System of Particles and Rotational Motion
Chhattisgarh Board · Class 11 · Physics
NCERT Solutions for System of Particles and Rotational Motion — Chhattisgarh Board Class 11 Physics.
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EXERCISES
6.1Give the location of the centre of mass of a (i) sphere, (ii) cylinder, (iii) ring, and (iv) cube, each of uniform mass density. Does the centre of mass of a body necessarily lie inside the body?Show solution
(i) Sphere: The CM is at the geometric centre of the sphere, i.e., at the centre point equidistant from all points on the surface.
(ii) Cylinder: The CM is at the midpoint of the axis of the cylinder, i.e., at the geometric centre on the axis of symmetry.
(iii) Ring: The CM is at the geometric centre of the ring, which lies at the centre of the circle (not on the material of the ring itself).
(iv) Cube: The CM is at the geometric centre of the cube, i.e., at the point of intersection of the body diagonals.
Does the CM necessarily lie inside the body?
No, the centre of mass does not necessarily lie inside the body. For example:
- For a ring, the CM lies at the centre of the ring, which is not part of the material of the ring.
- For a hollow sphere or a horseshoe-shaped object, the CM lies outside the material of the body.
Thus, the CM can lie outside the body.
6.2In the HCl molecule, the separation between the nuclei of the two atoms is about (). Find the approximate location of the CM of the molecule, given that a chlorine atom is about 35.5 times as massive as a hydrogen atom and nearly all the mass of an atom is concentrated in its nucleus.Show solution
- Separation between H and Cl nuclei:
- Mass of Cl atom: where = mass of H atom
- Mass of H atom:
Setting up coordinates:
Let the H nucleus be at the origin () and the Cl nucleus be at .
Formula for CM:
Substituting values:
Conclusion: The CM of the HCl molecule is located approximately from the hydrogen atom (or from the Cl nucleus), i.e., very close to the heavier chlorine atom.
6.3A child sits stationary at one end of a long trolley moving uniformly with a speed on a smooth horizontal floor. If the child gets up and runs about on the trolley in any manner, what is the speed of the CM of the (trolley + child) system?Show solution
- Initial speed of the system (trolley + child) =
- The floor is smooth (frictionless), so no external horizontal force acts on the system.
- The child runs about on the trolley — this is an internal action.
Concept: When no external force acts on a system, the velocity of the centre of mass remains constant (Newton's first law applied to the system).
Since and total mass is constant:
The running of the child on the trolley is an internal action and cannot change the momentum of the system.
Answer: The speed of the CM of the (trolley + child) system remains , unchanged.
6.4Show that the area of the triangle contained between the vectors and is one half of the magnitude of .Show solution
Proof:
Let vectors and be represented by two sides of a triangle (with the same tail/origin), and let be the angle between them.
The two vectors and form a parallelogram. The triangle formed between and is exactly half of this parallelogram.
Area of the parallelogram formed by and :
This is because the cross product has magnitude , which equals the area of the parallelogram with sides and and included angle .
Area of the triangle = base height
The base of the triangle is and the height is .
Since the triangle occupies exactly half the area of the parallelogram:
Hence proved.
6.5Show that is equal in magnitude to the volume of the parallelepiped formed on the three vectors , and .Show solution
Proof:
Let and be two sides of the base of the parallelepiped, and be the third edge.
Step 1: Area of the base
The cross product gives a vector whose:
- Magnitude = Area of the parallelogram base (where is the angle between and )
- Direction is perpendicular to the base (along the normal to the base)
So, = Area of base
Step 2: Height of the parallelepiped
Let be the angle between and the vector (i.e., the normal to the base).
The height of the parallelepiped:
Step 3: Volume
Step 4: Scalar triple product
Comparing:
Hence proved.
6.6Find the components along the axes of the angular momentum of a particle, whose position vector is with components and momentum is with components and . Show that if the particle moves only in the - plane the angular momentum has only a -component.Show solution
- Position vector:
- Momentum:
Angular momentum:
Evaluating the cross product:
Components of angular momentum:
Special case: Motion in the - plane
If the particle moves only in the - plane, then:
- (particle stays in the plane)
- (no momentum component perpendicular to the plane)
Substituting and :
Therefore, when the particle moves in the - plane, the angular momentum has only a -component:
Hence proved.
