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Mechanics 3: April 2012
Mechanics 3: April 2012
Revision Notes
April 2012
Contents
1 Furtherkinematics
........................................................................................................................................ 4
2 Elasticstringsandsprings
3 Impulseandworkdonebyvariableforces
4 NewtonsLawofGravitation
11
5 Simpleharmonicmotion,S.H.M.
The basic S.H.M. equation
13
........................................................................... 13
......................................................................................................... 13
6 Motioninacircle1
16
7 Motioninacircle2
20
8 Centresofmass
25
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Mechanics 3 SDB
Further kinematics
We know that
= , and a =
v=
and x =
is the rate of increase of x, therefore it must always be measured in the
Note:
P
x
and
Example: A particle moves in a straight line and passes a point, O, with speed 5 m s-1 at time
t = 0. The acceleration of the particle is given by a = 2t 6 m s-2.
Find the distance moved in the first 6 seconds after passing O.
Solution:
O
P
x
v = 5 when t = 0 c = 5
5
6
x = 0 when t = 0
=0
5 .
First find when v = 0, t = 1 or 5. The particle will change direction at each of these times.
t=0 x = 0
t = 1 x = 2
t=5 x =
t = 6 x = 6
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from t = 0 to 1
from t = 1 to 5
from t = 5 to 6
15
m.
Example: On joining a motorway a car of mass 1800 kg accelerates from 10 m s-1 to 30 m s-1.
The engine produces a constant driving force of 4000 newtons, and the resistance to
motion at a speed of v m s-1 is 0.9v2 newtons. Find how far the car travels while
accelerating.
Solution:
R
2
1800
0.9v2
.
4000
dv
0.9
1800g
= 203.5164527
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Hookes Law
Elastic strings
The tension T in an elastic string is
Elastic springs
The tension, or thrust, T in an elastic string is
T
x
l
Thrust (compressed)
l
Tension (stretched)
1.2
T =
Res
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mg
Pythagoras PL = 1.3
0.5
2T sin = mg
m =
= 18.75
2 18.75
= mg
Mechanics 3 SDB
Example: Two light strings, S1 and S2, are joined together at one end only. One end of the
combined string is attached to the ceiling at O, and a mass of 3 kg is attached to the other,
and allowed to hang freely in equilibrium. The moduli of S1 and S2 are 75 N and 120 N,
and their natural lengths are 50 cm and 40 cm. Find the distance of the 3 kg mass below O.
Solution:
As the strings are light, we can ignore their masses and assume that the
tensions in the two strings are equal.
(The tension is actually constant throughout the length of the combined string.)
0.5
Res
S1
T = 3g
For S1,
T = 3g =
x1
For S2,
0.4
T = 3g =
S2
x2
3g
0.294
= 50
= 0.4
R
T
F
0.15
49
Res R = 49
Box moving F = Fmax = R = 04 49 = 19.6
Res N2L,
T F = 5 02 T = 206
Hookes Law T =
m = 49 98 = 5
= 206 x = 00618
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Example: Two elastic springs, S1 and S2, are joined at each end, so that they are side by side.
The bottom end of the combined spring is placed on a table, and a weight of 60 N is
placed on the top. The moduli of S1 and S2 are 80 N and 100 N, and their natural lengths
are 50 cm and 60 cm . Find the distance of the 60 N weight above the table.
Solution:
I and II
T1
T2
0.5
Hookes Law T1 =
x2
x1
, T2 =
160 x1 +
0.6
60
II
x2 = 60
x1 = x2 0.1
160(x2 0.1) +
x2 = 76
x2 = 60
x2 = 0.2326530612
is the work done in stretching an elastic string from its natural length to an
extension of x.
Similarly W =
is the work done in stretching (or compressing) an elastic spring from its
This expression,
or string.
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.
.
= 0.252 J.
.
.
= 0.028 J,
v = 0.024 = 0.154919338
speed of the teddy bear is 15 cm s-1, to 2 S.F.
