity of the disc is
 v v
  0 ˆi  0 ˆj
r R
Where î and ĵ are the unit vectors along the radius and normal to the plane (out of the
plane) of the circle respectively.
 v
 |  | 0 r2  R 2
Rr

If  is the angle between vertical and the  then

 V0 / r 
tan  =    R /r
 V0 / R 
   tan 1 (R / r) .

11. A uniform disc of radius R and mass M is spinned to an angular speed 0 in its own plan
about its centre and then placed on a rough horizontal surface such that plane of the disc is
parallel to the horizontal plane. If co-efficient of friction between the disc and the surface is
 then how long will it take for the disc to come to stop.
Solution: Consider a differential circular strip of the disc of radius x
and thickness dx. Mass of this strip is dm = 2   x dx . dx
C x
M
where   . Frictional force on this strip is along the
R 2
R
tangent and is equal to dF = 2 xdx g
Torque on the strip due to frictional force is equal to d  g2x 2 dx disc is supposed to
be the combination of number of such strips hence torque on the disc is given by
   d
R
R3
  g2  x 2 dx  g 2
0 3

2MgR 4 g
   Mg (2 / 3)R   2

 MR  3 R
3 
 2 
The  is opposite to the 
 (t)  0  t
4g
 0  0 – t
3R
30 R
 t .
4g

12. A cylinder of mass m is suspended through two strings

wrapped around it as shown in figure. If cylinder is re-
leased from rest then find
(a) the tension T in the string and
(b) the speed of the cylinder as it falls through a distance h.
Solution: F.B.D. of the cylinder

2T

R
T = tension in each string

side view

mg

(a) Let the axis of the cylinder accelerates vertically down with acceleration a.
For translational motion
mg – 2T = ma … (i)
 For roational motion about the axis

(T)  (mg)  I(axis)

mR 2 a
 2TR = as  = a/R
4T 2 R
a … (ii)
m
from (i) and (ii) we get
mg
T
6
(b) Putting the value of T in equation (ii) we get

a = 2g/3.

Applying v 2 – u 2  2as
4gh
we get v  .
3
Alternate method:
About point of contact with the string cylinder is in rotational motion as instantaneous axis of rotation
passes through it about P
(T)  (mg)  I(axis) 2T

3 R
 0  mgR  mR 2  P
2
2g
  … (i)
3R
Therefore acceleration of the axis is mg
a = R
2g
 a … (iii)
3
For centre equation of the translational motion
2g
mg – 2T = m
3
mg
 T .
6
m1
13. In the system shown in the figure masses of the blocks are m1
O
and m2 and that of the pulley (a uniform disc free to rotate m
about the axle is m. the co-efficient of friction between the
block of mass m1 and the plane is  . At t = 0 block m2 starts m2
descending. The string does not slip on the pulley. Find the
work done by the friction acting on the block m1 over the first t
seconds. Neglect the mass of the string and friction in the axel
of the pulley.
Solution: Tensions in the horizontal and vertical part of the string are different say T1 and T2, because
if tensions are same then pulley will not rotate.
F.B.D. of m1 F.B.D. of m2
N T2

f  m1g T1

m1g m2g

 T1 – m1g  m1a1 … (i)

 m 2 g – T2  m 2 a 2 … (ii)
F.B.D. of the pulley
T1

T2

mR 2
 (T2 – T1 )R  Ic.m.  (T2 – T1 )R  
2
mR
 (T2 – T1 )  … (iii)
2
Adding (i) and (ii) we get
(T1 – T2 ) – m1g  m 2g  m1a1  m 2a 2
Since string does not slip
a 1  a 2  R
 (T1 – T2 ) – m1g  m 2g  (m1  m 2 )R … (iv)
Adding (iii) and (iv), we get
2(m 2 – m1 )g 2(m 2 – m1 )g
  a 1  R 
(2m1  2m 2  m)R (2m1  2m 2  m)
Distance moved by m1 in time t is equal to
(m 2 – m1 )g 2
S t using S  1 at 2
(2m1  2m 2  m) 2
Work done by friction over this distance is equal to
W = –f s
m1 (m 2 – m1 )g 2 t 2
 W .
(2m1  2m 2  m)
14. A uniform rod of mass M and length a lies on a smooth horizontal plane. A particle of mass
m moving at a speed v perpendicular to the length of the rod strikes it at a distance a/4 from
the centre and stops after the collision. Find
(a) the velocity of the centre of the rod and
(b) the angular velocity of the rod about its centre just after the collision.
Solution:

