Example 1: As the bracket ABC is slowly rotated as shown in Fig. 1.

The 6 kg block starts to

slide toward the spring when θ = 20o. The maximum deflection of the spring is observed to be
50 mm. the spring has a constant k = 1500 N/m. Determine the values of kinetic friction (𝜇𝑘 )
and static friction (𝜇𝑆 ).

6 kg
C
A

θ
B

Fig. 1
Solution: F.B.D. of the block at initial position when the motion is impending downward is
shown in fig. 1 (a).

6g
n o
20
t

N
o
20

Fig. 1(a)
Writing eqn. of equilibrium in n direction.
( +); N – 6g cos 20o = 0 or N = 6 × 9.81 × cos 20o = 55.31 (N) (i)
Writing eqn. of equilibrium in n direction.
𝟔×𝟗⋅𝟖𝟏×𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝟎𝟎
( +); µs N – 6g sin 20o = 0 or 𝜇𝐾 = = 0.364
𝟓𝟓.𝟑𝟏

Kinematic sketch of block at starting position 1 when the block starts moving downward and
position 2 when the block is in rest is shown in fig. 1(b).
 1
6g
2

N
θ

Fig. 1(b)
Apply principle of kinetic energy on block between position 1 at velocity 𝑣1 = 0 and 2 at
velocity 𝑣2 = 0.
T2 = T1 + U 1 → 2
1 1
𝑚𝑣22 = 𝑚𝑣12 + U 1 → 2
2 2
1
0 = 0 + 6 × 9.81 × 0.3 - 𝜇𝑘 N × 9.81 × 0.3 - 2 𝑘𝑥 2 (ii)

Putting N = 55.31 (N) of eqn. (i), k = 1500 N/m and x = 0.3 m, we obtain 𝜇𝑘 = 0.251

Example 2: A 500g pellet is released from rest at A and slides without friction along the
surface as shown in Fig. 2. Determine the force exerted by the surface on the pellet as it
passes through (a) position B (b) position C

1.2 m

r = 0.9 m O

60o y

x
C

Fig. 2

𝒚 𝒚
Solution: cos 60o = 𝒓 = 𝟎.𝟗 ; y = 0.45
Applying principle of energy on pellet between position A and B
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝐵2 = 𝑚𝑣𝐴2 + mgh
2 2

𝑣𝐵2 = 𝑣𝐴2 +2gh = 0 + 2 × 9.81 × 1.65 (i)

On solving eqn. (i), we obtain 𝑣𝐵 = 5.69 m/s
Applying principle of energy on pellet between position A and C
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝐶2 = 𝑚𝑣𝐴2 + mgh
2 2

𝑣𝐶2 = 𝑣𝐴2 +2gh = 0 + 2 × 9.81 × 2.1 (ii)

On solving eqn. (i), we obtain 𝑣𝐶 = 6.42 m/s
Schematic sketch of external and effective force system on pellet at position B is shown in
fig. 2(a).

mg
n
60 o 60o
m𝑎𝑛
B ≡ B

m𝑎𝑡

Fig. 2(a)
Writing eqn. of Newton’s 2nd law on pellet at position C along n direction.
𝑣2 5.692
( +); mg cos60o – N = - m 𝑎𝑛 = m = - (0.5)
𝜌 0.9

5.692
or, N = 0.5 × 9.81 × cos 60o + (0.5) = 20.44 (N) (i)
0.9

Schematic sketch of external and effective force system on pellet at position C as shown in
fig. 2(b).

0.5g m𝑎𝑛

m𝑎𝑡
≡ C

Fig. 2(b)
Writing eqn. of Newton’s 2nd law on pellet at position C along y direction.
( ↑+ ); N – 0.5g = m𝑎𝑛
6.422
or, N = 0.5 × 9.81 + 0.5 × = 27.8 (N)
0.9
Example 3: A 1.2 kg collar C may slide without friction along a horizontal rod shown in Fig.
3. It is attached to three springs each of constant k = 400 N/m and 150 mm undeformed
length. If the collar is released from rest in the position shown in Fig. 40, determine the
maximum velocity it will reach in the ensuing motion.
1
1.2 kg C

150 mm

A D B

150 mm 150 mm

Fig. 3
Solution: The maximum velocity will be attained by the collar C at the position shown in fig.
3(a) when potential strain energy becomes zero.

