Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Tutorial # 3
Course: PH 101: Physics I (2020)
Discussion: 8:00 am to 8:55 am on 11th December, 2020
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1. A particle located at a point (x0 , y0 ) (in the Cartesian coordinate) is
2 2
experiencing a potential of functional form, U = U0 ex /a sin 2πy
b
, where
U0 , a and b are the constants. Find the magnitude and direction of the
maximum rate of change in U with position.

Solution: Gradient of U , (∇U ~ ) will represent the direction and

magnitude of maximum rate of change with position.
~ = U0 ex2 /a2 [sin 2πy 2x2 x̂ + 2π cos 2πy ŷ]
∇U b a b b
2 2
So at point (x0 , y0 ), it will be U0 ex0 /a [sin 2πy0 2x0
b a2
x̂ + 2π
b
cos 2πy
b
0
ŷ]
We can find the magnitude and the direction of the above vector.

2. (a) Determine whether the following forces are conservative or non-

conservative . (b) Make a vector sketch (magnitude and direction) of
the forces, (i) to (iii) at some points on a circle centered at origin.
(i)F~1 = B1 (yx̂ − xŷ), B1 is a constant.
(ii)F~2 = B2 (y 2 x̂ − x2 ŷ), B2 is a constant.
(iii)F~3 = −A(x2 + y 2 )(xx̂ + y ŷ), A is a constant.
(iv)F~4 = (y 2 cosx + z 3 )x̂ + (2ysinx − 4)ŷ + (3xz 2 + 2)ẑ. In this case you
need not sketch the force.

Solution: See on the next page.

3. Find the work done by the following forces for the two different closed
paths: (a) Anti-clock wise circular path centered at origin with radius
R (b) A clock-wise rectangular path centered at origin with length 2a
along x-direction and breadth 2b along y-direction.
(i)F~1 = B1 (yx̂ − xŷ), B1 is a constant.
(ii)F~2 = B2 (y 2 x̂ − x2 ŷ), B2 is a constant.
(iii)F~3 = −Ar3 r̂, A is a constant.

1
Solution 2(a):
𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
⃗ × 𝐹 = 0 => |
For any conservative force, ∇ |=0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧

(i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F1 = B1 (𝑦 𝑥̂ − 𝑥 𝑦̂)
𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂ 𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
⃗∇ × 𝐹 = | | = B1 |𝜕𝑥 | = −2B1 𝑧̂ ≠ 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧 𝑦 −𝑥 0

So, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F1 is non-conservative.

(ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F2 = B2 (𝑦 2 𝑥̂ − 𝑥 2 𝑦̂)
𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂ 𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
⃗ × 𝐹=|
∇ | = B2 | 𝜕𝑥 | = -2 B2 (𝑥 + 𝑦) 𝑧̂ ≠ 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧 𝑦2 −𝑥 2
0

So, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F2 is non-conservative.

(iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F3 = −𝐴(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )(𝑥𝑥̂ + 𝑦𝑦̂)
𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂ 𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
⃗∇ × 𝐹 = | | = −A | | = 𝑧̂ (2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦) = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧 2
(𝑥 + 𝑦 )𝑥 2 (𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 )𝑦
0

So, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F3 is conservative.

(iv) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F4 = (𝑦 2 cos 𝑥 + 𝑧 3 )𝑥̂ + (2𝑦 sin 𝑥 − 4) 𝑦̂ + (3𝑥𝑧 2 + 2)𝑧̂
𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂ 𝑥̂ 𝑦̂ 𝑧̂
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
⃗∇ × 𝐹 = | |=| |
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧 2
𝑦 cos 𝑥 + 𝑧 3
2𝑦 sin 𝑥 − 4 3𝑥𝑧 + 2 2

= 𝑥̂ (0 − 0) − 𝑦̂(3𝑧 2 − 3𝑧 2 ) + 𝑧̂ (2𝑦𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 2𝑦𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥)= 0

So, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F4 is conservative.
Solution 2(b):

Figure showing the vector sketch of the forces ⃗⃗⃗⃗

F1 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F3 respectively (from Left to
Right)

Solution: 3 (a)(i):

Given, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F1 = B1 (𝑦 𝑥̂ − 𝑥 𝑦̂), where B1 is constant
Since the path is circular, it is better to write the force in polar coordinate.
Using the following transformations,

𝑥̂ = cos 𝜃 𝑟̂ − sin 𝜃 𝜃̂

𝑦̂ = sin 𝜃 𝑟̂ + cos 𝜃 𝜃̂
We have,

F1 = B1 [𝑅 sin 𝜃 (cos 𝜃 𝑟̂ − sin 𝜃 𝜃̂) − 𝑅 cos 𝜃 (sin 𝜃 𝑟̂ + cos 𝜃 𝜃̂)]