A a  A
b/4 V
m v m

Before Collision After Collision

(a) Conserving linear momentum,

mv = MV
mv
 V
M
(b) Conserving angular momentum of rod A about center of mass,
a Ma 2
mv  I  
4 12
3mv
  .
Ma
O
15. In the shown figure a mass m slides down the friction-
less surface from height h and collides with the uni-
m
form vertical rod of length L and mass M. After colli-
sion the mass m sticks to the rod. The rod is free to h
rotate in a vertical plane about fixed axis through O.
Find the maximum angular deflection of the rod from
its initial position.
Solution: Just before collision velocity of the mass m is along the horizontal and is equal to v 0  2gh .
In the process of collision only angular momentum of the system will be conserved about the
point O.
If L1 and L2 are the angular momentum of the system just before and just after the collision
then
L1 = mv0L
O
 ML2 
and L2  I    mL2  

 3  (L/2)(1-cos)
m
From COAM h
L(1-cos)
M  2
  m  L   mv0 L
 3 
 mv0

 M 
  mL
 3 
Let the rod deflects through an angle 

1 2  ML2 
Initial energy of rod and mass system = I where I    mL2 
2  3 
L
Gain in potential energy of the system = mgL [1 –cos  ] + mg [1 – cos ]
2
 M
  m   gL(1 – cos )
 2
 From conservation of energy
1 2  M
I   m   gL(1– cos )
2  2

1  ML2 2 m 2 v 20  M
  mL   2
  m   gL(1 – cos )
2 3   M  m  L2  2 
 
 3 

1 m 2 v 20  M
  m   gL(1– cos )
2 M   2
 3  m 

1 m 2 v 20 .
cos   1 –
2 M  M 
 3  m   2  m  gL

16. A uniform disc of mass m and radius r is projected horizon-

v0 v
tally with velocity v0 on a rough horizontal floor so that it
starts off with a purely sliding motion at t = 0. At t = t0
seconds it acquires a purely rolling motion.
(a) Calculate the velocity of the centre of mass of the disc at t = t0.
(b) Assuming coefficient of friction to be  calculate t0.
(c) The work done by the frictional force as a function of time
(d) Total work done by the friction over a time t much longer than t0.
Solution: F.B.D. of the disc.
N

f
mg

When the disc is projected it starts sliding and hence there is a relative motion between the
points of contact. Therefore frictional force acts on the disc in the direction opposite to the
motion.
(a) Now for translational motion
f
a c.m. 
m
f =  N (as it slides)
 mg
 a c.m.  – g , negative sign indicates that ac.m. is opposite to v c.m.
 v c.m.(t )  v 0 – gt 0
(v0 – v)
 t0  g
, where v c.m.(t 0 )  v … (i)

For rotational motion about centre

mr 2
f   mg  Ic.m.  mgr  
2
2g
  … (ii)
r
2g
Therefore ( t0 )  0  t 0 , using t  0  t
r
2(v 0 – v)
  … (iii) using (i)
r
v c.m.  r
 v = 2 (v0 –v) using (iii)
2
 v v0
3

Alternative method:
Since frictional force passes through the point of contact,
hence about this point no external torque is acting.
Therefore angular momentum of the disc about point of
contact does not change.
 Initial angular momentum about p is given by
   
L1  0  mv0 r (using L p  L c.m.  r  p c.m. )
When it starts pure rolling its angular momentum about P is given by
L 2  Ic.m.  mvr
for rolling v =  r
P
mr 2 v 3
 L2   mvr  mvr
2 r 2
From COAM
2
L1  L 2  v v0 .
3

(b) Putting the value of v in equation (i)

v0
we get t 0 
3g
(c) Work done by the frictional force is equal to change in K.E.
2
1 1  mr 2   2gt  1
 Wfriction  m(v 0 – gt) 2    – mv 20
2 2  2   r  2

3 
 m   2 g 2 t 2 – v 0gt  , for t  t 0
2 
(d) For time t > t0, work done by the friction is zero.
 for longer time total work done is same as that in part (c)

 3 2 2  v 2 v0  mv02
0
 W  m  g   – v 0g – .
 2  3g  3g  6

17. Two thin circular discs of mass 2 kg and radius 10 cm each

are joined by a rigid massless rod of length 20 cm. the axis O
of the rod is perpendicular to the plane of the disc through
their centres as shown in the figure. The object is kept on a
truck in such a way that the axis of the object is horizontal
and perpendicular to the direction of motion of the truck.
its friction with the floor of the truck is large enough to
prevent slipping. If the truck has an acceleration of 9m/s2
calculate.
(a) The force of friction on each disc.
(b) The magnitude and direction of the frictional torque acting on each disc about the cen-
tre of mass ‘O’ of the object. Take x=axis along the direction of the motion of the truck,
and z axis along vertically upwards direction. Express the torque in the vector form in
terms of unit vectors ˆi, ˆj and k̂ in the x, y, and z directions.
 (c) Find the minimum value of the co-efficient of friction m between the object and the
floor of the truck which makes rolling of the object possible.

