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Physics Challenges for Teachers and Students

Solutions to January 2005 Challenges


Another Board Game (J1)
Challenge: A board of mass m is placed on a frictionless inclined plane that makes an angle with the horizontal. A block of mass M is placed on the board and is given a quick push up the board with initial velocity v. Find the distance d covered by the block by the time its velocity drops to v/2. The board does not move relative to the plane.

the friction because it is an internal force. The center of mass of the block-board object starts with an initial velocity of M with an acceleration of g sin(). The final velocity is half the original, or
( M +m) v,

M v (M +m) . 2

Using the kinematics equation v 2f = v 2i + 2 a x, one finds that Solution: For m to remain stationary, the upward force of kinetic friction must equal the component of gravity acting down the ramp. Fk = mg sin . The net force acting on M (down the ramp is positive) is therefore Fnet = Mg sin + mg sin = Ma. So: a = g sin (M+m)/M.

3 M ( )v 2 = 2 g sin(R )x . 4 M + m)

(1)

If the center of mass moves a distance x, then the block moves a distance (2)

M +m x. M

Combining Eqs. (1) and (2) yields the answer

3 Mv 2 . 8 g sin( )(M +m )
(Contributed by Kevin Modzelewski, student, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH)

Using v 2 = v02 + 2ad and vf = v/2 gives f Distance = 3v02M/[8g sin (M+m)].

Neither Up Nor Down (J2)


Challenge: An object of mass m rests on an inclined plane that makes angle with the horizontal floor. What is the minimum force F that must be applied to the object in order to move it along the plane parallel to the floor as shown? The coefficient of static friction between the object and the plane is s.

(Contributed by Scott Saltman, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH)


An Alternative Solution:

It is possible to treat the block-board pair as a single object, eliminating the need to consider

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THE PHYSICS TEACHER Vol. 43, 2005

Solution: There are four forces acting on the object: a normal force N perpendicularly away from the incline, gravity mg vertically downward, the applied force F in the direction of motion, and a static frictional force f before the object begins to move. Since the object is about to slide along the plane, the frictional force must be at its maximum value, f = s N. The sum of the force components perpendicular to the incline is zero, so, N = mg cos f = s mg cos . (1)

Now put Eq. (5) into (4) to get (6) where we require s tan , as otherwise the object will slip even in the absence of an applied force. Note that if k s, as is usually the case, then the object will begin to accelerate after it starts moving. (Contributed by Carl E. Mungan, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD)

F = mg s2 cos2 sin2 ,

No Spin Zone (J3)


Challenge: Two cylinders are rapidly spinning in the opposite directions as shown. The axes of the cylinders are a distance d apart. A uniform board of mass M is placed horizontally on the cylinders as shown. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the board and the cylinders is s. Describe the subsequent motion of the board.

On the other hand, the force components parallel to the surface of the incline are sketched in the following free-body diagram.

Note that the frictional force must make some angle as drawn because it initially balances the other two forces on this diagram, F = f cos (2)

for the minimum applied force to get the object to start sliding, and

f sin = mg sin

f =

mg sin sin

.(3)

Solution: Let us put the origin of our reference frame over the midpoint of the axes of the cylinders, at the level of the center of the board, and let us call x the horizontal position of the center of the board in this reference frame (x axis pointing to the right). The vertical equation for the forces acting on the board is N1 + N2 Mg = 0 and the equation for rotational equilibrium is

Substitute Eq. (3) into (2) along with

N1

d d N 2 Mgx = 0 . 2 2

cos = 1 sin2
to obtain

(N1 is the normal at the right cylinder, and N2 at the left cylinder.) From these two equations we obtain (4)

F = mg sin

1 sin2

1.

