Physics

Rotational and Circular Motion

235 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 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
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 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.

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

Two discs having masses in the ratio $1:2$ and radii in the ratio $1:8$ roll down without slipping one by one from an inclined plane of height $h$. The ratio of their linear velocities on reaching the ground is

  1. $1:16$
  2. $1:128$
  3. $1:8\sqrt{2}$
  4. $1:1$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

For a disc rolling down an incline, the final linear velocity v = sqrt(2gh / (1 + k^2/R^2)). For a uniform disc, k^2/R^2 = 0.5. Since the velocity depends only on height h and the shape (moment of inertia factor), the mass and radius do not affect the final velocity. Thus, the ratio is 1:1.

Multiple choice physics types of energy law of conservation of energy the law of conservation of energy work, energy and machines

A stone of mass $m$ kg is whirled in a vertical circle of radius $20$ cm. The difference in the kinetic energies at the lowest and the topmost position is:

  1. $4 \ mg\ joule$
  2. $0.4\ mg\ joule$
  3. $40 \ mg \ joule$
  4. None of these

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

According to the law of conservation of energy 
Total energy of the system (KE $+$ PE) will be equal at both  , topmost and bottom most point.
Therefore, $\bigtriangleup PE =\bigtriangleup KE$
 $KE _{b}-KE _{t} = PE _{t} - PE _{b}$
$PE _{t} - PE _{b} = m\times g\times (2\times r)$
$\bigtriangleup KE = 0.4 \ mg$ $joule$

Multiple choice newton's colour disc light and the formation of shadows physics

When the Newton's disc is rotated what happens

  1. The colours fade to white

  2. The colours fade to black

  3. The colours fade to red

  4. The colours fade to blue

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

Newton's colour disc, as the name suggests, was invented by Sir Issac Newton and is a disc with seven segments in rainbow colours.
When the disc is rotated, the colours fade to white. In this way, Sir Isaac Newton demonstrated that white light is a combination of the seven different colours found in a rainbow.

Hence, the correct answer is OPTION A.