Solution: F.B.D. of the object with respect to truck.

N

z
2ma

f x
mg Side view


In the reference frame of truck it experiences a pseudo force F  –2maiˆ ,
where a = acceleration of the truck
Pseudo force does not provide torque about the centre of the disc. Because of this force
object has tendency to slide along –ve x-axis hence frictional force will act along +ve x-axis.
for translational motion.
2ma – f = 2m a  … (i)
Here a  = acceleration of the centre of mass of the object.
For rotational motion
fR = I 
mR 2 a 
 2. . for no slipping  = a/R
2 R
f
 a = … (ii)
m
From (i) and (ii) we get
2 ˆ
f mai
3
f ma ˆ ˆ
 force of friction on each disc is  i  6i N
2 3
1 2
2l
z
O
(b) r1
r2
y

 ma
f1  iˆ
3

r1  – ˆj – Rkˆ
    ˆ  ma ˆi  – maR ˆj  ma kˆ  –6  0.1jˆ  6  0.1kˆ
(f1 )  r1  f1  –(ˆj  Rk)
3 3 3
 –0.6ˆj  0.6kˆ

(f2 )  –0.6ˆj – 0.6kˆ

(c) Maximum value of frictional force is 2  mg

2 a
 ma  2mg   .
3 3g

18. A uniform solid cylinder of radius R = 15 cm rolls over a horizontal

plane passing into an inclined plane forming an angle  = 30° with v0
the horizontal. Find the maximum value of the velocity v0 which still R
permits the cylinder to roll onto the inclined plane section without a 
jump. The sliding is assumed to be absent.
1 1
Solution: Initial energy E1  mv02  Ic.m.2  mgR
2 2

v0
For rolling  
R
1 1 1 v2
 E1  mv02  . mR 2 02  mgR
2 2 2 R
3
 mv 20  mgR
4
1 1
E2  mv2  I c.m.2  mgR cos 
2 2
3
 mv 2  mgR cos 
4
From COE
3 3
mv 2  mgR cos   mv02  mgR
4 4
4
 mv2  mv20  mgR(1  cos ) …(i)
3
F.B.D. of the cylinder when it is at the edge.
Centre of mass of the cylinder describes circular motion about P.
Hence mg cos   N  mv 2 / R

 N  mg cos   mv 2 / R

mv02 4 4
 mg cos    mg  mg cos 
R 3 3
For no jumping, N  0
 7 4 mv02 7gR 4
 mg cos   mg  0  v0  cos   g .
3 3 R 3 3

19. A carpet of mass M made of inextensible material is rolled along its length in the form of a
cylinder of radius R and is kept on a rough floor. The carpet starts unrolling without sliding on
the floor when a negligibly small push is given to it. Calculate the horizontal velocity of the
axis of the cylindrical part of the carpet when its radius reduces to R/2.
Solution: If  is the density of the material of the carpet, initial mass of the carpet (cylinder) M will be
R 2 L while when its radius becomes half the mass of cylindrical part will be
M F  (R / 2)2 L  M / 4
So initial PE of the carpet is MgR while final
(M / 4)g(R / 2)  MgR / 8
So loss in potential energy when due to unrolling radius changes from R to R/2
 MgR  (1/ 8)  (7 / 8)MgR …(i)

R R
2
(A) (B)

This loss in potential energy is equal to increase in rotation KE which is

1 1
K  KT  KR  Mv 2  I2
2 2
If v is the velocity when half the carpet has unrolled then as
2
R M 1 MR 
v  , M  and I     
2 4 2 4  2 
2
1 M 1  MR 2   2v 
K    v2   
2 4  2  32   R 

1 1 3
i.e., K  Mv 2  Mv 2  Mv 2 …(ii)
8 16 16
So from equation (i) and (ii)
(3/16)Mv 2  (7 / 8)MgR
i.e., v  (14gR / 3) .