Physics 11 Fall 2012

Practice Problems 6 - Solutions

1. Two points are on a disk that is turning about a fixed axis perpendicular to the disk
and through its center at increasing angular velocity. One point is on the rim and the
other point is halfway between the rim and the center.
(a) Which point moves the greater distance in a given time?
(b) Which point turns through the greater angle?
(c) Which point has the greater speed?
(d) Which point has the greater angular speed?
(e) Which point has the greater tangential acceleration?
(f) Which point has the greater angular acceleration?
(g) Which point has the greater centripetal acceleration?

Solution
(a) The point on the rim travels a greater distance in the same amount of time, since
it has to make a bigger orbit.
(b) Both points move through the same angle.
(c) The speed is v = r. Since point particles change their angle by the same amount
in the same time, the point with the bigger radius has the bigger velocity. So, the
point on the rim moves with the greater speed.
(d) Since the angular speed is , and both points travel through the same angle in
the same time, they both have the same angular speed.
(e) The problem states that the disk is turing at increasing angular velocity, and
so is increasing. Thus, v = r is increasing. The tangential acceleration is
atang = r. So, the particle with the bigger radius has the bigger tangential
acceleration; i.e., the point on the rim has the bigger tangential acceleration.
(f) The angular acceleration is , and is the same for both points.
(g) The centripetal acceleration is acent = v 2 /r = (r)2 /r = r 2 . Since is the same
for both points, the point on the rim has the bigger centripetal acceleration, since
it has the bigger value of r.

2. What is the angular speed of Earth in radians per second as it rotates about its axis?

Solution
. The Earth rotates through an angle of 2 radians in 24
The angular speed is =
t
hours. 24 hours is 24 3600 seconds, or 86,400 seconds. So, the angular speed is
Earth =

2
=
= 7.3 105 rad/sec.
t
86400

I = 2 52 (0.500 kg )(0.0500 m ) + (0.500 kg )(0.200 m ) + 121 (0.0600 kg )(0.300 m )

2

= 0.0415 kg m 2
difference
andfour
I app is:
3.The
Thepercent
methane
moleculebetween
(CH4 ) Ihas
hydrogen atoms located at the vertices of
a regular tetrahedron of edge length 0.18
II
0.0415 kg m 2 0.0400 kg m 2
nm, with the carbonappatom
= at the center
= 3.6 %
2
I
0.0415
of the tetrahedron. Find the moment
of kg m
inertia of this molecule for rotation about
an axis that passes through the centers of
(bthe
) The
rotational inertia would increase because Icm of a hollow sphere is greater
carbon atom and one of the hydrogen
than
Icm of a solid sphere.
atoms.
49

The methane molecule (CH4) has four hydrogen atoms located at the
vertices of a regular tetrahedron of edge length 0.18 nm, with the carbon atom at
the center of the tetrahedron (Figure Solution
9-48). Find the moment of inertia of this
molecule for rotation about an axis that passes through the centers of the carbon
Because
of rotation
is through
atom
and the
oneaxis
of the
hydrogen
atoms. the

carbon and one of the hydrogens, neither

of these atoms contribute. The moment of
Picture
axis of
inertia is the
then Problem
due only toThe
the remaining
rotation
passes through
the center
of theis
three hydrogens.
The moment
of inertia

base of the 3tetrahedron. The

carbon
3
X
X
atom andI the
atom
atri2the
= hydrogen
mi ri2 = m
, apex
H
i=1
i=1
of the tetrahedron
do not contribute
to I
because
of identical.
their nuclei
since all the
of thedistance
masses are
Now
the radii
are also
all equalis iszero.
is just
the
from
the axis
of rotation
From
distance
from the
hydrogen
the
the
geometry,
the central
distance
of the to
three
atoms on the vertex. if the distance beH nuclei from the rotation axis is
tween the hydrogens is a, then the radius
ais/ 3 , where a is the length of a side
a 2
a
a 1
= = .
r=
of the tetrahedron.