6.7Two particles, each of mass and speed , travel in opposite directions along parallel lines separated by a distance . Show that the angular momentum vector of the two particle system is the same whatever be the point about which the angular momentum is taken.Show solution
- Two particles, each of mass and speed
- They travel in opposite directions along parallel lines
- The parallel lines are separated by a distance
Setup:
Let particle 1 move along the line in the direction, and particle 2 move along the line in the direction.
Let the reference point be at coordinates .
Angular momentum of particle 1 about P:
Position of particle 1 relative to :
Momentum of particle 1:
Angular momentum of particle 2 about P:
Position of particle 2 relative to :
Momentum of particle 2:
Total angular momentum:
The total angular momentum is independent of and (the coordinates of the reference point ).
Hence, the angular momentum of the two-particle system is the same whatever be the point about which it is calculated.
6.8A non-uniform bar of weight is suspended at rest by two strings of negligible weight as shown in Fig. 6.33. The angles made by the strings with the vertical are and respectively. The bar is long. Calculate the distance of the centre of gravity of the bar from its left end.Show solution
- Weight of bar =
- Angle of left string with vertical:
- Angle of right string with vertical:
- Length of bar =
- Bar is in static equilibrium
Let = tension in left string, = tension in right string.
Condition 1: Translational equilibrium (vertical)
The strings are attached to the ceiling and make angles with the vertical. The horizontal components of tension must balance each other, and vertical components must support .
For the bar in equilibrium:
Condition 2: Translational equilibrium (horizontal)
Using , , , :
From equation (2):
Substituting in equation (1):
From (3):
Condition 3: Rotational equilibrium (torques about left end)
Taking torques about the left end of the bar:
- Torque due to (at left end) = 0
- Torque due to (at distance , clockwise) =
- Torque due to (at right end, i.e., at , anticlockwise) =
For rotational equilibrium:
The centre of gravity of the bar is at from the left end.
6.9A car weighs . The distance between its front and back axles is . Its centre of gravity is behind the front axle. Determine the force exerted by the level ground on each front wheel and each back wheel.Show solution
- Mass of car:
- Distance between axles:
- Distance of CG from front axle:
- Distance of CG from back axle:
-
Weight of car:
Let = total reaction force on both front wheels, = total reaction force on both back wheels.
Condition 1: Translational equilibrium (vertical)
Condition 2: Rotational equilibrium
Taking torques about the front axle:
From equation (1):
Force on each wheel:
Since there are 2 front wheels and 2 back wheels:
6.10Torques of equal magnitude are applied to a hollow cylinder and a solid sphere, both having the same mass and radius. The cylinder is free to rotate about its standard axis of symmetry, and the sphere is free to rotate about an axis passing through its centre. Which of the two will acquire a greater angular speed after a given time?Show solution
- Equal torque applied to both
- Same mass and radius
- Same time
Moment of inertia:
For a hollow cylinder about its axis of symmetry:
For a solid sphere about an axis through its centre:
Clearly: I_{\text{sphere}} < I_{\text{cylinder}}
Angular acceleration:
Using :
Since \frac{5}{2} > 1:
\alpha_{\text{sphere}} > \alpha_{\text{cylinder}}
Angular speed after time (starting from rest):
\omega_{\text{sphere}} = \frac{5\tau t}{2mR^2} > \omega_{\text{cylinder}} = \frac{\tau t}{mR^2}
Conclusion: The solid sphere will acquire a greater angular speed after a given time, because its moment of inertia is smaller () compared to the hollow cylinder (), and hence it has a larger angular acceleration for the same applied torque.
6.11A solid cylinder of mass rotates about its axis with angular speed . The radius of the cylinder is . What is the kinetic energy associated with the rotation of the cylinder? What is the magnitude of angular momentum of the cylinder about its axis?Show solution
- Mass:
- Angular speed:
- Radius:
Moment of inertia of solid cylinder about its axis:
Kinetic energy of rotation:
Angular momentum:
6.12(a) A child stands at the centre of a turntable with his two arms outstretched. The turntable is set rotating with an angular speed of 40 rev/min. How much is the angular speed of the child if he folds his hands back and thereby reduces his moment of inertia to 2/5 times the initial value? Assume that the turntable rotates without friction.
