SAMPLE PROBLEMS: 111-SET #9 ROTATIONAL MOTION PROBLEMS:

09-1

1) A grinding wheel starts from rest and has a constant angular acceleration of 5 rad/sec 2. At t = 6
seconds find the centripetal and tangential accelerations of a point 75 mm from the axis. Determine the
angular speed at 6 seconds, and the angle the wheel has turned through.
We have a problem of constant angular acceleration. The figure
& coordinate system are shown. Since a time is given in the
problem we must use the equations of motion.
o= 0

(t) = (1/2) t2 + 0 t ;
(t) = t + 0
The initial state of motion is: 0 = 0; 0 = 0 . We are given
in the problem. Hence we have the specific equations of
motion:
(t) = (1/2)(5) t2 ;

(t) = 5 t .

(6 sec) = (5)(6) = 30 rad/sec . And:

Thus at time t = 6 sec,

rad .

(6 sec) = (1/2)(5)(6)2

= 90

The centripetal & tangential accelerations are linear quantities. Hence, to calculate we need the
interconnecting equations.
s = r
;
v = r ;
at= r
(Where all angular quantities are expressed in terms of angular units of radians.) Thus, at 6 seconds we
have:
for velocities
for acceleration
v(6 sec) = r = (.075)(30) = 2.25 m/sec

a t = r = (.075)(5) = .375 m/sec2

a c = v2/r = r 2 = (.075)(30)2 = 67.5 m/sec2 .

The magnitude of the total linear acceleration of this point would be given by:
a

ac at

2) An electric motor operates at 1800 rpm. Find its angular speed in radians/second. What is the linear
speed of a point 55 mm from the axis of rotation? What is its centripetal acceleration?
Solution: We have a rotational problem of constant angular velocity (UCM). The quantity 1800 rpm
(rev/minute) can be interpreted as a frequency, or as an angular velocity. The equation: = 2 f
converts 'frequency' into an angular velocity in units of radians/unit time. Thus:

09-2
= 2 (1800) rad/min = 188 rad/sec .
The linear speed of a point is related to the angular velocity through the inter-connecting equation:
v = r = (.055)(188) = 10.34 m/sec;

a t = r = 0 (since is constant)

ac = v2/r = r 2 = (.055)(188)2 = 1943.9 m/sec2

3) The turbine and associated rotating parts of a jet engine have a total moment of inertia of 25 kg-m2. It
is accelerated uniformly from rest to an angular speed of 150 rad/sec in a time of 25 seconds. Find (a) the
angular acceleration; (b) the net torque required; (c) the angle turned through in 25 seconds; (d) the
work done by the net torque; and (e) the kinetic energy of the turbine at the end of the 25 seconds.
Solution: Since time is explicitly mentioned in the problem we
expect that we will have to employ the equations of motion.
Setting up the CS as shown, & with the initial conditions:
(t=0) = o = 0 ;

o= 0

(t=0) = o = 0 .

Since is constant, we may use the 'general equations for

constant acceleration:
(t) = (1/2) t2 + o t + o

(t) = (1/2) t2

(t) =

(t) =

t +

t.

Since we are not given , we expect to find some other piece of information given. We read:
"accelerated ...to 150 rad/sec in 25 sec." Hence:
(t=25sec) = 150 = (25)
Then:

(t=25sec) = (1/2)(6)(25)2 =

= 6 rad/sec2 .
1875 radians.

Since we have the angular acceleration and we know the moment of inertia of the turbine, then we can
calculate the net torque from the 2nd law (Note: this requires in rad/(unit time)2 , which we have.)
net = I = (25 kg-m2)(6 rad/sec2) = 150 N-m (radians)
The expression for the work done by a torque is:

Wbt

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In our picture we select to measure positively in a clockwise
direction('in'). The torque which produces this rotation must
therefore be a clockwise ('in') torque. Thus, and
are in
the same direction (they both point into the paper). Thus we will
have:
net

W(by net ) =

o =0

= (150)(1875) = 2.81 x 105 J.

The final kinetic energy (in rotational form) can be calculated

thusly:
KEfinal = (1/2) I 2 = (.5)(25)(150) = 2.81 x 102 J.
We note that this is the same as the work done by the 'net torque'. This is as expected, since we have:
translational: W(by net force) =

KE(translational)

rotational:

KE(rotational) .

W(by net torque) =

4) A solid sphere with a radius of 75 mm rolls (without slipping) down an inclined plane that is 5 m long.
What is the angular velocity of the sphere at the bottom of the plane if it requires 10 seconds for it to
reach the bottom? What is the angle of the plane?
Solution: We note that a time is given in the problem.
Hence we must use the equations of motion. To see
where they will enter, we will take a W-E approach to
the problem. The figure is drawn, and we select Ug =
0 at the base. The work energy theorem is:
Wby me =

KE +

KE
KE

=0

= (1/2)mv

g 1

+ (1/2) I

= mg

#1

2
h

U
g 2

U + Wancf .

=0

Since the ball rolls without slipping then no work is done by, or against friction & Wancf 0. I clearly do
no work, so we have a problem of Conservation of total Mechanical Energy. Thus:
KEtop + Utop = M g h = KEbottom + Ubottom = (1/2)M v2 + (1/2) I 2 .
Note that the ball possesses both types of kinetic energy at the bottom. Thus:
M g h = (1/2)M v2 + (1/2)(2/5)M R2(v/R)2 g h1 = {(1/2) + (1/5)} v2 = (7/10)v2 .
Thus:

(10 / 7) g h

(1)

If the angle of the plane were known, then we could calculate 'h' and determine the speed at the bottom.
09-4
Associated with the 'bottom' we know the given quantity t = 10
seconds. This is where the equations of motion come into play.
Let us construct the equations of motion (translational) for the
CM of the ball. Choosing a CS as shown we have:
x(t) = (1/2) a t ;
2

a
x=0
x

v(t) = a t .

At t= 10 sec, x (10sec) = 5 m = (1/2) a (10)2, or

v o =0

a = 0.1 m/sec2 .

Thus the linear speed at the bottom is: v = (.1)(10) = 1 m/sec.

Since this is the same as the linear speed of a point on the surface of the sphere (it rolls without slipping),
then the angular speed at the bottom is
= v/r = (1 m/s)/(.075 m) = 13.3 rad/sec.
Using the result for v in equation (1) above, we calculate 'h'.
h = (7/10) v2/g = (.7)(1)2/(9.8) = .0714 m .
The angle of inclination of the plane is then determined as follows:
sin = h/(5m) = (.0714)/(5) = .01428
From a calculator this gives: = 0.818 degrees. However, we note that since the angle is small, then we
can use the approximation:
(For small - in radians): sin

Thus we could state the answer as: .01428 radians.

5) Assume that you are given the following information about the
system shown: m1, m2, M, R, I, , k .
When the system is released, block #1 accelerates downward.
Apply Newton's 2nd law to each of the objects in the system in
order to develop a set of equations that could be solved yielding
the acceleration of the system. Be certain to identify your 'known'
and 'unknown' quantities.

#1
A

09-5
Solution: We have a mixed translational and rotational
problem. Blocks 'A' & 'B' undergo translational motion
(1-dim.), while the pulley (our 3rd real object)
undergoes rotational motion. Let's start with block 'A':
For 'B':
For 'A':
(2)

Fx:

Fx: T1 - m A g sin - f k = m A a

fA
m

T2

T1

mAg cos

B
A

mAg sin

Fy: N A - m A g cos = 0 (3) ;

(4)

m B g - T2 = m B a (1)

NA

At this point our list of 'unknowns' includes: a, T1, T2, N, f k . We need another equation.
For pulley:
cw: T2 R - T1 R = I

#1

(5)

This gives us a 5th equation, but unfortunately also introduces a 'new

unknown', .

T1

T2

The solution of our difficulty rests in recognizing that the linear motions of the blocks and the rotational
motion of the pulley are inter-connected. Hence, we have, for any point on the outside edge of the pulley,
s = r

v = r

at= r

If the rope does not slip on the pulley, then the linear acceleration of any point on the rope is the same as
at for the outside edge of the pulley. But the linear acceleration of the rope is the same as that of the two
blocks. Thus:
at = a = R
(6)
Unknowns are: a, T1, T2, N, f k, . Thus six equations in six unknowns guarantees a solution.
6) A pulley has mass: m = 1 kg, radius: R = 10 cm, and a moment of inertia about its center of 0.8 m R 2.
It has a cord wrapped around it with one end fastened to the ceiling. The pulley wheel is released from
rest and falls a distance 'h'. (a) Consider the motion of the center of mass. Apply Newton's 2nd law to the
translational & rotational motions, and calculate the angular acceleration of the wheel, and the tension in
the cord. (b) Find the speed 'v' of the CM of the wheel after it has fallen a distance 'h' (let 'h' = 1 meter).