1.2 kg C 2

150 mm

D B A

150 mm 150 mm

Fig. 3(a)
Apply principle of conservation of energy on collar C between initial position 1 shown in fig.
40 and the position 2 shown in fig. 41.
T1 + V1 = T2 + V2
1 1 1 1
𝑚 𝑣𝑐22 + 0 = 𝑚 𝑣𝑐21 + 2 𝑘𝑥12 + 2 𝑘𝑥22
2 2
1 1 1
(1.2) 𝑣𝑐22 + 0 = 0 + 2 (400) (0.061)2 + 2 (400) (0.185)2 (i)
2

On solving eqn. (i), we obtain 𝑣𝐶 = 3.57 m/s (↔)

Example 4: A roller coaster is released with no velocity at A and rolls down the track as
shown in Fig. 5. The brakes are suddenly applied as the car passes through point B, causing
the wheels of the car to slide on the track (𝜇𝑘 = 0 .25). Assuming no energy loss between A
and B and if the radius of curvature of the track at B is 15 m, determine the normal and
tangential components of the track at B acceleration of the car just after the breaks have been
applied.

15 m
15 m

Fig. 4
Solution: Apply principle of energy conservation on car between position A (1) and B (2) as
shown in fig. 28.
T1 + V1 = T2 + V2
1 1
𝑚𝑣12 + mgh = 2 𝑚𝑣22 + mgh
2
1
0 + m × 9.81 × 15 = 2 𝑚𝑣22 + 0 (i)

On solving eqn. (i), we obtain 𝑣2 = 17.15 m/s

𝑣2 17.152
Normal component of acceleration at B = = = 19.62 m/s2 ( ↑ )
𝜌 15

Fig. 4(a) shows the schematic sketch of external and effective force system on car at position
B

mg man

mat
B
B ≡
µk N
N

Fig. 4(a)
Writing eqn. of Newton’s 2nd law on ball along y direction.
( + ); N - mg = m𝑎𝑛
or, N = m𝑎𝑛 + mg = (19.62 + 9.81) m = 29.43 m (ii)
nd
Writing eqn. of Newton’s 2 law on ball along x direction.
( → + ); 𝜇𝑘 N = - 0.25 × N = mat (iii)
Putting N = 29.43 m of eqn. (ii) in eqn. (iii), we obtain
- 0.25 × 29.43 m = mat
or, at = -7.35 m/s2 = 7.35 m/s2 ( ← )
Example 5: A bag is gently pushed off the top of a wall at A and swings in a vertical plane at
the end of a rope of length l as shown in Fig. 30. Determine the angle θ for what the rope will
break if it can withstand a maximum tension equal to twice the weight of the bag.

A
θ

h
l
B

Fig. 5
Solution: Fig. 5(a) shows the schematic sketch of external and effective force system on bag
at position B at velocity 𝑣2 .

T m𝑎𝑛
θ
≡
mg ≡ mat

External force system Effective force system

Fig. 5(a)
Writing eqn. of Newton’s 2nd law on ball along n direction.
( +); T – mg sin θ = m𝑎𝑛 (i)
𝑣22
Putting T = 2 mg as maximum tension equal to twice the weight of the bag and 𝑎𝑛 = in
𝜌

eqn. (i), we obtain

𝑣22 𝑣22
2 mg – mg sin θ = m 𝜌
=m 𝑙
(ii)

On simplifying eqn. (ii), we obtain

 𝑣22
sin θ = 2 – 0.1 (iii)
𝑙

Apply principle of kinetic energy on bag between position A at velocity 𝑣1 and B at velocity
𝑣2 .
T2 = T1 + U 1 → 2
1 1
𝑚𝑣22 = 𝑚𝑣12 + U 1 → 2
2 2
1
𝑚𝑣22 = 0 + m × g × l sin θ (iv)
2

On simplifying eqn. (iv), we obtain

𝑣22 = 18.62 l sin θ (v)
Putting the value of eqn. (v) in eqn. (iii), we obtain θ = 44.3o
Example 6: If the system shown starts from rest as shown in Fig. 20. Determine (a) the
velocity of collar A after it has moved through 400 mm (b) the corresponding velocity of
collar B (c) the tension in the cable. Neglect the masses of pulleys and the effect of friction.

A 9 kg

25 N

B 12 kg

Fig. 6
Solution: (a) Fig.6(a) shows absolute position SA of collar A & absolute position SB of collar
B and relative position SB/A of collar B with respect to collar A. Consider left side as S(+).