2 cos 30

C
H

H
a

Apply the definition of the moment

So, we find that
of inertia for a system of particles to
I =
obtain:

I = mi ri 2 = mH r12 + mH r22 + mH r32

Substitute numerical values and

evaluate I:

I = 1.67 10 27 kg 0.18 10 9 m

i

2

2
3mH
a
= mH a 2
=
mH=a 3mH
3 2
= (1.67 1027 ) (0.18 109 )
=
5.41 1047 kg m2 .
a
3
2

)(

= 5.4 10 47 kg m 2

4. During most of its lifetime, a star maintains an equilibrium size in which the inward
force of gravity on each atom is balanced by an outward pressure force due to the heat of
the nuclear reactions in core. But after all the hydrogen fuel is consumed by nuclear
fusion, the pressure force drops and the star undergoes gravitational collapse until it
becomes a neutron star. In a neutron star, the electrons and protons are squeezed
together by gravity until they form neutrons. Neutron stars spin very rapidly and emit
intense pulses of radio and light waves, one pulse per rotation. These pulsing stars
were discovered in the 1960s and are called pulsars.
(a) A star with the mass (M = 2.0 1030 kg) and size (R = 7.0 108 m) of our
sun rotates once every 30 days. After undergoing gravitational collapse, the star
forms a pulsar that is observed by astronomers to emit radio pulses every 0.10
seconds. By treating the neutron star as a solid sphere, deduce its radius.
(b) What is the speed of a point on the equator of the neutron star? Your answer will
be somewhat too large because a star cannot be accurately modeled as a solid
sphere. Even so, you will be able to show that a star, whose mass is 106 larger
than the earths, can be compressed by gravitational forces to a size smaller than
a typical state in the United States!

Solution
(a) As the star collapses, it speeds up by the conservation of angular momentum. Its
initial angular momentum is Li = M vi Ri = M Ri2 i = 2fi M Ri2 , where we have
recalled that v = R, and that = 2f , where f is the rotation frequency. The
angular momentum after the collapse is, then, Lf = 2ff M Rf2 . Conservation of
angular momentum says that Li = Lf , and so
s
r
fi
Tf
Rf =
Ri =
Ri ,
ff
Ti
where weve re-expressed the radius in terms of the rotation period. Now, the
initial frequency is once per 30 days, so Ti = 3600 24 30 = 2.6 106 seconds,
while Tf = 0.10 seconds. Thus,
r
r
Tf
0.1
Ri =
7 108 = 1.37 105 m = 137 km.
Rf =
Ti
2.6 106
(b) The speed of a point on the equator is v = Rf f = 2Rf /T = 2(1.37105 )/0.1 =
8.6 106 m/s.

nus sign is a consequence of the fact that the frictional torque

motion of the wheel.
5. A pendulum consisting of a string of length L attached to a bob of mass m swings in
a vertical plane. When the string is at an angle to the vertical,
P
(a) calculate the tangential acceleration of the bob using
Ft = mat .

pendulum consisting of a string of length L attached to a bob of

(b) What
is the torque
exerted about the pivot point?
gs in a vertical
plane.
P When the string is at an angle to the vertic
(c) Show that = I with a = L gives the same tangential acceleration as found
in Part (a).the tangential acceleration of the bob? (b) Wh
Ft = ma t , calculate
t

exerted about the pivot point? (c) Show that = I with a t = L

Solution

The pendulum is seen

the figure toin
the Part (a).
e tangential(a)acceleration
asin found
right. The only tangential force is the component of gravity along the rotation path,

Problem The pendulum

F = mg sin .
s acting on it are
Since Fshown
= ma , thenin
we just solve for the
acceleration,
y diagram. Note
that the
F
= g sin .
a =
e string is radial, and mso
(b) The
torque
is just
= rF , where r = L is
gential force
on
the
ball.
nd the distance from the pivot point. So,
Newtons 2 law in both
= mgL sin .
and rotational
form to find
(c) The torque is = I. Since the string
is massless
and allthe
the mass is in the bob,
al component
of
then I = mr = mL . So, = mgL sin =
mL . Furthermore, since = /I =
of the bob.
t

r
T

at /L, then at =
at =

L
,
I

r
mg

or

L
mgL2 sin
=
= g sin ,
I
mL2

which is the same result we found in part

(a).

to the free-body
ress the component of
gent to the circular path

nd

s 2 law to express the

Ft = mg sin

a =

Ft

mg sin

= g sin

6. A uniform 1.5 m diameter ring is pivoted

at a point on its perimeter so that it is
free to rotate about a horizontal axis that
is perpendicular to the plane of the ring.
The ring is released with the center of the
ring at the same height as the axis.
(a) If the ring was released from rest,
what was its maximum angular
speed?
(b) What minimum angular speed must
it be given at release if it is to rotate
a full 360 ?