1 x 1 x N1 = Mg ( + ) and N 2 = Mg ( ). 2 d 2 d
The kinetic friction forces are F1 = k N1 and F2 = + k N2 (the first points to the left, and the second to the right). Applying Newtons second law to the center of the board, we have

Also substitute Eq. (3) into (1) and rearrange to find

cos 1 = s . sin sin


THE PHYSICS TEACHER Vol. 43, 2005

(5)

1 x 1 x Mx = k Mg ( + ) + k Mg ( ) F1 + F2 = Mx 2 d 2 d 2k g 2k g xx x = 0. = + d d
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This is the equation for simple harmonic motion with angular frequency

( 2 =

2k g ). d

L Mg sin , 2

Conclusion: The center of the board will oscillate with period

where L is the length of the rod, M is its mass, and is the angle the rod makes with the vertical. The buoyancy torque is in the opposite direction and equals to
2 Mgx x ( L )sin , L 2

T = 2

d 2k g

around the origin of our reference frame. The amplitude of the motion will depend on the initial situation, i.e., on the initial asymmetry of the board when it is placed on the cylinders. In the original figure, the center of the board seems to be (initially) slightly at the right of our origin, so the board will begin the oscillation moving to the left. (Contributed by Fernando Ferreira, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilh, Portugal)

where x is the distance the rod has been submerged. Equating these and solving for x, we have:
2 Mgx x L ( L )sin = Mg sin 2 2 L 2x x L (L ) = 2 2 L 2 L 2 xL x 2 = 2 L2 0 = x 2 + 2 xL + . 2

Wet Behind the Ears (J4)


Challenge: A thin vertical uniform wooden rod is pivoted at the top and immersed in water as shown. The pivot point is slowly pulled up. At a certain moment, the rod begins to deflect from the vertical. What fraction of the rod is still in the water at that moment if the density of the rod is one-half of the density of water?

Solving the quadratic equation, we get

x = (1

2 )L. 2

When this length of the rod or more is submerged in the water, the rod deflects from vertical. Otherwise, it does not. (Contributed by Peter Sadowski, student, Archbishop Murphy High School, Everett, WA) (Column Editors note: there was a typo in the problem, noticed by many readers; my apologies.) Solution: The rod does not deflect when you pull it up out of the water; it deflects when you dip it down. The rod will begin to deflect when the buoyancy force produces a torque about the pivot equal to the torque created by gravity. The latter is easily calculated as The January problem-solving contest, our first, was a tremendous success. The number of contributions more than tripled compared to last year, stretching the column editor well past his elastic limit The contest was truly worldwide: great contributions came not only from all over the United States but also from Canada, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. For the first time since the inception of this column, the high school students came out in force. The students (and facTHE PHYSICS TEACHER Vol. 43, 2005

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ulty) from Miami Palmetto Senior High School (Miami, FL), Science Academy of South Texas (Mercedes, TX), and Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH) were especially active. The following participants were recognized as the winners of the January contest: Fernando Ferreira (Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilh, Portugal) faculty Carl E. Mungan (U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD) faculty Kevin Modzelewski (Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH) high school student Peter Sadowski (Archbishop Murphy H.S., Everett, WA) high school student Congratulations! We would also like to recognize the following contributors: Benjamin Au, student (Miami Palmetto H.S., Miami, FL) Phil Cahill (Lockheed Martin Corporation, Rosemont, PA) Yvonne Eibeck (San Diego, CA) Sherry Gong (Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH) Michael C. Faleski (Delta College, Midland, MI) Fernando Ferreira (Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilh, Portugal) John F. Goehl, Jr. (Barry University, Miami Shores, FL) Art Hovey (Milford, CT)

Yee Shan Kwok (HHCKLA Buddhist Ma Kam Chan Memorial English Secondary School, Hong Kong) Chor Hang Lam, student (Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE) Jos Costa Leme (Lanheses H.S., Viana do Castelo, Portugal) Octavi Plana (Sant Pere de Ribes H.S., Catalonia, Spain) Bayani I. Ramirez (San Jacinto College South, Houston, TX) Gregory Ruffa (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN) Garima Saraswat, student (Government College of Science, Raipur, India) Atul Utturkar, student (Science Academy of South Texas, Mercedes, TX) Leo H. van den Raadt (Heemstede, The Netherlands) Juan Valdez, student (Science Academy of South Texas, Mercedes, TX) H. Scott Wiley (Science Academy of South Texas, Mercedes, TX) Kai Xiao, student (Herbert H. Lehman H.S., Bronx, NY) We look forward to your contributions in the future!
Please send correspondence to:

Boris Korsunsky korsunbo@post.harvard.edu

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