[2020] Physics I.

Mechanics

Quiz 5 – Rotation

Unless specified otherwise, assume g = 9.81 m/s2. All problems are worth 25 points.

Section 1 – Linear and Angular Variables

Problem 1

As shown below, wheel A of radius rA = 10 cm is connected to wheel C of radius rC = 25 cm

by a belt B. The system is initially at rest. At a certain point in time, the angular acceleration
of wheel A becomes  = 1.57 rad/s2. Find the time t needed for the wheel C to complete 20
full rotations, assuming the belt does not slip.
C
B
A
rC
rA

Problem 2

A racing car’s tire with the diameter of D = 380 mm starts rotating from rest with constant
angular acceleration  = 18 rad/s2. The wheel then starts rolling over the ground without slipping.
How much time t is required for the wheel’s center to travel the distance of x = 10 m?

Problem 3

A wheel of radius R = 1.25 m is initially rotating in the positive direction with the angular
speed of 0 = 3.2 rad/s, as shown below. At time t0 = 0 s the wheel instantaneously receives
acceleration  = − rad/s2. Find how much time is required for the elevator A attached to
the wheel’s rim to descend by d = 2.5 m once the wheel receives the acceleration.
0

 x

A
d
[2020] Physics I. Mechanics

Section 2 – Forces and Torques

Problem 4

A cylinder of radius R is placed on a plane inclined at angle  to the horizon and attached to a
wall by a rope at point A, as shown below. Assuming the static friction coefficient to be ,
find the range of angle  corresponding to the equilibrium of the cylinder (no slip). Hint:
when solving, find the torques generated by frictional and pulling forces.

O
 mg

Problem 5

The figure on the right shows 2 blocks of masses m1 = 920 g and m2 = 1 kg,
respectively. The blocks are connected by a massless rope hanged over the
R
pulley, which is mounted on a horizontal axle with negligible friction and
has radius of R = 5 cm. Being initially at rest, both blocks are released. In 5
seconds, block 2 falls 75 cm, without the rope slipping on the pulley. What
is the rotational inertia I of the pulley? Hint: first find linear quantities
(blocks’ accelerations, tensions) and then move onto finding torques and
pulley’s angular acceleration. m1 m2
Problem 6

Two blocks weighing m = 6.2 kg each are connected by a massless rope, as shown below.
The rope is thrown over a pulley, with corresponding tensions on each side being T1 and T2.
The pulley has radius R = 2.4 cm and the moment of inertia of I = 7.40×10−4 kg ·m2. Assume
that the axis of the pulley is frictionless, however there is friction force Ffr between block 2
and the surface. When the blocks are released from rest, the pulley turns through 0.130 rad in
91.0 ms, while blocks move with constant acceleration. What is the magnitude of friction
force Ffr? Hint: first find angular quantities (pulley’s acceleration and torque) and then move
onto finding blocks’ accelerations and tension forces.

T2
m
R

Ffr T1

m
[2020] Physics I. Mechanics

Section 3 – Energy

Problem 7 
A thin rod of length L = 55 cm is falling down from its vertical-up position
while pivoting about one of its ends, as shown on the right. Do the
following: ar
8.1. Find the radial acceleration ar of the top point when the rod makes L
an angle of  = 35 degrees with the vertical (15 pts)
8.2. Find the angle at which ar = g (10 pts)

Problem 8

A sphere (moment of inertia J = 2/3MR2, mass M = 4.5 kg, radius R = 8.5) cm can rotate
about a vertical axis. A massless rope is connected at one its end to a block A of mass m =
0.60 kg, with its other end wrapped around the middle of the sphere. On the way to the sphere,
the rope passes over a pulley of rotational inertia 𝐼 = 0.003 kg∙m2 and radius r = 5.0 cm.
There is zero friction everywhere and the rope does not slip on the pulley. What is the speed
of the object v when it has fallen 82 cm after being released from rest? Use energy
considerations.
M, R

I, r

Problem 9

A thin uniform rod of length L starts falling on the ground from its vertical position. Find the
speed  of the top end of the rod just before it hits the floor, if the bottom end does not slip.
Use the conservation of energy principle.

L 
[2020] Physics I. Mechanics

Section 4 – Rolling

Problem 10

A solid sphere of a given radius rolls smoothly from its original stationary position at
height H = 6 m, as shown below. The sphere then falls from the horizontal section at the end
of the track, at height h = 2 m. Assume there is no friction and no air resistance. How far (d
= ?) from the edge will the ball land on the floor?

H
h

d
Problem 11

A circular object is rolling without slipping on a surface. Assume its total kinetic energy is 20
J. The radius of the object is R = 0.15 m, its rotational inertia I = 2/3mR2 = 0.040 kg·m2
(about the axis going through its center of mass). Answer the following:
11.1. How much of this kinetic energy is rotational and how much is translational? (10 pts)
11.2. What is the speed vcom of the object’s center of mass? (10 pts)

Problem 12

A car wheel is rolling smoothly over a horizontal surface with nonnegligible friction, with its
center of mass pulled by a constant force F = 10 N. The force causes the wheel’s center of
mass to accelerate at the rate of acom = 0.60 m/s2. The wheel’s mass is m = 10 kg and its
radius is R = 0.3 m. What is the rotational inertia I of the wheel about the rotation axis
through its center of mass? Hint: you may need to find the frictional force first.

F
R