DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

PHY1012F Weekly Problem Set 9 24 April 2015

Discuss problem solving strategies in groups of three, using notes, textbook and tutor help.
Declare on Vula (under Tests & Quizzes) whether or not you have made a reasonable attempt at
answering all the questions on this WPS by 08h00 Friday 8 May.

   
1. For each vector pair A and B shown below, indicate whether A  B points into the page
( ̂ ), out of the page ( ̂ ), or is zero ( 0 ).

   
2. Each figure below shows A and A  B . Determine
 if B is in the plane of the page or
 has
a component perpendicular to the page. If B is in the plane of the page, draw it. If B has
a component perpendicular to the page, state whether that component points into the page
or out of the page.

3. Draw the angular velocity vector on each of these rotating wheels:

4. The figures below show a force acting on a particle. For each, draw the torque vector for the
torque about the origin. Place the tail of the torque vector at the origin. Draw the vector
large and straight (use a ruler if you have one) so that its direction is clear. Use dotted lines
from the top of the vector to the axes to show the plane in which the vector lies.

PTO
  
5. Forces F1 and F2 have the same magnitude and are applied to the

corners of a square plate. Is there a single force F3 that, if applied
to the appropriate point on the plate, will cause the plate to be in
total equilibrium? If so, draw it, making sure it has the right
position, orientation, and length. If not, explain why not.

6. An object whose moment of inertia is

4.0 kgm2 experiences the torque
shown in the figure. Assuming it
starts from rest, calculate the object’s
angular velocity at t = 10.0 s.

7. As a project, your team is given the task of designing a space station consisting of four
different habitats. Each habitat is an enclosed sphere containing all necessary life support
and laboratory facilities. The masses of these habitats are 10 × 105 kg, 20 × 105 kg,
30 × 105 kg, and 40 × 105 kg. The entire station must spin so that the inhabitants will
experience an artificial gravity. Your team has decided to arrange the habitats at corners of
a square with 1.0 km sides. The axis of rotation will be perpendicular to the plane of the
square and through the centre of mass. To help decide if this plan is practical, you
calculate how much energy would be necessary to set the space station spinning at
5.0 revolutions per minute. In your team’s design, the size of each habitat is small
compared to the size of the space between the habitats and the structure that holds the
habitats together is much less massive than any single habitat. How many “g’s” will the
inhabitants experience at 5.0 rpm?

8. A 200 g, 40.0-cm-diameter turntable rotates on

frictionless bearings at 60.0 rpm. A 20.0 g block
sits at the centre of the turntable. A compressed groove
spring shoots the block radially outward along a block

frictionless groove in the surface of the turntable F
where it stops at the outer edge. turntable brake shoe
A brake is then applied to the turntable, as shown,
stopping it in five revolutions. (The coefficient of
friction between the brake shoe and the turntable
is 0.525.) Determine:
8.1 the turntable’s angular speed, in rpm, when the block reaches the edge;
8.2 the magnitude of the force applied by the brake.

Try the following problems from the textbook. Seek help from the Class Tutor if you have any difficulties.
RD Knight, 2nd edition: Chapter 12: 27, 40, 44, 49, 68, 70, 71, 72, 87, 88, 89.
RD Knight, 3rd edition: Chapter 12: 25, 38, 42, 46, 67, 69, 70, 71, 80, 81, 83.
WAH/GL: 22/04/15