Solution
(a) When the ring is just hanging straight down, it has zero potential energy. When
its released from its initial height, h = R, then it has potential energy mgh =
mgR. Now, at the bottom of the path, all the energy is kinetic. Since its rotating,
the energy is all rotational kinetic energy, KE = 12 I 2 . Whats I? We can look
up the moment of inertia of the ring about an axis through the center to find
I = mR2 . Since the ring is rotating about its rim, then we can use the parallel
axis theorem to write the moment of inertia about the rim as Irim = Icenter +md2 =
mR2 + mR2 = 2mR2 . So, the kinetic energy is KE = 12 I 2 = mR2 2 .
So, if energy is conserved, then KE = P E mR2 2 = mgR. Solving for gives
r
g
.
=
R
Plugging in the numbers gives
r
r
g
9.8
=
=
= 3.61 rad/sec.
R
0.75
(b) Now we want to figure out how fast wed need to rotate it around in order for it
to rotate to the top. In this case, it still has the same kinetic energy, for some ,
KE = mR2 2 . Now it has to get to the top, changing its height by R, so
p that
its final potential energy is P E = mgR. Solving for KE = P E = g/R,
exactly the same as in part (a).

890 Chapter 9

7. A uniform solid sphere of mass M and radius R is free rotate about a horizontal axis
is wrapped
A uniform solid sphere of mass M and radius R is free t
through its center. 77
A string
around the sphere and
is attached
to through
an
horizontal
axis
its center. A string is wrapped around the s
object of mass m. Assume
that
the
string
attached to an object of mass m (Figure 9-58). Assume that the stri
does not slip on the sphere. Find
(a)

on the sphere. Find (a) the acceleration of the object, and (b) the te
the accelerationstring.
of the object and

(b) the tension in the string.

Picture the Problem The force diagram shows the forces acting
responsible
acceleration ofSolution
the sphere and the difference between the weight o
the tension is the net force acting on the hanging object. We can us
We can draw the force diagram for the syslaw to obtain two equations in a and T that we can solve simultane

and the hanging object. The tension in the string is

(a)

tem as seen in to the right. The weight of

the block creates a torque on the wheel,
causing it to rotate. We can write down
the net forces and torques acting on the
system. For the sphere,
X
= T R = I.

F
T
R
0

While for the hanging mass, calling the

vertical direction x,
X
Fx = T mg = ma.

mg

Now, since the string

isnt slipping
wheel, the angular acceleration
(a) Noting
that Taround
= T , the
apply
=2TRis=
2 0
just = a/R. Furthermore, the
moment
of
inertia
for
a
sphere
is
I
=
M R . So,
nd
5
Newtons
2
law
to
the
sphere
and
we find the following system of equations
and

the hanging object:

2
T =
Ma
5
T = m (g a) .

I sphere

= mg T = ma

Setting these twoSubstitute

expressionsfor
equal
to each
acceleration
Isphere
andother
inand solving for the
2
2
=
TR
MR
5
gives
equation (1) to obtain:g
a=
.
1 + 2M
5m

) Ra

Eliminate
T between
(2) T = 2 M a to findg
(b) Now we just substitute
this result
back inequations
to the expression
5
and (3) and solve for a to obtain:

a=

1+

2 Mg
2M mg
T =
=
.
2M
5 1 + 5m
5m + 2M

(b) Substitute for

7 a in equation (2)
and solve for T to obtain:

T=

2M
5m

2mMg
5m + 2 M

8. A basketball rolls without slipping down an incline of angle . The coefficient of static
friction is s . Model the ball as a thin spherical shell. Find

Picture
Problem
three
(a) the acceleration
of the the
center
of mass of The
the ball,

forces acting on the basketball a

the
ball,
theonnormal
force, and the force of friction. Because th
(b) the frictional
force
acting
the ball, and
assumed
to be
acting
at the
the normal force
(c) the maximum
angle of the
incline
for which
thecenter
ball willof
rollmass,
withoutand
slipping.
center of mass, the only force which exerts a torque about the c

the frictional force. Let the mass of the basketball be m and app
Solution
law to find a system
of simultaneous equations that we can solve f
(a) We can begin
by writing
Newtons statement.
called
for indown
the problem
laws for
P
P Fx
PFy
i

the ball, including the torques:

= mg sin + Ff = ma
= mg cos + Fn =
0
=
Ff R
= I.