⃗⃗⃗⃗

Since path is circular,

⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 = 𝑅𝑑𝜃𝜃̂
Thus,
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ = F𝜃 𝑅𝑑𝜃 = - R B1 [−𝑅]𝑅𝑑𝜃
F1 . 𝑑𝑙
The work done by the Force,
2𝜋
𝑊 = ∫ B1 [−𝑅]𝑅𝑑 𝜃 = −2𝜋B1 𝑅 2
0
Solution: 3 (b)(i):

Given, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F1 = B1 (𝑦 𝑥̂ − 𝑥 𝑦̂), where B1 is constant.

We know, ⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑥̂ + 𝑑𝑦 𝑦̂
Breaking the closed path into 4 paths as shown in figure.
For path (i):
y= b = constant and thus dy=0
x: -a  +a

So, ⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑥̂ + 𝑑𝑦 𝑦̂ = 𝑑𝑥 𝑥̂

F1 . ⃗⃗⃗
Thus, ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑙 = B1 𝑏𝑑𝑥
The work done by the Force along path (i),
+𝑎
𝑊1 = ∫ B1 𝑏 𝑑𝑥 = 2B1 𝑎𝑏
−𝑎

For path (ii):

x= a = constant and thus dx=0
y: +b  -b

So, ⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑥̂ + 𝑑𝑦 𝑦̂ = 𝑑𝑦 𝑦̂

F1 . ⃗⃗⃗
Thus, ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑙 = −B1 𝑎𝑑𝑦
The work done by the Force along path (ii),
−𝑏
𝑊2 = ∫ −B1 𝑎 𝑑𝑦 = 2B1 𝑎𝑏
𝑏

For path (iii):

y= -b = constant and thus dy=0
x: +a  -a

So, ⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑥̂ + 𝑑𝑦 𝑦̂ = 𝑑𝑥 𝑥̂

F1 . ⃗⃗⃗
Thus, ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑙 = −B1 𝑏𝑑𝑥
The work done by the Force along path (iii),
−𝑎
𝑊3 = ∫ −B1 𝑏 𝑑𝑥 = 2B1 𝑎𝑏
𝑎
For path (iv):
x= -a = constant and thus dx=0
y: -b  +b

So, ⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑥̂ + 𝑑𝑦 𝑦̂ = 𝑑𝑦 𝑦̂

F1 . ⃗⃗⃗
Thus, ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑙 = B1 𝑎𝑑𝑦
The work done by the Force along path (iv),
𝑏
𝑊4 = ∫ B1 𝑎 𝑑𝑦 = 2B1 𝑎𝑏
−𝑏

Therefore, the total work done by the force, W= 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 + 𝑊3 + 𝑊4 = 8B1 𝑎𝑏

Solution: 3 (a)(ii):

Given, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F2 = B2 (𝑦 2 𝑥̂ − 𝑥 2 𝑦̂), where B2 is constant
Following the same way as that of solution 2(a)(i), we will have,

F2 . ⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑙 = F2𝜃 𝑅𝑑𝜃
Where,
𝐹2𝜃 = B2 𝑅 2 [−𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃]

The work done by the Force,

2𝜋 2𝜋
𝑊 = ∫ F2𝜃 𝑅𝑑𝜃 = ∫ B2 𝑅 2 [−𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃]𝑅𝑑𝜃 = 0
0 0
2𝜋 2𝜋
Because, ∫0 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃𝑑𝜃 = ∫0 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃𝑑𝜃 =0

Solution 3(b)(ii):

Given, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F2 = B2 (𝑦 2 𝑥̂ − 𝑥 2 𝑦̂), where B2 is constant
Following the same way as that of solution 3(b)(i), we will have,
For path (i),

𝑑𝑊1 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ = F𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = B2 𝑏 2 𝑑𝑥

F2 . 𝑑𝑙
+𝑎
Thus, 𝑊1 = ∫−𝑎 B2 𝑏 2 𝑑𝑥 = 2B2 𝑎𝑏 2
For path (iii),

F2 . ⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑊3 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑙 = F𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = B2 𝑏 2 𝑑𝑥
−𝑎
Thus, 𝑊3 = ∫𝑎 B2 𝑏 2 𝑑𝑥 = −2B2 𝑎𝑏 2

