DYNAMIC II UNIT: 04

Give a short response to the following questions

1. Why long spanner is used to open or tight nuts of vehicle’s tyre? While tightening a small nut,
extra-long wrench is not suitable. Why?
Long spanner helps to increase the torque which makes easy to open or tight nuts of vehicle’s tyre as 𝝉
1
to d. if moment arm is greater than small force is required to open or tight nuts as F ∝ .
𝑑
While tightening the small nut extra long wrench is not suitable because large torque will produce which
may damage or break the nut. Secondly small nut require less torque which can easily be achieved by
small wrench.
2. Why door knobs are fixed at the edge of door? What will happen it the door knob is at the
middle of the door?
Door knobs are fixed at the edge of the door to maximize torque, making it easier to open. Torque (𝜏)
depends on the force applied (F) and the distance (d) from the pivot (hinges):
𝜏⃑ = 𝐹⃑𝑥𝑑⃑
Placing the knob at the edge maximizes, so less force is needed for sufficient torque. If the knob were
in the middle, would be halved, reducing torque and making the door harder to open.
3. If you drop a feather and a bowling ball from the same height, which one will reach the terminal
velocity first? Which one of them will hit the ground first?

The feather will reach terminal velocity first because it experiences greater air
resistance relative to its weight, causing it to slow down quickly. The bowling ball, on the other hand,
experiences less air resistance relative to its weight, allowing it to accelerate faster and move faster. As
a result, the bowling ball will hit the ground first.
In a vacuum (without air resistance), both would fall at the same rate and hit the ground simultaneously.
4. Why do ice skates effortlessly slide on ice, while your shoes cause skidding?

Ice skates slide effortlessly on ice because the thin blades concentrate the skater’s weight onto a small
area, creating high pressure that slightly melts the ice underneath. This forms a thin layer of water,
reducing friction and allowing smooth sliding. In contrast, shoes have a larger surface area and more
friction, preventing the formation of this water layer and causing skidding instead of smooth sliding.

5. Explain why it’s easier to push a car on flat tyres than inflated ones. What happens to the
frictional force between the tyres and the road?

Ans: Pushing a car with flat tires is easier than with inflated ones because flat tires have a larger contact
area with the ground, increasing friction. When tires are properly inflated, there’s less contact area, so
there’s less friction to overcome when pushing.

6. When standing on a crowded school bus, which stance would provide better stability and
prevent you from being pushed over: legs joined or legs spread apart?

Standing with your legs spread apart provides better stability on a crowded bus. This stance lowers
your center of gravity and creates a wider base of support, making it harder to be pushed over.
Prepared by: Amir Ali
7. Why a moving bicycle is easier to balance? Relate this to the principles of rotational motion.
A bicycle in motion is in rotational equilibrium. From principles of Dynamics of rotational bodies is that
the forces that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation will try to turn the axis of rotation but necessary
forces will arise it cancel these forces due to inertia of rotation and fixed position of axis is maintained.
So it is easy to balance a rotating body
8. Why is a pencil standing on its tip unstable, and what factors affect the stability of an object
Balanced on a point?
A pencil on its tip is unstable because its high center of gravity and small base make it easy to fall over.
Stability depends on the height of the center of gravity, size of the base, and mass distribution. A lower
center of gravity and wider base improve stability.

9. While driving what happens if the driver take the curve too fast? How does centripetal force play
a role in keeping the car from skidding off the road?
The necessary centripetal force must be less than or equal to maximum static friction. If a car goes too
fast , the required centripetal force will exceed static friction, leading to skidding.

