Department of Physical Science

Faculty of Applied Science

University of Vavuniya

Second Semester –2020/2021

AMA2213 - Mechanics
Tutorial - 02
21.07.2023

Rocket Motion

1. The rocket of initial mass 2𝑀 is launched from rest vertically upwards under gravity. The burnt
2𝑀
fuel is expelled vertically downwards at a speed 𝑔𝑘 relative to the rocket at a constant rate ,
𝑘
where 𝑘 is the constant. Neglecting air resistance and variation in gravitational attraction.
i. Show that the velocity of the rocket at time 𝑡 is given by
𝑘
𝑣 = 𝑔𝑘 ln ( ) − 𝑔𝑡
𝑘−𝑡

ii. If half of its initial mass is available for ejection, then show that its greatest velocity 𝑣𝑓
is given by
1
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑔𝑘 (ln 2 − )
2

2. A rocket of initial total mass 𝑀 propels itself by ejecting mass at a constant rate 𝛽 per unit time
with speed 𝑢 relative to the rocket. If the rocket is at rest, directed vertically upwards, and then
leaves the ground, so that at time 𝑡 its velocity is 𝑣,
i. Prove that
𝛽𝑡
𝑣 = −𝑢 ln (1 − ) − 𝑔𝑡
𝑀

ii. Show that if the mass of the rocket has been reduced to half of its initial value, then its
height above the ground level will be
𝑢𝑀 𝑀𝑔
{1 − ln 2 − }
2𝛽 4𝛽𝑢

𝑡
3. A rocket of initial mass 𝑀 has a mass 𝑀 (1 − 3) at time 𝑡. The rocket is launched from rest
vertically upwards under gravity and expels burnt fuel at a speed 𝑢 relative to the rocket
vertically downward. Find the speed and height above the launching pad when 𝑡 = 1.
4. From a rocket which is free to move vertically upwards, matter is ejected downwards with
2𝑀
constant relative velocity 𝑔𝑇 at a constant rate . Initially the rocket is at rest and has
𝑇
mass 2𝑀, half of which is available for ejection. Neglecting air resistance and variations in
gravitational attraction, show that the greatest upward speed is attained when the mass of the
rocket is reduced to 𝑀, and determine this speed. Show that the rocket rises to a
1
height 2 𝑔𝑇 2(1 − log 2)2.

Cycloid Motion

1. A smooth wire in the form of an arch of a cycloid with intrinsic equation:

𝜋 𝜋
𝑠 = 4𝑎 sin 𝜓, − ≤ 𝜓 ≤
2 2
is fixed in a vertical plane, the vertex O being the lowest point of the wire where the tangent
is horizontal. A bead, of mass m. which can slide freely on the wire. is released from rest
𝜋
at the point where 𝜓 =
6

a) Find the periodic time of oscillation of the bead.

b) Show that the normal contact force exerted by the wire on the bead at a point where the
tangent makes an angle 𝜃 with the horizontal is:
1
𝑚𝑔 sec 𝜃 (8 cos 2 𝜃 − 3)
4

2. A particle P of unit mass slides down a tube in the form of a cycloid 𝑠 = 4𝑎 sin 𝜓 with its
𝜋
axis vertical and vertex downwards. The particle starts from rest at a cusp (𝜓 = 2), The
resistance to motion along the tube is 𝑘𝑣 2 where v is the speed of P. Find the speed 𝑣0 of
P at the vertex and show that when k is small
8
𝑣0 = (1 − 𝑎𝑘) 𝑢
3
where u is the speed at the vertex when k is zero.

3. A smooth wire is bent into the form of the curve C with equation:
𝜋
𝑦 = ln sec 𝑥, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤
2
The wire is fixed in a vertical plane with the y-axis vertically downwards and a small bead
of mass m is placed at the origin. The bead is displaced gently from rest. Show that the
magnitude of the normal contact force exerted by the wire on the bead at the point where
𝜋 1
𝑥 = is: 𝑚𝑔 (ln 2 − 2)
3
 Catenary
1. A rope of length 2𝑙 meters is suspended between two points at the same level, and the
lowest point of the rope is 𝑏 meters below the points of suspension. Show that the
𝑤
horizontal component of the tension is 2𝑏 {𝑙2 − 𝑏2}, 𝑤 being the weight of the rope per
meter tally we have of its length.

2. A uniform chain of length 𝑙 is to be suspended from two points 𝐴 and 𝐵 in the same
horizontal line so that either terminal tension is 𝑛 times that at the lowest point. Show that
the span 𝐴𝐵 must be
1
ln [𝑛 + √{(𝑛2 − 1)}]
√(𝑛2 − 1)

3. A uniform chain of length 2𝑙 is suspended by its ends which on the same horizontal level.
The distance apart (2𝑎) of the ends is such that the lowest point of the chain is at a distance
a vertically below the ends. Prove that if 𝑐 be the distance of the lowest point from the
directrix of the catenary, then
2𝑎 2 𝑙+𝑎 𝑎 2𝑎𝑙
𝑙2 −𝑎 2
= ln 𝑙−𝑎 and tanh 𝑐 = 𝑙2 +𝑎 2

4. The end links of a uniform chain slide along a fixed rough horizontal rod. Prove that the
ratio of the maximum span to the length of the chain is
1+√[(1+𝜇 2)]
𝜇 ln where 𝜇 is the coefficient of friction.
𝜇

5. If 𝛼, 𝛽 be the inclinations to the horizon of the tangents at the extremities of a portion of a

common catenary, and 𝑙 the length of the portion, show that height of one extremity above
the other is
1
𝑙 sin (𝛼+𝛽)
2
1 the two extremities being on one side of the vertex of the catenary.
cos (𝛼−𝛽)
2

6. A heavy uniform chain 𝐴𝐵 hangs freely under gravity with the end 𝐴 fixed and the other
end 𝐵 attached by a light string 𝐵𝐸 to a fixed point 𝐸 at the same level as 𝐴. The lengths
of the string and chain are such that the ends of the chain at 𝐴 and 𝐵 make angles of 60𝑜
and 30𝑜 respectively with the horizontal. Prove that the ratio of these lengths is
(√3 − 1): 1.

7. A uniform string of weight 𝑊 is suspended from two points at the same level and a weight
𝑊 ′ is attached to its lowest point. If 𝛼 and 𝛽 are now the inclinations to the horizontal of
tan 𝛼 𝑊
the tangents at the highest and lowest points, prove that = 1+ ′
tan 𝛽 𝑊