Chapter 7 System of Particles and

Rotational Motion
Question 7. 1. Give 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?
Answer: In all the four cases, as the mass density is uniform, centre of
mass is located at their respective geometrical centres.
No, it is not necessary that the centre of mass of a body should lie on the
body. For example, in case of a circular ring, centre of mass is at the
centre of the ring, where there is no mass.

Question 7. 2. In the HCl molecule, the separation between the

nuclei of the two atoms is about 1.27 A (1 A = 10-10m). 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.
Answer: Let us choose the nucleus of the hydrogen atom as the origin for
measuring distance. Mass of hydrogen atom,m1= 1 unit (say) Since
cholorine atom is 35.5 times as massive as hydrogen atom,
.•. mass of cholorine atom, m2 = 35.5 units

Question 7. 3. A child sits stationary at one end of a long trolley

moving uniformly with a speed V 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?
Answer: When the child gets up and runs about on the trolley, the speed
of the centre of mass of the trolley and child remains unchanged
irrespective of the manner of motion of child. It is because here child and
trolley constitute one single system and forces involved are purely
internal forces. As there is no external force, there is no change in
momentum of the system and velocity remains unchanged.
Question 7. 4.

Answer:

Question 7. 5.

Answer:

Question 7. 6. Find the components along the x, y, z-axes of the

angular momentum l of a particle, whose position vector is r with
components x, y, z and momentum is p with components px,
py and pz. Show that if the particle moves only in the x-y plane the
angular momentum has only a z- component.
Answer:

Question 7. 7. Two particles, each of mass m and speed v, travel

in opposite directions along parallel lines separated by a distance
d. Show that the vector angular momentum of the two particle
system the same whatever be the point about which the angular
momentum is taken.
Answer:

Question 7. 8. A non-uniform bar of weight W is suspended at rest

by two strings of negligible weight as shown in Fig. The angles
made by the strings with the vertical are 36.9° and ‘ 53.2°
respectively. The bar is 2 m long. Calculate the distance d of the
centre of gravity of the bar from its left end.
Answer:

Question 7. 9. A car weighs 1800 kg. The distance between its

front and back axles is 1.8 m. Its centre of gravity is 1.05 m
behind the front axle. Determine the force exerted by the level
ground on each front wheel and each back wheel.
Answer: Let F1 and F2 be the forces exerted by the level ground on front
wheels and back wheels respectively.Considering rotational equilibrium
about the front wheels,F2 x 1.8 = mg x 1.05 or F2 = 1.05/1.8 x 1800 x 9.8
N =10290 N Force on each back wheel is =10290/2 N or 5145 N.

Considering rotational equilibrium about the back wheels.

F1 x 1.8 = mg (1.8 – 1.05) = 0.75 x 1800 x 9.8
or F1=0.75 x 1800 x 9.8/1.8 = 7350 N
Force on each front wheel is 7350/2 N or 3675 N.
Question 7. 10. (a) Find the moment of inertia of a sphere about a
tangent to the sphere, given the moment of inertia of the sphere
about any of its diameters to be 2 MR2/5, where M is the mass of
the sphere and R is the radius of the sphere.
(b) Given the moment of inertia of a disc of mass M and radius R
about any of its diameters to 1 be 1/4 MR2, find the moment of
inertia about an axis normal to the disc passing through a point
on its edge.

Answer: (a) Moment of inertia of sphere about any diameter = 2/5 MR2

Applying theorem of parallel axes,Moment of inertia of sphere about a tangent to the sphere
= 2/5 MR2 +M(R)2 =7/5 MR2
(b) We are given, moment of inertia of the disc about any of its diameters = 1/4 MR2
(i) Using theorem of perpendicular axes, moment of inertia of the disc about an axis passing
through its centre and normal to the disc = 2 x 1/4 MR2 = 1/2 MR2.
(ii) Using theorem axes, moment of inertia of the disc passing through a point on its edge and
normal to the dies = 1/2 MR2+ MR2 = 3/2 MR2.
Question 7. 11. Torques 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?
Answer: Let M be the mass and R the radius of the hollow cylinder, and
also of the solid sphere. Their moments of inertia about the respective
axes are I1 = MR2 and I2 = 2/5 MR2
Let τ be the magnitude of the torque applied to the cylinder and the
sphere, producing angular accelerations α1and α2 respectively.
Then τ=I1 α1 = I2 α2
The angular acceleration 04 produced in the sphere is larger. Hence, the
sphere will acquire larger angular speed after a given time.

