TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING
PULCHOWK CAMPUS

ENGINEERING MECHANICS
Tutorial Questions
Chapter-3: Kinetics of Particles – Work Energy Principles

Bachelor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

II/I

Prepared By
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Pulchowk Campus, Pulchowk
2021
 Tutorial Two: Kinetics of Particles – Work Energy Principles

1. A package is projected 10 m up a 15° incline so that it just reaches the top of the incline
with zero velocity. Knowing that the coefficient of kinetic friction between the package and
the incline is 0.12, determine (a) the initial velocity of the package at A, (b) the velocity of
the package as it returns to its original position.

2. An 8-lb collar C slides on a horizontal rod between springs A and B. If the collar is pushed
to the right until spring B is compressed 2 in. and released, determine the distance through
which the collar will travel assuming (a) no friction between the collar and the rod, (b) a
coefficient of friction μk = 0.35.

3. A trailer truck enters a 2 percent uphill grade traveling at 72 km/h and reaches a speed of
108 km/h in 300 m. The cab has a mass of 1800 kg and the trailer 5400 kg. Determine (a)
the average force at the wheels of the cab, (b) the average force in the coupling between
the cab and the trailer.

4. A spring is used to stop a 50-kg package which is moving down a 20° incline. The spring
has a constant k = 30 kN/m and is held by cables so that it is initially compressed 50 mm.
Knowing that the velocity of the package is 2 m/s when it is 8 m from the spring and
neglecting friction, determine the maximum additional deformation of the spring in
bringing the package to rest.

5. A 3-kg collar can slide without friction on a vertical rod and is resting in equilibrium on a
spring. It is pushed down, compressing the spring 150 mm, and released. Knowing that the
spring constant is k =2.6 kN/m, determine (a) the maximum height h reached by the collar
above its equilibrium position, (b) the maximum speed of the collar.

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 Tutorial Two: Kinetics of Particles – Work Energy Principles

6. Two blocks A and B, of mass 4 kg and 5 kg, respectively, are connected by a cord which
passes over pulleys as shown. A 3-kg collar C is placed on block A and the system is
released from rest. After the blocks have moved 0.9 m, collar C is removed, and blocks A
and B continue to move. Determine the speed of block A just before it strikes the ground.

7. A section of track for a roller coaster consists of two circular arcs AB and CD joined by a
straight portion BC. The radius of AB is 90 ft and the radius of CD is 240 ft. The car and its
occupants, of total weight 560 lb reach point A with practically no velocity and then drop
freely along the rack. Determine the normal force exerted by the track on the car as the car
reaches point B. Ignore air resistance and rolling resistance.

8. A 1.2-kg collar C may slide without friction along a horizontal rod. It is attached to three
springs, each of constant k = 400 N/m and 150-mm un-deformed length. Knowing that the
collar is released from rest in the position shown, determine the maximum speed it will
reach in the ensuing motion.

9. The 2-kg collar A starts from rest in the position shown when a constant force F = 100 N
is applied to the cable, causing the collar A to move up the smooth vertical shaft.
Neglecting the mass of the frictionless pulley and the spring, determine the speed of A
when the spring is compressed 50 mm.

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 Tutorial Two: Kinetics of Particles – Work Energy Principles

10. A 3-kg block rests on top of a 2-kg block supported by, but not attached to, a spring of
constant 40 N/m. The upper block is suddenly removed. Determine (a) the maximum speed
reached by the 2-kg block, (b) the maximum height reached by the 2-kg block.

11. A piston of mass m and cross-sectional area A is in equilibrium under the pressure p at the
center of a cylinder closed at both ends. Assuming that the piston is moved to the left a
distance a/ 2 and released and knowing that the pressure on each side of the piston varies
inversely with the volume, determine the velocity of the piston as it again reaches the center
of the cylinder. Neglect friction between the piston and the cylinder and express your
answer in terms of m, a, p, and A.

12. The elevator E has a weight of 6600 lb when fully loaded and is connected as shown to a
counterweight W of weight of 2200 lb. Determine the power in hp delivered by the motor
(a) when the elevator is moving down at a constant speed of 1 ft/s, (b) when it has an upward
velocity of 1 ft/s and a deceleration of 0.18 ft/s2.

13. A 2.5-lb collar is attached to a spring and slides along a smooth circular rod in a vertical
plane. The spring has an undeformed length of 4 in. and a spring constant k. The collar is
at rest at point C and is given a slight push to the right. Knowing that the maximum velocity
of the collar is achieved as it passes through point A, determine (a) the spring constant k,
(b) the force exerted by the rod on the collar at point A.

14. A 4-lb collar can slide without friction along a horizontal rod and is in equilibrium at A
when it is pushed 1 in. to the right and released from rest. The springs are undeformed when
the collar is at A and the constant of each spring is 2800 lb/in. Determine the maximum
velocity of the collar.

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 Tutorial Two: Kinetics of Particles – Work Energy Principles

15. A 1-lb collar is attached to a spring and slides without friction along a circular rod in a
vertical plane. The spring has an undeformed length of 5 in. and a constant k = 10 lb/ft.
Knowing that the collar is released from being held at A, determine the speed of the collar
and the normal force between the collar and the rod as the collar passes through B.

16. Each of the two elastic rubber bands of the slingshot has an unstretched length of 200 mm.
If they are pulled back to the position shown and released from rest, determine the
maximum height the 25-g pellet will reach if it is fired vertically upward. Neglect the mass
of the rubber bands and the change in elevation of the pellet while it is constrained by the
rubber bands. Each rubber band has a stiffness k = 50 N/m.

17. The spring in the toy gun has an unstretched length of 100 mm. It is compressed and locked
in the position shown. When the trigger is pulled, the spring unstretches 12.5 mm, and the
20-g ball moves along the barrel. Determine the speed of the ball when it leaves the gun.
Neglect friction.

18. The 6-lb block is released from rest at A and slides down the smooth parabolic surface.
Determine the maximum compression of the spring.

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