(b) Show that the child's new kinetic energy of rotation is more than the initial kinetic energy of rotation. How do you account for this increase in kinetic energy?Show solution
Given:
- Initial angular speed:
- New moment of inertia:
- No external torque (frictionless turntable)
Applying conservation of angular momentum:
(b) Comparing kinetic energies:
Initial kinetic energy:
Final kinetic energy:
Ratio:
Thus K_2 > K_1, i.e., the new kinetic energy is 2.5 times the initial kinetic energy.
Account for the increase: The increase in kinetic energy comes from the work done by the child in folding his arms against the centrifugal force (in the rotating frame) or equivalently, the child uses his internal (muscular) energy to pull his arms inward. This internal energy is converted into the additional kinetic energy of rotation. Angular momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not, since an internal force does work on the system.
6.13A rope of negligible mass is wound round a hollow cylinder of mass and radius . What is the angular acceleration of the cylinder if the rope is pulled with a force of ? What is the linear acceleration of the rope? Assume that there is no slipping.Show solution
- Mass of hollow cylinder:
- Radius:
- Force applied on rope:
Moment of inertia of hollow cylinder about its axis:
Torque applied:
Angular acceleration:
Using :
Linear acceleration of the rope:
Since there is no slipping, the linear acceleration of the rope equals the tangential acceleration at the rim:
6.14To maintain a rotor at a uniform angular speed of , an engine needs to transmit a torque of . What is the power required by the engine? (Note: uniform angular velocity in the absence of friction implies zero torque. In practice, applied torque is needed to counter frictional torque). Assume that the engine is efficient.Show solution
- Angular speed:
- Torque:
- Efficiency = 100%
Formula for power in rotational motion:
Substituting values:
Note: The torque is needed to overcome friction. Since the engine is 100% efficient, all the power input goes into maintaining the angular speed against frictional torque.
6.15From a uniform disk of radius , a circular hole of radius is cut out. The centre of the hole is at from the centre of the original disc. Locate the centre of gravity of the resulting flat body.Show solution
- Original disk: radius , uniform surface mass density
- Hole: radius , centre at distance from centre of original disk
Method: Treat the removed portion as a negative mass.
Mass of original disk:
Mass of removed circular portion:
Mass of remaining body:
Setting up coordinates:
Let the centre of the original disk be at the origin. Let the centre of the hole be at (on the positive -axis).
Centre of mass of original disk:
Centre of mass of removed portion:
Using the formula for CM of composite body:
The original disk = remaining body + removed portion
The centre of gravity of the resulting flat body is at a distance from the centre of the original disk, on the side opposite to the hole (i.e., at ).
6.16A metre stick is balanced on a knife edge at its centre. When two coins, each of mass 5 g are put one on top of the other at the 12.0 cm mark, the stick is found to be balanced at 45.0 cm. What is the mass of the metre stick?Show solution
- Metre stick initially balanced at 50 cm (centre)
- Two coins, each of mass 5 g, placed at 12.0 cm mark
- New balance point: 45.0 cm
- Total mass of coins:
Concept: When balanced at 45.0 cm, the net torque about the new pivot (45.0 cm) is zero.
Let = mass of the metre stick. The CM of the metre stick is at 50.0 cm.
Taking torques about the new pivot at 45.0 cm:
- Distance of coins (at 12.0 cm) from pivot: (on the left side)
- Distance of CM of stick (at 50.0 cm) from pivot: (on the right side)
Rotational equilibrium:
Anticlockwise torque = Clockwise torque
The mass of the metre stick is 66 g.
6.17The oxygen molecule has a mass of and a moment of inertia of about an axis through its centre perpendicular to the lines joining the two atoms. Suppose the mean speed of such a molecule in a gas is and that its kinetic energy of rotation is two thirds of its kinetic energy of translation. Find the average angular velocity of the molecule.Show solution
- Mass of O₂ molecule:
- Moment of inertia:
- Mean speed:
-
Kinetic energy of translation:
Kinetic energy of rotation:
Finding angular velocity:
The average angular velocity of the oxygen molecule is approximately .
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