So, for path (i) and path (ii), 𝑊1 + 𝑊3 = 0

Simmilarly, for path (ii) and path (iv), 𝑊2 + 𝑊4 = 0
So, the total workdone by the force along this closed path, 𝑊 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊3 + 𝑊2 + 𝑊4 = 0
Note that this force was concluded as non-conservative in the answer of the previous
question and hence we may expect that in closed loop, the total work done will be non-
zero.
However, this is possible that the total work done for some closed loop can be zero but
not for all or any arbitary closed loop.
For example if we take closed loop which is asymmetric about origin such as any half
circle, the total work done will be non-zero.
Solution: 3 (a)(iii):

Given, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
F3 = −A𝑟 3 𝑟̂ where A is constant
⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑅𝑑𝜃𝜃̂
When, the path is circular, 𝑑𝑙

So, ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ = 0 and Work done by the force on the circular path will be zero.
F3 . 𝑑𝑙
Solution: 3 (b)(iii):
Re-writing the force in cartesian coordinate,
⃗⃗⃗⃗
F3 = −A𝑟 2 𝑟𝑟̂ = −A𝑟 2 𝑟 = −𝐴(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )(𝑥𝑥̂ + 𝑦𝑦̂)
For path (i): y=b, dy=0 and x: -a a
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ = F𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = −A (𝑥 2 + 𝑏 2 ) x dx
F3 . 𝑑𝑙
𝑎
Thus, 𝑊1 = − ∫−𝑎 A (𝑥 2 + 𝑏 2 ) x dx = 0

(Since both are odd integrals)

Similarly, 𝑊2 = 𝑊3 = 𝑊4 = 0
Hence, the work done by the force along this path is zero.
4. Two charges (+Q) are fixed at points A and B (x = 0, y = ±L) in the
horizontal plane as shown in figure. The center of mass (C.M.) of a rod
of length 2l is free to move along X-axis in the horizontal plane. Two
charges (−q) are attached at two ends of the rod. The rod is free to
rotate only about an axis perpendicular to the XY plane and passing
through C.M.
(i) Write the constraints of the motion and find the degree of freedom.
(ii) For | + Q| >> | − q|, write the potential energy of the rod, if its
C.M. is at (x, 0) and making an angle θ with positive Y-axis as shown
in figure below.
(iii) For L>> l, L>> x and θ to be very small, find the approximated
potential.

+Q
A

L -q Y
x θ
O l
O X

-q
L

B
+Q

Solution: (i) Constrains of the motion y = 0, z = 0 angle of rotation

about the X and Y- axis is constant. Degree of freedom will be 2.
(ii)

1
 +Q
A (0, L)

L
-q Y
M
θ (x+lsinθ, lcosθ)
x l
O l O X
N -q θ
L (x-lsinθ, -lcosθ)

B (0, -L)
+Q

From the above figure,

Considering | + Q| >> | − q| the potential
 energy of the rod will be
Qq 1 1 1 1
U = − 4π + + + . where,
p 0 AC AD BC BD
AC = p(L − lcosθ)2 + (x + lsinθ)2
AD = p(L + lcosθ)2 + (x − lsinθ)2
BC = p(L + lcosθ)2 + (x + lsinθ)2
BD = (L − cosθ)2 + (x − lsinθ)2
As we know that
p distance between two points (x0 , y0 ) and (x1 , y1 )
is written as (x1 − x0 )2 + (y1 − y0 )2
(iii) Considering
 L >> l 
2Qq √ 1 1
U ≈ − 4π +√ .
0 L2 +(x+lsinθ)2 L2 +(x−lsinθ)2
Considering θ to be small sinθ ≈ θ 
2Qq √ 2 1
U ≈ − 4π 2
+√ 2 1 2
.
0 L +(x+lθ) L +(x−lθ)
h i
2Qq x2 +l2 θ2
Further considering L >> x; U ≈ − 4π0L
2− L2
.

5. A block of mass m tied with two springs of length L and spring con-
stant k, are held on a friction-less horizontal table. The other end of

2
the springs are fixed on the horizontal table (gravity is perpendicular
to the horizontal plane). The block is displaced by an amount x in per-
pendicular direction to the length of both the spring in the horizontal
plane as shown in figure below.
(i) Find the potential energy of the block for this displacement.
(ii) For the small displacement, x << L, will the block exhibit simple
harmonic motion?

B Fixed

L Y

Block m
X
x

Fixed
A

Solution: √ √
(i) The potential energy U = 2× 12 k[ L2 + x2 −L]2 = k[ L2 + x2 −
p
L]2 = kL2 [ 1 + x2 /L2 − 1]2
 2 2
(ii) For L>>x; U ≈ kL2 [1 + 21 Lx 2 − 1]2 So U = kx4 /(4L2 ). This
is not a harmonic potential. So it will not exhibit simple harmonic
motion.