Question 7. 12. A solid cylinder of mass 20 kg rotates about its

axis with angular speed 100 rad s-1. The radius of the cylinder is
0.25 m. 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?
Answer: M = 20 kg
Angular speed, w = 100 rad s-1; R = 0.25 m
Moment of inertia of the cylinder about its axis
=1/2 MR2 = 1/2 x 20 (0.25)2 kg m2 = 0.625 kg m2
Rotational kinetic energy,
Er = 1/2 Iw2 = 1/2 x 0.625 x (100)2 J = 3125 J
Angular momentum,
L = Iw = 0.625 x 100 Js= 62.5 Js.
Question 7. 13. (a) A child stands at the centre of a turntable with
his 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 of this increase in kinetic
energy?
Answer: (a) Suppose, initial moment of inertia of the child is I1 Then final
moment of inertia,

Question 7. 14. A rope of negligible mass is wound round a hollow

cylinder of mass 3 kg and radius 40 cm. What is the angular
acceleration of the cylinder if the rope is pulled with a force of 30
N? What is the linear acceleration of the rope? Assume that there
is no slipping.
Answer: Here, M = 3 kg, R = 40 cm = 0.4 m
Moment of inertia of the hollow cylinder about its axis.
I = MR2 = 3(0.4)2 = 0.48 kg m2

Question 7. 15. To maintain a rotor at a uniform angular speed of

200 rad s-1, an engine needs to transmit a torque of 180 Nm. 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
fricitional torque). Assume that the engine is 100 efficient.
Answer: Here, a = 200 rad s-1; Torque, τ= 180 N-m
Since,Power, P = Torque (τ) x angular speed (w)
= 180 x 200 = 36000 watt = 36 KW.

Question 7. 16. From a uniform disk of radius R, a circular hole of

radius R/2 is cut out. The centre of the hole is at R/2 from the
centre of the original disc.Locate the centre of gravity of the
resulting flat body.

Answer: Let from a bigger uniform disc of radius R with centre O a

smaller circular hole of radius R/2 with its centre at O 1 (where R OO1 = R/2)
is cut out. Let centre of gravity or the centre of mass of remaining flat
body be at O2, where OO2 = x. If σ be mass per unit area, then mass of
whole disc M1 = πR2σ and mass of cut out part

i.e., O2 is at a distance R/6 from centre of disc on diametrically opposite

side to centre of hole.

Question 7. 17. A metre stick is balanced on a knife edge at its

centre. When two coins, each of mass 5g 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?
Answer: Let m be the mass of the stick concentrated at C, the 50 cm
mark, see fig.
For equilibrium about C, the 45 cm mark,
10 g (45 – 12) = mg (50 – 45)
10 g x 33 = mg x 5
=> m = 10 x 33/5
or m = 66 grams.

Question 7. 18. A solid sphere rolls down two different inclined

planes of the same heights but different angles of inclination, (a)
Will it reach the bottom with the same speed in each case? (b)
Will it take longer to roll down one plane than the other? (c) If so,
which one and why?
Answer: (a) Using law of conservation of energy,

(c) Clearly, the solid sphere will take longer to roll down the plane with
smaller inclination.

Question 7. 19. A hoop of radius 2 m weighs 100 kg. It rolls along

a horizontal floor so that its centre of mass has a speed of 20
cm/s. How much work has to be done to stop it?
Answer: Here, R = 2 m, M = 100 kg
v = 20 cm/s = 0.2 m/s
Total energy of the hoop =1/2Mv2 + 1/2Iw2
=1/2Mv2 + 1/2(MR2)w2
=1/2Mv2 +1/2Mv2 =Mv2
Work required to stop the hoop = total energy of the hoop W = Mv 2 = 100
(0.2)2= 4 Joule.

Question 7. 20. The oxygen molecule has a mass of 5.30 x 10-26 kg

and a moment of inertia of 1.94 x 10-45 kg m2 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
500 m/s and that its kinetic energy of rotation is two thirds of its
kinetic energy of translation. Find the average angular velocity of
the molecule.
Answer:

Question 7. 21. A solid cylinder rolls up an inclined plane of angle

of inclination 30°. At the bottom of the inclined plane the centre
of mass of the cylinder has a speed of 5 m/s.
(a) How far will the cylinder go up the plane?
(b) How long will it take to return to the bottom?
Answer: Here, θ= 30°, v = 5 m/ sLet the cylinder go up the plane up to a
height From1/2 mv2 +1/2IW2 = mgh

Question 7. 22. As shown in Fig. the two sides of a step ladder BA

and CA are 1.6 m long and hinged at A. A rope DE, 0.5 m is tied
halfway up. A weight 40 kg is suspended from a point F, 1.2 m
from B along the ladder BA. Assuming the floor to be friction less
and neglecting the weight of the ladder, find the tension in the
rope and forces exerted by the floor on the ladder. (Take g =
9.8 m2 )(Hint: Consider the equilibrium of each side of the ladder
separately.)

