Midterm Examination

Theoretical Mechanics II

Solve the following problems clearly and completely:

1. Find the moment of inertia of a solid sphere of radius R about a diameter.

2. Find the a) moments of inertia and b) products of inertia of a uniform rectangular

plate of sides a and 2a (see figure below). Write down the Inertia Tensor.

x
2a

3. An xyz coordinate system is rotating with respect to an XYZ coordinate system having
the same origin and assumed to be fixed in space (i.e. it is an inertial frame). The
angular velocity of the xyz system relative to the XYZ system is given by

ω = 2ti – t2j + (2t + 4)k where t is the time.

The position vector of a particle at time t as observed in the xyz system is given by

r = (t2 + 1)i – 6tj + 4t3k.

Find the following:

a. Apparent velocity dr/dt at any time t.
b. True velocity dr/dt + ω x r at any time t.
c. Coriolis acceleration at any time t.
d. Centripetal acceleration at any time t.

4. The general equation of motion of a damped oscillator is given by the equation

x ̈ + 2ϒx ̇ + ω2x = 0

where β/m = 2ϒ β=damping constant

Κ/m = ω2 Κ=restoring force constant.

If for a particular oscillator, the equation of motion is

5(d2x/dt2)i = -β(dx/dt)i – 40xi

for what range of values of the damping constant will the motion be a) overdamped,
b) underdamped or damped oscillatory, and c) critically damped.

Good Luck!

Good Luck!