Name and ID#:__________________________________________________________________

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA

College of Science and Engineering
ENGS 121 Mechanics
QUIZ 05
Date / Time: Friday, February 23 at 08:30
Duration: 50 mins
Attention: ANY TYPE OF COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED

Problem 1: Two blocks m1 and m2 are in contact on a horizontal table. A horizontal force is applied to the
block m1. Find the force of contact between the two blocks using the following values: m1 is the last no-zero
digit of your ID# in kg, m2 is the second no-zero digit from the right end of your ID# in kg, and F is the third
no-zero digit from the right end of your ID# in N.
F1 F1
Solution

m1 and m2 move together  both bodies have the same acceleration a  F = (m1 + m2)a 
𝐹
𝑎=
𝑚1 + 𝑚2
Let F1 be the contact force 
𝑚2
𝐹1 = 𝑚2 𝑎 = 𝐹
𝑚1 + 𝑚2

Problem 2: Two bodies of mass m1 and m2 are connected with a massless rope of length L. They undergo
uniform circular motion about a point on the rope. Their angular velocity is ω radians per second. Find the
tension force in the rope T.
T T
Solution r1 r2
m1 m2
2
Equation of motion of m1 in radial direction: -T = m1a1 = -m1r1ω
Equation of motion of m2 in radial direction: -T = m2a2 = -m2r2ω2
Constraint equation: r1 + r2 = L  m1m2ω2r1 + m1m2ω2r2 = m1m2ω2L  m2T + m1T = m1m2ω2L 
𝑚1 𝑚2
𝑇= 𝜔2 𝐿
𝑚1 + 𝑚2

Problem 3: A block of mass m rotates inside a vertical loop of radius R with a constant speed v. Compute
such value of v, at which the reaction force acting on the block at the top point is three times larger than
block’s weight. The gravity is directed downwards.

Solution mg

𝑑𝑟⃗ 𝑑(𝑟𝑟̂ ) 𝑣
𝑣⃗ = = = 𝑟̇ 𝑟̂ + 𝑟𝜃̇𝜃̂ = 𝑅𝜔𝜃̂ = 𝑣𝜃̂ ⇒ 𝜔 =
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑅 N
2
𝑣
𝑎𝑟 = 𝑟̈ − 𝑟𝜃̇ 2 = −𝑅𝜔2 = −
𝑅
Equation of motion in radial direction: -mg – N = mar 
𝑣2
−𝑚𝑔 − 3𝑚𝑔 = −𝑚 ⇒ 𝑣 2 = 4𝑅𝑔 ⇒ 𝑣 = 2√𝑅𝑔
𝑅

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