Answer: The forces acting on the ladder are shown in Fig. 7.14.Here, IV =
40 kg = 40 x 9.8 N = 392 N, AB = AC = 1.6 m, BD = 1/2 x 1.6 m = 0.8 m,
BF = 1.2 m and DE 0.5 m,
=(392 x (1-0.375))/1=245 N
Now, it can be easily shown that tension in the string T = N B – NC = 245 –
147 = 98 N.

Question 7. 23. A man stands on a rotating platform, with his

arms stretched horizontally holding a 5 kg weight in each hand.
The angular speed of the platform is 30 revolutions per minutes.
The man then brings his arms close to his body with the distance
of each weight from the axis changing from 90 cm to 20 cm. The
moment of inertia of the man together with the platform may be
taken to be constant and equal to 7.6 kg m2.(a) What is his new
angular speed? (Neglect friction)(b) Is kinetic energy conserved in
the process? If not, from where does the change come about?
Answer: Here, I1= 7.6 + 2 x 5 (0.9)2 = 15.7 kg m2
w1 = 30 rpm
I2 = 7.6 + 2 x 5 (0.2)2 = 8.0 kg m2
w2 = ?
According to the principle of conservation of angular momentum,
I2w2=I1w1
w2= I1/I2 w1= 15.7 x 30 /8.0 = 58.88 rpm
No, kinetic energy is not conserved in the process. In fact, as moment of
inertia decreases, K.E. of rotation increases. This change comes about as
work is done by the man in bringing his arms closer to his body.

Question 7. 24. A bullet of mass 10 g and speed 500 m/s is fired

into a door and gets embedded exactly at the centre of the door.
The door is 1.0 m wide and weighs 12 kg. It is hinged at one end
and rotates about a vertical axis practically without friction. Find
the angular speed of the door just after the bullet embeds into it.
(Hint: The moment of inertia of the door about the vertical axis at
one end is ML2/3.)
Answer: Angular momentum imparted by the bullet, L = mv x r
=(10 x 10-3) x 500 x 1/2 =2.5
Also,I=ML2/3=12 x (1.0) 2/3=4 kg m2
Since L=Iw
w=L/I=2.5/4=0.625 rad / s

Question 7. 25. Two discs of moments of inertia I1 and I2 about

their respective axes (normal to the disc and passing through the
centre), and rotating with angular speed w1 and w2 are brought
into contact face to face with their axes of rotation coincident, (a)
What is the angular speed of the two-disc system? (b) Show that
the kinetic energy of the combined system is less than the sum of
the initial kinetic energies of the two discs. How do you account
for this loss in energy? Take w1 not equal to w2.
Answer: (a) Let I1 and I2 be the moments of inertia of two discs having
angular speeds w1, and w2 respectively. When they are brought in contact,
the moment of inertia of the two-disc system will be I 1 + I2. Let the system
now have an angular speed w. From the law of conservation of angular
momentum, we know that

Now, (w1 – w2)2 will be positive whether w1 is greater or smaller than w2.
Also,I1I2/2(I1+ I2) is also positive because I1 and I2 are positive.
Thus, k1– k2 is a positive quantity.
.-. k1 = k2 + a positive quantity or k1 > k2
.-. The kinetic energy of the combined system ( k 2) is less than the sum of
the kinetic energies of the two dies.The loss of energy on combining the
two discs is due to the energy being used up because of the frictional
forces between the surfaces of the two discs. These forces, in fact, bring
about a common angular speed of the two discs on combining.
Question 7. 26. (a) Prove the theorem of perpendicular axes.
Hint: Square of the distance of a point (x, y) in the x-y plane from
an axis through the origin perpendicular to the plane is x2 + y2]
(b) Prove the theorem of parallel axes.
Hint: If the centre of mass of chosen the origin [Σ miri= 0]
Answer: (a) The theorem of perpendicular axes: According to this
theorem, the moment of inertia of a plane lamina (i.e., a two dimensional
body of any shape/size) about any axis OZ perpendicular to the plane of
the lamina is equal to sum of the moments of inertia of the lamina about
any two mutually perpendicular axes OX and OY in the plane of lamina,
meeting at a point where the given axis OZ passes through the lamina.
Suppose at the point ‘R’ m{ particle is situated moment of inertia about Z
axis of lamina
= moment of inertia of body about x-axis
= moment of inertia of body about the y-axis.