Furthermore, since the ball is rolling without slipping, we have that a = R. So, we
have enough to solve this system of equations. Plugging in Ff = I/R = Ia/R2 to
the first equation and solving for a gives
a=

r
Fn

m
x

r
0

r
mg

mg sin
.
m + I/R2
nd

r
f

(aof) Apply
law
in both
The moment
inertia ofNewtons
the spherical2shell
is just
I = 23 mR2 , and soFx
translational and mg
rotational
form
to
sin
3
a=
=
g
sin
.
m + 2m/3R2
5
the ball:

(b) Since Ff =

I
a
R2

2
mR2
3
R2

a = 23 ma, we have
2
Ff = mg sin .
5

= mg sin f s =

= Fn mg cos =

and

= f s r = I 0

a this
Because
basketball
(c) Now, we know
that thethe
frictional
force isisFfrolling
= s FN = s mg cos . Setting

=
equal to ourwithout
result from
part (b) we
we find
r
slipping
know that:
2
5
mg sin = s mg cos tan = s .
5
2
a
Substitute
in
equation
(3)
to
So, the maximum angle of the incline that the ball will roll without
f s rslipping
= I 0 is


r
obtain:
5
1
= tan
s .
2

Table
9-1 we
have:from the sliding case.
The rolling From
of the ball
increases
the angle
8 in equation
Substitute for I0 and
(4) and solve for fs:

I 0 = 23 mr 2
fs r =

2
3

mr 2

) ar f

9. Released from rest at the same height,

a thin spherical shell and a solid sphere
of the same mass m and radius R roll
without slipping down an incline through
the same vertical drop H. Each is moving
horizontally as it leaves the ramp. The
spherical shell hits the ground a horizontal
distance L from the end of the ramp and
the solid sphere hits the ground a distance
L0 from the end of the ramp. Find the
ratio L0 /L.

Solution
The distance that each ball goes after leaving the ramp depends on its speed upon
leaving the ramp. Since both balls take the same amount of time to reach the ground
then L = vt, while L0 = v 0 t, where v is the speed of the shell and v 0 is the speed
of the sphere at the bottom of the ramp. Now, the ratio L0 /L = v 0 /v. So, we need to
know the speed of the balls. Each ball starts off with the same potential energy, mgH.
The final energy of each ball at the bottom of the ram is made up of translational and
rotational kinetic energy,
1
mv 2 + 12 Ishell 2
2
1
mv 02 + 12 Isphere 02
2

KEshell =
KEsphere =

Now, since the balls are rolling without slipping, = v/R, while 0 = v 0 /R. Plugging
in these expressions gives


2
shell
KEshell = 21 1 + ImR
2 mv
Isphere
KEsphere = 12 1 + mR
mv 02
2
Since energy is conserved KEshell = KEsphere = mgH. So,


2
shell
mgH = 12 1 + ImR
2 mv
Isphere
mgH = 12 1 + mR
mv 02
2
Taking the ratio v 0 /v gives
v
u
u 1 + Ishell2
v
mR
=t
.
Isphere
v
1 + mR2
0

Since Ishell = 23 mR2 , while Isphere = 25 mR2 , we have

s
r
0
0
v
L
1 + 2/3
25
=
=
=
= 1.09.
v
L
1 + 2/5
21

10. According to the Standard Model of Particle Physics, electrons are pointlike particles
having no spatial extent. (This assumption has been confirmed experimentally, and
the radius of the electron has been shown to be less than 1018 meters.) The intrinsic
spin of an electron could in principle be due to its rotation. Let us check to see if this
conclusion is feasible.
(a) Assuming that the electron is a uniform sphere whose radius is 1.00 1018 m,
what angular speed would be necessary to produce the observed intrinsic angular
momentum of ~/2?
(b) Using this value of the angular speed, show that the speed of a point on the
equator of a spinning electron would be moving faster than the speed of light.
What is your conclusion about the spin angular momentum being analogous to a
spinning sphere with spatial extent?

Solution
(a) The angular momentum can be expressed in terms of the moment of inertia, I,
and the angular velocity, , as L = I. Thus, the angular speed is = L/I.
Now, for a uniform sphere, I = 25 M R2 , and for L = ~/2, we find
=

5~
L
=
.
I
4M R2

Taking M = me = 9.11 1031 kg, we have

=

5 1.05 1034
5~
=
= 1.44 1032 rad/sec.
2
31
18
2
4M R
4 9.11 10
(10 )

(b) The speed is v = R, so using our results from part (a) gives
v = R = 1018 1.44 1032 = 1.44 1014 m/s!
This is much faster than light. So, if we require that these points on the equator
cant spin faster than light, we have to abandon the model of the electron as a tiny
little spinning sphere.

10