10. Consider a situation where you swing a ball connected to a string in a circle. How does the
tension in the string vary as the ball moves across different points in its circular path, and
what forces are involved?
When a ball swings in a circle on a string, the tension varies due to the forces involved:
tension (directed towards the center) and gravity (pulling downward).
At the Top: Tension and gravitational force act downward. Therefore, the net centripetal force
is the sum of these forces.
𝑚𝑣 2 𝑚𝑣 2
Ttop + mg = Ttop = - mg
𝑟 𝑟
At the Bottom: Tension is higher as it has to counteract gravity (opposite direction. Therefore,
the net centripetal force is given by.
𝑚𝑣 2 𝑚𝑣 2
Ttop - mg = Ttop = + mg
𝑟 𝑟
Thus, tension is maximum at the bottom and minimum at the top.
11. Why is it important for communication satellites in geostationary orbit to maintain a specific 0
speed?
Communication satellites in geostationary orbit must maintain a specific speed so they match
the Earth’s rotation. This allows them to stay fixed over one spot on the Earth’s surface,
ensuring continuous communication with the same area.
12. Why rolling friction is greater than sliding friction?
Rolling friction is less than sliding friction because, in rolling, there is less interlocking between
the surfaces. When an object rolls, only a small part of the surface contacts at a time, leading
to minimal interlocking of surface irregularities. In sliding, a larger surface area is in contact,
causing more interlocking, which increases resistance.
13. Compare rolling friction and sliding friction. How are they different in terms of contact
surfaces, motion, and forces involved? Explain with examples.
1. Contact Surfaces:
Rolling Friction: when an object rolls over a surface. The area of contact between the
rolling object (like a wheel or a ball) and the surface is usually small and leading to less friction
due to less interlocking.

Sliding Friction: when two surfaces slide over each other. The area of contact is usually larger,
leading to more friction due to greater surface interlocking.
2. Motion:
Rolling Friction: Involves rolling (Rotatory) motion, where the object rotates as it moves forward.
For example, a car tire rolling on the road.
Sliding Friction: Involves translational motion, where the surfaces slide past one another
without rotation. For example, pushing a box across the floor.
3. Forces Involved:
In rolling friction frictional force is weaker due to less interlocking, making it easier for objects
to roll. In sliding friction frictional force is stronger due to more interlocking and required
more force to move.
14. Identify different sources of centripetal force in real life examples.

four examples of sources of centripetal force in real life:

1. Gravitational Force:
In the case of planets orbiting the sun, gravity provides the centripetal force that keeps them in
their orbits.
2. Tension:
When spinning a ball on a string, the tension in the string acts as the centripetal force, keeping the
ball moving in a circular path.
3. Friction:
For a car turning on a curved road, friction between the tires and the road provides the centripetal
force needed to navigate the curve.
4. Normal Force:
On a roller coaster loop, the normal force exerted by the track on the coaster acts as the
centripetal force, especially at the top of the loop.
15. Write the difference between center of mass and center of gravity.
The center of mass is the point about which mass is distributed uniformly. It depends solely on
how mass is distributed within the object, independent of gravity.
 The center of gravity is the point where the total weight of the object is considered to act. It
depends on the gravitational field because weight is due to gravity.

In a uniform gravitational field (like near Earth's surface), the center of mass and center of gravity
are the same. In non-uniform fields, like acceleration due to gravity decrease with altitude,
therefore for tall objects there is a slight difference.

16. What is a satellite? How do scientists use the concept of orbital speed to lunch satellites
into specific orbits?
A satellite is an object that orbits around a larger body in space due to gravitational forces.
Satellites can be natural, like the Moon orbiting the Earth, or artificial, like man-made devices

launched into orbit to perform tasks such as communication, weather monitoring, or scientific
observation.
To put an artificial satellite into orbit, we first elevate it to a high altitude and then use rockets to
accelerate it to the necessary initial speed. If the speed is too high, the spacecraft may enter
elliptical orbits or escape Earth's gravitational pull entirely. Conversely, if the speed is too low, it
will fall back to Earth. Typically, satellites are positioned in circular orbits for stability and
consistent performance.
17. Define orbital velocity. On what factors does it depend?

Orbital Velocity is the speed at which an object must travel to maintain a stable orbit around a
massive body, such as a planet or star.
Factors Affecting Orbital Velocity:
Mass of the Central Body: A more massive planet or star exerts a stronger gravitational pull,
req uiring a higher orbital speed to maintain a stable orbit.
Distance from the Central Body: The closer an object is to the massive body, the faster it
must travel to stay in orbit. As distance increases, orbital speed decreases due to weaker
gravitational attraction.

Prepared by: Amir Ali