(b) Theorem of parallel axes: According to this theorem, moment of

inertia of a rigid body about
any axis AB is equal to moment of inertia of the body about another axis
KL passing through
centre of mass C of the body in a direction parallel to AB, plus the product
of total mass M of the
body and square of the perpendicular distance between the two parallel
axes. If h is perpendicular distance between the axes AB and KL, then
Suppose rigid body is made up of n particles m1, m2, …. mn, mn at
perpendicular distances r1, r2, ri…. rn. respectively from the axis KL passing
through centre of mass C of the body.
If h is the perpendicular distance of the particle of mass m{ from KL, then
Question 7. 27. Prove the result that the velocity v of translation
of a rolling body (like a ring, disc, cylinder or sphere) at the
bottom of an inclined plane of a height h is given
by,v2=2gh/(1+k2/R2) using dynamical consideration (i.e., by
consideration of forces and torques). Note k is the radius of
gyration of the body about its symmetry axis, and R is the radius
of the body. The body starts from rest at the top of the plane.
Answer: Let a rolling body (I = Mk2) rolls down an inclined plane with an
initial velocity u = 0; When it reaches the bottom of inclined plane, let its
linear velocity be v. Then from conservation of mechanical energy, we
have Loss in P.E. = Gain in translational K.E. + Gain in rotational K.E.
Question 7. 28. A disc rotating about its axis with angular speed
wo is placed lightly (without any translational push) on a perfectly
friction less table. The radius of the disc is R. What are the linear
velocities of the points A, B and C on the disc shown in Fig.? Will
the disc roll in the direction indicated?

Answer:

Question 7. 29. Explain why friction is necessary to make the disc

roll (refer to Q. 28) in the direction indicated.
(a) Give the direction of frictional force at B, and the sense of
frictional torque, before perfect rolling begins.
(b) What is the force of friction after perfect rolling begins?
Answer: To roll a disc, we require a torque, which can be provided only
by a tangential force. As force of friction is the only tangential force in this
case, it is necessary.
(a)As frictional force at B opposes the velocity of point B, which is to the
left, the frictional force must be to the right. The sense of frictional torque
will be perpendicular to the plane of the disc and outwards.
(b)As frictional force at B decreases the velocity of the point of contact B
with the surface, the perfect rolling begins only when velocity of point B
becomes zero. Also, force of friction would become zero at this stage.

Question 7. 30. A solid disc and a ring, both of radius 10 cm are

placed on a horizontal table simultaneously, with initial angular
speed equal to 10π rad/s. Which of two will start to roll earlier?
The coefficient of kinetic friction is uk = 0.2.
Answer: When a disc or ring starts rotatory motion on a horizontal
surface, initial translational velocity of centre of mass is zero.

The frictional force causes the centre of mass to accelerate linearly but
frictional torque causes angular retardation. As force of normal reaction N
= mg, hence frictional force f = uk N = uk mg.
For linear motion f = uk . mg = ma ———-(i)

Question 7. 31. A cylinder of mass 10 kg and radius 15 cm is

rolling perfectly on a plane of inclination 30°. The coefficient of
static friction us = 0.25.
(a) How much is the force of friction acting on the cylinder?
(b) What is the work done against friction during rolling?
(c) If the inclination O of the plane is increased, at what value of 8
does the cylinder begin to skid, and not roll perfectly?
Answer:
Question 7. 32. Read each statement below carefully, and state,
with reasons, if it is true or false:
(a) During rolling, the force of friction acts in the same direction
as the direction of motion of the CM of the body.
(b) The instantaneous speed of the point of contact during rolling
is zero.
(c) The instantaneous acceleration of the point of contact during
rolloing is zero.
(d) For perfect rolling motion, work done against friction is zero.
(e) A wheel moving down a perfectly frictionless inclined plane
will undergo slipping (not rolling) motion.
Answer: (a) True. When a body rolls without slipping, the force of friction
acts in the same
direction as the direction of motion of the centre of mass of rolling body.
(b) True. This is because rolling body can be imagined to be rotating about
an axis passing through the point of contact of the body with the ground.
Hence its instantaneous speed is zero.
(c) False. This is because when the body is rotating, its instantaneous
acceleration is not zero.
(d) True. For perfect rolling motion as there is no relative motion at the
point of contact, hence work done against friction is zero.
(e) True. This is because rolling occurs only on account of friction which is
a tangential force capable of providing torque. When the inclined plane is
perfectly smooth, it will simply slip under the effect of its own weight.

Question 7. 33. Separation of Motion of a system of particles into

motion of the centre of mass and motion about the centre of
mass: