Physics

Rotational and Circular Motion

220 Questions

Rotational and circular motion examines the dynamics of objects moving in circular paths or rotating around an axis. Key concepts include angular momentum, torque, moment of inertia, and centripetal force. This is a highly scoring topic in the physics section of competitive exams.

Angular momentumCentripetal forceMoment of inertiaRolling objectsGyroscopic effect

Rotational and Circular Motion Questions

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A sphere rolls down on an inclined plane of inclination $\theta$. What is the acceleration as the sphere reaches bottom?

  1. $\dfrac { 5 }{ 7 } g\sin \theta$
  2. $\dfrac { 3 }{ 5 } g\sin \theta$
  3. $\dfrac { 2 }{ 7 } g\sin \theta$
  4. $\dfrac { 2 }{ 5 } g\sin \theta$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Net force = $mg \sin \theta$

Friction force = $F (\uparrow)$
For linear motion, 
$mg \, \sin \theta = f = mg$ ...(1)
angular motion 
$fR = I \alpha $ .... (2)
$\therefore mg \, \sin \theta = ma + \dfrac{I \alpha}{R}$ ....(3)
$a = \alpha R$
$\therefore a = \dfrac{59}{7} \sin \theta$

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A solid cylinder rolls down a rough inclined plane without slipping. As it goes down, what will happen due to force of friction?

  1. Decrease its mechanical kinetic energy

  2. Increase its translational energy

  3. Increases its rotational kinetic energy

  4. Decreases its potential energy

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

As a cylinder rolls down an incline, the static friction force acts up the plane. This torque causes the object to rotate, thereby increasing its rotational kinetic energy at the expense of potential energy.

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A coin placed on a rotating turn table just slips if it is at a distance of $40$ cm from the centre if the angular velocity of the turntable is doubled, it will just slip at a distance of 

  1. 10 cm

  2. 20 cm

  3. 40 cm

  4. 80 cm

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The condition for slipping on a turntable is that the maximum static friction equals the required centripetal force, which means omega^2 r = constant. If the angular velocity omega is doubled, its square increases by a factor of 4. Therefore, the radius r must decrease by a factor of 4 to maintain the same limiting acceleration, giving 40 cm / 4 = 10 cm.

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A solid cylinder (SC),Hollow cylinder (HC)& solid sphere (SS)of same mass & radii are released simultaneously from the same height on an incline. The order in which they will reach the bottom is (From least time to most time order)

  1. SC,HC,SS

  2. SS,SS,HC

  3. SS,SC,HC

  4. HC,SC,SS

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Acceleration a = g*sin(theta) / (1 + I/MR^2). The object with the smallest I/MR^2 has the largest acceleration and reaches the bottom first. I/MR^2 values: SS (2/5), SC (1/2), HC (1). Order: SS, SC, HC.

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A solid homogeneous cylinder of height h and base radius r is kept vertically on a conveyer belt moving horizontally with an increasing velocity $v=a+{ bt }^{ 2 }$. If the cylinder is not allowed to slip then the time when the cylinder is about to topple, will be equal to

  1. $\dfrac { 2rg }{ bh } $
  2. $\dfrac { rg }{ bh } $
  3. $\dfrac { 2bg }{ rh } $
  4. $\dfrac { rg }{ 2bh } $
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Toppling occurs when the torque due to pseudo-force (ma) about the edge exceeds the torque due to gravity. The condition is m*a*h/2 = m*g*r. With a = d^2x/dt^2 = 2bt, we get m*(2bt)*h/2 = m*g*r, so t = rg/bh.

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A disc of radius R rolls on a horizontal surface with linear velocity $ \overrightarrow {v} = v \hat {i} $ and angular velocity $ \overrightarrow {\omega} = - \omega \hat k $ there is a particle P on the circumference of the disc which has velocity in vertical direction. the height of that particle from the ground will be

  1. $ R + \dfrac {v}{ \omega} $
  2. $ R - \dfrac {v}{ \omega} $
  3. $ R + \dfrac {R}{ 2} $
  4. $ R - \dfrac {R}{ 2} $
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The velocity of a point on the rim is v_p = v_cm + omega x r. For vertical velocity, the horizontal components must cancel. The height y = R - v/omega is a standard result for the point where horizontal velocity is zero.

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A disc of mass $m$ of radius $r$ is placed on a rough horizontal surface. A cue of mass $m$ hits the disc at a height $h$ from the axis passing through centre and parallel to the surface. The cue stop and falls down after impact. The disc starts pure rolling for

  1. $h < \dfrac{r}{3}$
  2. $h = \dfrac{r}{2}$
  3. $h > \dfrac{r}{2}$
  4. $h\ge \dfrac{r}{2}$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A uniform rigid rod has length $L$ and mass $m$. It lies on a horizontal smooth surface, and is rotated at a uniform angular velocity $\omega$ about a vertical axle passing through one of its ends. The force exerted by the axle on the rod will be

  1. $m \omega^2 L$ outward
  2. $m \omega^2 L$ inward
  3. $\dfrac{1}{2} m\omega^2 L$ outward
  4. $\dfrac{1}{2} m\omega^2 L$ inward
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The center of mass of the rod moves in a circle of radius L/2 with angular velocity omega. The centripetal force required to keep the center of mass moving in this circle is provided by the horizontal force from the axle. Using the formula F = m omega^2 r_cm, where r_cm = L/2, we get F = (1/2) m omega^2 L directed inward toward the axis of rotation.