Example: A climber is attached to a rope of length 50 m, which is fixed to a cliff face at a
point A, 40 metres below him. The modulus of elasticity of the rope is 9800 N, and the
mass of the climber is 80 kg. The ground is 80 m below the point, A, to which the rope is
fixed. The climber falls (oh dear!). Will he hit the ground?
Solution:
Only an idiot would consider what happens at the moment the
rope becomes tight!
40
Assume the ground is not there how far would he fall before
being stopped by the rope. In this case both his initial and final
velocities would be 0, and let the final extension of the rope be
x m.
Loss in P.E. = mgh = 80 g (40 + 50 + x)
= 80g (90 + x), which increases K.E. and so is positive.
Work done in stretching rope, E.P.E., =
80
= 98 x2
x2 8x 720
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and as
F(t)
I=
Also,
= mV mU
I=
Soution:
I=
0.045V 0 =
=
= mV mU
.
0.0004
0.0008
.
F(t)
= 3.6693333
V = 81.5 m s-1 (or 294 km h-1)
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and as
W=
Also,
W=
2 metres from O, with velocity 8 m s-1 away from O. It experiences a constant resistance
force of 6 newtons. Find the speed of the particle when it is 5 metres from O.
Solution:
6
O
x
8 m s-1
v m s-1
dx =
= 12 J.
Final K.E. = Initial K.E. work done by resistance + work done by force
0.5
0.5
18
12
10 J
V = 40 m s-1.
10
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m
R
M
F=
But we know that the force on m is mg, towards the centre of the earth,
= mg
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GM = gR2
11
Example: A space rocket is launched with speed U from the surface of the earth whose radius
is R. Find, in terms of U, g and R, the speed of the rocket when it has reached a height of
2R.
Solution: Firstly, when the rocket is at a height of 2R,
it is 3R from the centre of the earth.
2R
3R
GM = gR2
= mg
g 2
g 2
dx
= mgR
mV 2 =
V =
12
mU 2 mgR
g
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A
a
O
x
Solving
, A.E. is m 2 = 2
m = i
and if
and that the amplitude, maximum distance from the central point, is a.
c = a2 2
Example: A particle is in simple harmonic motion about O. When it is 6 metres from O its
speed is 4 m s-1, and its deceleration is 1.5 m s-2. Find the amplitude of the oscillation, and
the greatest speed as it oscillates. Find also the time taken to move a total distance of
16 m starting from the furthest point from O.
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13
Solution:
= 2x
1.5 = 6 2
= 0.5
16 = 0.52
= 1.5 when x = 6
taking positive value
a = 10
Starting from the furthest point from O, we use x = a cos t = 10 cos 0.5t
When the particle has moved 16 metres, x = 6
6 = 10 cos 0.5t
to 3 S.F.
Solution:
T1
T2
B
A
O
l
a
and is a tension:
Res 2
T2 =
and is a thrust
=m
, which is the equation of S.H.M., since
= 2
(Note that the diagram still works when the particle is on the left of O. x will be negative, and so
both T1 and T2 will be negative, and will have become thrust and tension respectively.)
14
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= 2
(c) When the particle has moved 1.5a, it is on the left of O and x = 0.5a
v =
0.5
= mg
At a further extension of x,
Res N2L,
Te
e
mg
mg T = m
=m
mg
mg
since
which is S.H.M., 2 =
= mg
The amplitude will be a, and, since this is a string, the mass will
perform S.H.M. only if a e.
Note
If a > e the mass will perform S.H.M. as long as the string remains taut; when the string
is not taut, the mass will move freely under gravity.
If a spring is used then the mass will perform S.H.M. for any a (as long as the mass does
not try to go above the top of the spring).
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15
Motion in a circle 1
Angular velocity
A particle moves in a circle of radius r with constant
speed, v.
Suppose that in a small time t the particle moves
through a small angle , then the distance moved will
be s = r
and its speed v =
and, as t 0, v = r
= r
and so, for a particle moving in a circle with radius r, its speed is v = r
Example: Find the angular velocity of the earth, and the speed of a man standing at the
equator. The equatorial radius of the earth is 6378 km.
Solution:
to 3 S.F.
v2
Acceleration
v
v1
r
v2
v1
2v
as t 0, acceleration
16
= v ,
isosceles triangle
a=
= v
= v
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= =
But
= r2
a =
Notice that as 0, the direction of v becomes perpendicular to both v1 and v2, and so
is directed towards the centre of the circle.
The acceleration of a particle moving in a circle with speed v is a = r2 =
, and is
Alternative proof
If a particle moves, with constant speed, in a circle of radius r and centre O, then its position
vector can be written
r =
cos
sin
sin
cos
= is constant
sin
cos
cos
=
sin
since r is constant
acceleration is r2 (or
cos
sin
since r .
=0
= 2 r
) directed towards O.
in opposite direction to r
Solution:
= 7.2, l = 0.6, m = 3
=
O
r2
=
0.6
T = mr2 = 3(0.6 + x)
Res N2L,
Hookes Law
T =
= (0.6 + x)
7.2
= 12x
.
0.6 2 + x 2 = 36x
(0.6 + x)
x =
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Mechanics 3 SDB
= 12x
= 0.226623537
17
Conical pendulum
Example: An inextensible light string is attached at one end to a fixed point A, and at the
other end to a bob of mass 3kg.
The bob is describing horizontal circles of radius 1.5 metres, with a speed of 4 m s-1.
Find the angle made by the string with the downward vertical.
Solution:
Acceleration =
16
32
32
= 32
T cos = 3g
Res
Dividing tan =
= 47.4o
= 1.08843
1.5
to 1 D.P.
3g
Banking
Example: A car is travelling round a banked curve; the radius of the curve is 200 m and the
angle of banking with the horizontal is 20o. If the coefficient of friction between the tyres
and the road is 0.6, find the maximum speed of the car in km h-1.
R
Solution:
200
200
F
20
mg
For maximum speed (i) the friction must be acting down the slope and (ii) the friction must
be at its maximum, R.
F = 0.6R
I and II
IV V
R cos 20 = F sin 20 + mg
II
F cos 20 + R sin 20 = m
m
mg
g
III
IV
0.6cos20 sin20
cos200.6sin20
18
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R sin = mg
Dividing cot =
But
cot =
v2 = gh
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v =
mg
19
Motion in a circle 2
Proof that a =
If a particle moves in a circle of radius r and centre O, then its position vector can be written
r =
cos
sin
sin
cos
sin
cos
cos
sin
sin
cos
since r is constant
cos
sin
sin
cos
= r2 =
opposite direction to r
20
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(b)
Find the tension in the string when the string makes an angle with the
downwards vertical.
(c)
(d)
Find the greatest height reached by the ball above the lowest point.
Solution:
I = mv mu
(a)
v = 10 m s-1.
5= v
Res
g (2.5 2.5cos)
v2 =
g 2.5(1 cos)
102
v2 = 1005g 5gcos
T =
=
g cos +
2.5
g cos + 20 g + g cos
(c)
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21
v
(d)
path
of ball
43.9
P
O
133.9
At the greatest height, the speed will not be zero, so we cannot use energy to get
straight to the final answer. Therefore we need to start again.
.
at P,
v = 17
ii
R+mg
aa
R + mg = m
v2 ag
From the lowest point, A, to the top, the gain in P.E. is m g 2a = 2mga
The work-energy equation gives
mv2 =
mU 2 2mga
U 2 = v2 + 4ga 5ag
since v2 ag
Note that if U 2 = 5ag the particle will stop at the top (v = 0), and so not make complete
circles
22
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iii
v
mg
aa
O
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mU 2 2mga
Mechanics 3 SDB
since v2 > 0
g.