SB/A SA
A 9 kg S(+)

25 N

B 12 kg
SB

Fig. 6(a)
Kinematics between block A and B
2SA + SB + SB/A = constant (i)
Differentiating eqn. (i), we obtain 2 vA + vB + vB/A = 0
or 2 vA + vB + vB - vA = 0 or, vA = - 2 vB (ii)
Fig. 6(b) shows the external force and initial velocity vB1 at position 1 and final velocity vB2
at position 2 of collar B.

2 1
12 g
𝑣𝐵2 vB1 = 0
B 25 N
B
2T
N

Fig. 6(b)
Applying the principle of kinetic energy to collar B between position 1 at velocity 𝑣𝐵1 and
position 2 at velocity 𝑣𝐵2
T2 = T1 + U 1 → 2
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝐵2 2 = 𝑚𝑣𝐵1 2 + U 1 → 2
2 2
1
(12) 𝑣𝐵2 2 = 0 + 25 × 0.2 - 2T × 0.2
2

0.04 T + 6 𝑣𝐵2 2 = 5 (iii)

Fig. 6(c) shows the external force and initial velocity 𝑣𝐴1 at position 1 and final velocity 𝑣𝐴2
at
position 2 of collar A.

1 2
9g
T vA2
A A
2T
vA1 = 0
N
.
Fig. 7(c)
Applying the principle of kinetic energy to collar A between position 1 at velocity 𝑣𝐴1 and
position 2 at velocity 𝑣𝐴2
1 1
𝑚𝑣𝐴2 2 = 𝑚𝑣𝐴1 2 + U 1 → 2
2 2
1
2
(9) 𝑣𝐴2 2 = 0 + T × 0.4

0.4 T - 4.5 𝑣𝐴2 2 = 0 (iv)

Subtracting eqn. (iv) from eqn. (iii), we obtain
6 𝑣𝐵2 2 + 4.5 𝑣𝐴2 2 = 5 (v)
Putting vA = - 2 vB of eqn. (ii) in eqn. (v), we obtain
𝑣𝐴2 = 0.456 m/s = 456 mm/s (← +) and 𝑣𝐵2 = 0.913 m/s = 913 mm/s (→ + )
(b) In eqn. (iii), put 𝑣𝐵2 = 0.913 m/s, we obtain T = 9.38 N
Example 7: An 8 kg plunger is released from rest in the position shown in Fig. 7 and is
stopped by two rested springs; the constant of the outer spring is k₁ = 3 N/m and the constant
of the inner spring is K₂ = 10 N/m. If the maximum deflection of the outer spring is observed
to be 150 mm, determine the height h from which the plunger was released.

8 kg

𝑘𝑁 90 mm
K1 = 3 𝑚

𝑘𝑁
K2 = 10
𝑚

Fig. 7
Solution: Initial position 1 and final position 2 of plunger is shown in fig. 7(a).

8 kg

Position 1
h

𝑘𝑁 90 mm
K1 = 3 150 mm 8 kg
𝑚
Datum
Position 2

Fig. 7 (a)
 𝑘𝑁
Given that spring constant of longer spring k1 = 3 and spring constant of shorter spring K2
𝑚
𝑘𝑁
= 10 and mass of plunger m = 8 kg.
𝑚

Distance of unstressed shorter spring from plunger = h + 90 mm

Distance of unstressed longer spring from plunger = h
Distance through which plunger moved downward after releasing from position 1 = 150 mm
Position 2 is considered as datum.
Applying the principle of kinetic energy to plunger between position 1 at velocity 𝑣1 and
position 2 at velocity 𝑣2
T2 = T1 + U 1 → 2
0 = 0 + U 1→2
1 1
0=0+m×g×h+ K1𝑥12 + K2𝑥22 (i)
2 2
1
In eqn. (i), the term m × g × h = work done by the weight of the plunger, the term 2 K1𝑥12 =
1
elastic energy gained by the longer spring and the term 𝑘2𝑥22 = elastic potential energy
2

gained by the shorter spring

1 1
0 = 0 + 8 × 9.81 × (h + 0.09) + × 3000 × 0.152 + × 10000 × 0.062 (ii)
2 2

On solving eqn. (ii), we obtain h = 0.509 m = 509 mm