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

A disc and a sphere of same radius but different masses roll off on two inclined planes of the same altitude and length. Which one of the two objects gets to the bottom of the plane first?

  1. Both reach at the same time

  2. Depends on their masses

  3. Disc

  4. Sphere

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Acceleration a = g*sin(theta) / (1 + I/MR^2). The sphere has I = (2/5)MR^2, so a = g*sin(theta) / 1.4. The disc has I = (1/2)MR^2, so a = g*sin(theta) / 1.5. The sphere has higher acceleration and arrives first.

Multiple choice physics rotational motion of a rigid body and moment of inertia constant angular acceleration equation of motion of rotating body dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis

(a) A child stands at the center 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?

  1. $300\ rev/min\ and 2.5 E _1$
  2. $100\ rev/min\ and 2.5 E _1$
  3. $500\ rev/min\ and 7.5 E _1$
  4. none of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

By conservation of angular momentum, I1*omega1 = I2*omega2. Given I2 = (2/5)I1, then omega2 = (5/2)omega1 = 2.5 * 40 = 100 rev/min. KE2 = (1/2)I2*omega2^2 = (1/2)(2/5)I1(2.5*omega1)^2 = 2.5 * KE1.

Multiple choice physics turning on a pivot the turning of couple couple turning effect of force the turning effect of a force moment of force or torque

When slightly different weights are placed on the two pans of a beam balance, the beam comes to rest at an angle with the horizontal. The beam is supported at a single point P by a pivot. Then which of the following statement(s) is/are true ?

  1. The net torque about P due to the two weights is nonzero at the equilibrium position.

  2. The whole system does not continue to rotate about P because it has a large moment of inertia.

  3. The centre of mass of the system lies below P.

  4. The centre of mass of the system lies above P.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The whole system does not continue to rotate about P because the moment is balanced. Thus option B is wrong. And the center of mass of the system lies at pivot point P. Thus option C and D are wrong. As the force applied at the two points of suspension is different $\tau$ is different.

Multiple choice physics turning on a pivot the turning of couple couple turning effect of force the turning effect of a force moment of force or torque

When a ceiling fan is switched off, its angular velocity reduces by $50$% while it makes $36$ rotations. How many more rotations will it make before coming to rest? (Assume uniforms angular retardation)

  1. $48$
  2. $36$
  3. $12$
  4. $18$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

$\begin{array}{l} You\, \, have\, \, to\, \, use\, \, the\, \, equation, \ \; { { { \omega  } }^{ { 2 } } }\; ={ { { \omega  } } _{ { 0 } } }^{ { 2 } }\; +{ { 2\alpha \theta  } }\; \, \, for\, \, finding\, \, the\, \, angular\, \, acceleration\; \, \alpha \, \, and \ hence\, \, the\, \, number\, \, of\, \, further\, \, rotations. \ Note\, \, that\, \, this\, \, equation\, \, is\, \, the\, \, rotational\, \, analogue\, \, of\, \, the\, equation \ { v^{ 2 } }\; ={ v _{ 0 } }^{ 2 }+2as{ {  } }(or,\; { v^{ 2 } }\; ={ u^{ 2 } }\; +2as)\, \, in\, \, linear\, \, motion. \ Since\, \, the\, \, angular\, \, velocity\, \, has\, \, reduce\, \, to\, \, half\, \, of\, \, the\, \, initial\, \, value\, \, { \omega _{ 0 } }\, \, after\, \, 36\, \, rotations,\, \, we\, \, have \ { \left( { { \omega _{ 0\;  } }/2 } \right) _{ \;  } }^{ 2 }={ \omega _{ 0 } }^{ 2 }+2\alpha \times 36\, \, from\, \, which\, \; \alpha =--\; { \omega _{ 0 } }^{ 2 }/96 \ \left[ { We\, \, have\, \, expressed\, \, the\, \, angular\, \, displacement\, \, \theta \, \, in\, \, rotations\, \, itself\, \, for\, \, convenience } \right]  \ If\, \, the\, \, additional\, \, number\, \, of\, \, rotations\, \, is\, \, x,\, \, we\, \, have \ 0={ \left( { { \omega _{ 0\;  } }/2 } \right) _{ \;  } }^{ 2 }\; +\; 2\alpha x\; =\; { \left( { { \omega _{ 0\;  } }/2 } \right) _{ \;  } }^{ 2 }\; +\; 2\times (--\; { \omega _{ 0 } }^{ 2 }/96)x \ This\, \, gives, \ x\; =12 \end{array}$

Hence,
option $(C)$ is correct answer.