23
iv
Solution:
R
a
(a)
mg
N2L,
R = mg cos m
(b)
(c)
II
I and II
mg cos R = m
R = mg(3cos 2)
R can never be negative, and so the bead will leave the hemisphere when R = 0
cos =
The only force doing work as the particle falls from the top of the hemisphere to
the ground is gravity. Note that R is always perpendicular to the path and so does
no work.
P.E. lost = mga
Work-energy equation gives
mv2 = 0 + mga
24
v =
2 g
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Centres of mass
When finding a centre of mass
1. Choose a suitable strip, or element.
2. Find the mass of this strip, or element this will involve x or y or z.
3. For the mass you may recognise the shape etc., or you will need M = .
Let x or y or z 0, and the becomes an .
. Let x or y or z 0, and the becomes an
4. You will then need
5.
or
and .
6. You may be able to write down the value of one or more coordinate using the
y2 = x
xi
= 0.
yi
x=4
Take a strip parallel to the y-axis, a distance of xi from the x-axis and width x.
This strip is approximately a rectangle of length 2yi and width x
mass of typical strip = mi 2yi x
y=
and we let x 0
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= 2.4
Mechanics 3 SDB
25
Example: A uniform lamina is bounded by the x- and y-axes and the part of the curve
y = cos x for which 0 x . Find the coordinates of its centre of mass.
y
y = cos x
cos
M =
sin
2) To find
xi
= ( 1)
cos
integrating by parts
1
2
= 1
3) To find we can use the same strips, because the centre of mass of each strip is
approximately yi from the x-axis.
mass of typical strip = mi yi x
cos
centre of mass is at
26
1,
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Example: A uniform lamina occupies the closed region bounded by the curve
and the x- and y-axes. Find the coordinates of its centre of mass.
y
Solution:
y = 2
y=x
y
y
x1
x2
) =
2) To find .
The typical strip is approximately a rectangle of length x2 x1 and height y.
The mass of the strip is mi = (x2 x1)y.
But x2 = 2 y2 (lies on the curve
2
2
mi = (2 yi yi)y
(2 yi2 yi)y
As y 0,
(2 y2 y) dy =
), and x1 = y (lies on y = x)
3) To find .
The centre of mass of the typical strip is
mid-point of strip
(x2 + x1)
(4 5y2 + y4) y
As y 0,
Mechanics 3 SDB
4 5
oh, goody!
=
,
5
14
.
27
Semi-circle, radius r
Sector of circle, radius r, angle 2
Solution:
By symmetry the centre of mass will lie on the axis of
symmetry, OA.
r
2r
compound shape
small semi-circle
r2
Mass
Distance from O
r2 g
2 r2
r2
2 r2
g =
28
large semi-circle
r2
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y = 9
x
x
Mass of disc y x = (9 x) x
2
As x 0,
= 3
By symmetry, = 0
the centre of mass is on the x-axis, at a distance of 3 from the origin.
There are many more examples in the book, but the basic principle remains the same:
find
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or
Mechanics 3 SDB
29
G1
G
G2
2a
, and OG2 = a
hemisphere
a3
Mass
cylinder
2 a3
compound body
a 3
Distance above O
a3
+ 2 a3 (a) =
30
a3
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Centre of mass is 2a
At this point
tan =
a
A
= 36.65610842
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31
20
70o
20o
A
20o
OGA = 114.209
32
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Mechanics 3 SDB
Index
Impulse
Acceleration
v dv/dx, 3
variable force, 9
xdv/dt, 3
Motion in a circle
Angular velocity, 16
Centres of mass
angular velocity, 16
banking, 18
compound bodies, 30
conical pendulum, 18
compound laminas, 28
hemisphere on slope, 32
laminas, 25
vertical circles, 20
solids of revolution, 29
tilting bodies, 31
Force
impulse of variable force, 9
amplitude, 13
basic equation, 13
Gravitation
link between G and g, 11
Newton's law, 11
period, 13
Hookes Law
elastic strings, 5
energy stored in a string or spring, 7
Work
variable force, 10
springs, 5
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v2 = 2(a2 - x2), 13
Mechanics 3 SDB
33