09-6
Solution: The figure is as shown, and we have all forces
acting on the wheel. The motion of the CM is governed by
Newton's 2nd law:
Fy: m g - T = m a (1)

T
R

#1

#1

The rotation of the object about its CM is governed by the

rotational 2nd law:

m g

ccw: T R = I

(2)

The two motions are not independent. They are 'inter-connected' through the relations:
s = r

v = r

at= r

Here 'v' represents the linear speed of a point on the outside of the wheel. This is the same as the linear
speed vcm of the CM. The acceleration of the CM, a cm , is the same as a t , the tangential acceleration
of a point on the outside rim of the wheel. Substituting for in equation (2), then gives:
mg - T = m a

(a)

T R = (.8) m R2 (a / R) T = (.8) m a

(b)

Eliminating T gives: m g = (1.8) m a a = g/(1.8) = 5.44 m/sec2.

= a /R = (5.44)/(.1) = 54.4 rad/sec2 . &

Then

T = .444 m g = 4.35 N.

If we construct equations of motion for the CM ( yo = 0; vo = 0), we have:

y(t) = (1/2) a t2 = (1/2)(5.44) t2 ;

v(t) = a t = 5.44 t .

When the wheel has 'fallen' a distance 'h', h = (1/2)(g/1.8) t'2 . This yields:
t'

( 2)(1.8) h / g v( t ' ) (g / 1.8) ( 2)(1.8) h / g

2 g h / 1 .8

Now we note that 1.8 = 18/10 = 9/5 so that we can write:

v( t ' )

( 2)(5 / 9) g h

. Numerically this gives: 3.3 m/sec.

Consider now this last equation for v(t'). It is somewhat familiar. We recall that if an object 'falls' (accel.=
2 g h . Where does the factor: (5/9) come from?
g) through a height 'h', then its speed is given by
Let us calculate the speed via work energy considerations. We have only two forces present: gravity
Ug; and
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the tension 'T'. What becomes of the work done by the torque produced by T? This is converted into
rotational kinetic energy. Hence the W-E theorem becomes:
W by me =

KE trans + KE rot + U + W ancf .

Thus, since the initial KE = 0, and

U = - m g h, then we have:

KEfinal = (1/2) m v2 + (1/2) I 2 = m g h .

Substituting: = v/R and I = (.8) m R2 we have:
m g h = (1/2) m v2 + (1/2)(.8) m R2 (v/R)2 .
The M cancels, and we have: g h = (1/2) v2 + (1/2)(8/10) v2 = (1/2){ 1 + 4/5 } v2 = (1/2)(9/5) v2
.
Thus we obtain the factor of 5/9 (rather than 1) since the potential energy in this problem is converted
into kinetic energy of both a translational, and a rotational nature.
7) A 25 kg boy stands 2 m from the center of a frictionless playground merry-go-round which has a
moment of inertia of 200 kg-m2. If the boy begins to run in a circular path with a speed of 0.6 m/sec
relative to the ground, calculate: (a) the angular velocity of the MGR and (b) the speed of the boy relative
to the surface of the MGR.
Solution: In order for the boy to acquire a velocity he must be accelerated. The force that accomplishes
this is friction. We have a problem in which forces of an unknown magnitude act between the boy & the
MGR. To eliminate these 'unknown' forces (& resulting unknown torques) we take a systems approach.
Initially the system has zero angular momentum. Suppose there is a
radial line painted on the MGR with an 'X' where the boy initially is
standing. As the boy runs ccw through an angle , the MGR
rotates cw by an angle .
Since there are no other forces but friction which can produce the
torque which results in the angular acceleration of the MGR (why
can't boy's weight contribute? ), then by treating the MGR & boy
together as one system we eliminate these 'internal' torques, and we
have conservation of angular momentum.
L I = L f I b bi I M Mi = I b bf IM Mf
Now:

bi = Mi = 0 or

L bf = - L Mf .

Hence: m r2 bf = m r2 (v/r) = (25)(2)(.6) = 30 kg-m2/s .

boy

o =0

09-8
Then L Mf = IM Mf = 200 Mf = 30 .
Thus

Mf = 200/30 = .15 rad/sec.

Consider now the linear speed of a point on the MGR under the boy (that is, at a distance of 2 m from
the center). This is:
vM = r M = (2)(.15) = 0.3 m/sec.
Since at any instant of time the point directly under the boy has a linear velocity of 0.3 m/sec in a direction
opposite to the direction the boy is moving, then the speed of the boy relative to the MGR is: 0.6 + 0.3
= 0.9 m/sec.
We might also ask the question: "When will the boy return to his starting position (the 'X')?" We can solve
this using either angular variables or linear variables. Consider the latter. In a time t the boy will move a
distance
s b = (.6) t relative to the ground. In the same time the 'X' will move a distance s X = (.3)t . The
boy will return to the 'X' if the sum of these two equals the circular distance around at a radius of 2m.
That is,
(.6) t + (.3) t = 2 r = (2)(3.14)(2)

t = 13.96 sec.

You will obtain the same result if you used the boy's velocity relative to the MGR.