"

Problems & Exercises

Problems & Exercises

8.1 Angular Acceleration

  1. At its peak, a tornado is 60.0 m in diameter and carries 500 km/h winds. What is its angular velocity in revolutions per second?
  2. Integrated Concepts: An ultracentrifuge accelerates from rest to 100,000 rpm in 2.00 min. (a) What is its angular acceleration in [latex]\text{rad}/\text{s}^{2}[/latex]? (b) What is the tangential acceleration of a point 9.50 cm from the axis of rotation? (c) What is the radial acceleration in [latex]\text{m}/\text{s}^{2}[/latex] and multiples of [latex]g[/latex] of this point at full rpm?
  3. Integrated Concepts: You have a grindstone (a disk) that is 90.0 kg, has a 0.340-m radius, and is turning at 90.0 rpm, and you press a steel axe against it with a radial force of 20.0 N. (a) Assuming the kinetic coefficient of friction between steel and stone is 0.20, calculate the angular acceleration of the grindstone. (b) How many turns will the stone make before coming to rest?
  4. Unreasonable Results: You are told that a basketball player spins the ball with an angular acceleration of [latex]\text{100} \textrm{ }\text{rad}/\text{s}^{2}[/latex]. (a) What is the ball’s final angular velocity if the ball starts from rest and the acceleration lasts 2.00 s? (b) What is unreasonable about the result? (c) Which premises are unreasonable or inconsistent?

8.2 Kinematics of Rotational Motion

  1. With the aid of a string, a gyroscope is accelerated from rest to 32 rad/s in 0.40 s. (a) What is its angular acceleration in rad/s2? (b) How many revolutions does it go through in the process?
  2. Suppose a piece of dust finds itself on a CD. If the spin rate of the CD is 500 rpm, and the piece of dust is 4.3 cm from the center, what is the total distance traveled by the dust in 3 minutes? (Ignore accelerations due to getting the CD rotating.)
  3. A gyroscope slows from an initial rate of 32.0 rad/s at a rate of [latex]0 . \text{700} \textrm{ }\text{rad}/\text{s}^{2}[/latex]. (a) How long does it take to come to rest? (b) How many revolutions does it make before stopping?
  4. During a very quick stop, a car decelerates at [latex]7 . \text{00} \textrm{ }\text{m}/\text{s}^{2}[/latex]. (a) What is the angular acceleration of its 0.280-m-radius tires, assuming they do not slip on the pavement? (b) How many revolutions do the tires make before coming to rest, given their initial angular velocity is [latex]\text{95} . 0 \textrm{ }\text{rad}/\text{s}[/latex]? (c) How long does the car take to stop completely? (d) What distance does the car travel in this time? (e) What was the car’s initial velocity? (f) Do the values obtained seem reasonable, considering that this stop happens very quickly?
The figure shows the left arm of a man with tattoo imprints and wearing a glove. He is circulating a yo-yo toy, which is in mid air and connected by the string to his hand. Some people are standing in the background watching the yo-yo trick.

Figure 8.28   Yo-yos are amusing toys that display significant physics and are engineered to enhance performance based on physical laws. Image from OpenStax College Physics 2e, CC-BY 4.0

  1. Everyday application: Suppose a yo-yo has a center shaft that has a 0.250 cm radius and that its string is being pulled. (a) If the string is stationary and the yo-yo accelerates away from it at a rate of [latex]1 . \text{50} \textrm{ }\text{m}/\text{s}^{2}[/latex], what is the angular acceleration of the yo-yo? (b) What is the angular velocity after 0.750 s if it starts from rest? (c) The outside radius of the yo-yo is 3.50 cm. What is the tangential acceleration of a point on its edge?

8.3 Dynamics of Rotational Motion: Rotational Inertia

  1. This problem considers additional aspects of Example 8.7: Calculating the Effect of Mass Distribution on a Merry-Go-Round. (a) Consider part b of that example, when the child is sitting on the merry-go-round. How long does it take the father to give the merry-go-round an angular velocity of 1.50 rad/s? (b) How many revolutions must he go through to generate this velocity? (c) If he exerts a slowing force of 300 N at a radius of 1.35 m, how long would it take him to stop them?
  2. Calculate the moment of inertia of a skater given the following information. (a) The 60.0-kg skater is approximated as a cylinder that has a 0.110-m radius. (b) The skater with arms extended is approximately a cylinder that is 52.5 kg, has a 0.110-m radius, and has two 0.900-m-long arms which are 3.75 kg each and extend straight out from the cylinder like rods rotated about their ends.
  3. The triceps muscle in the back of the upper arm extends the forearm. This muscle in a professional boxer exerts a force of [latex]\text{2}.\text{00} \times \text{10}^{3} \text{N}[/latex] with an effective perpendicular lever arm of 3.00 cm, producing an angular acceleration of the forearm of [latex]\text{120} \text{rad}/\text{s}^{2}[/latex]. What is the moment of inertia of the boxer’s forearm?
  4. A soccer player extends her lower leg in a kicking motion by exerting a force with the muscle above the knee in the front of her leg. She produces an angular acceleration of [latex]30.00 rad/ \text{s}^{2}[/latex] and her lower leg has a moment of inertia of [latex]\text{0}.\text{750 kg} \cdot \text{m}^{2}[/latex]. What is the force exerted by the muscle if its effective perpendicular lever arm is 1.90 cm?
  5. Suppose you exert a force of 180 N tangential to a 0.280-m-radius 75.0-kg grindstone (a solid disk). (a)What torque is exerted? (b) What is the angular acceleration assuming negligible opposing friction? (c) What is the angular acceleration if there is an opposing frictional force of 20.0 N exerted 1.50 cm from the axis?
  6. Consider the 12.0 kg motorcycle wheel shown in Figure 8.29. Assume it to be approximately an annular ring with an inner radius of 0.280 m and an outer radius of 0.330 m. The motorcycle is on its center stand, so that the wheel can spin freely. (a) If the drive chain exerts a force of 2200 N at a radius of 5.00 cm, what is the angular acceleration of the wheel? (b) What is the tangential acceleration of a point on the outer edge of the tire? (c) How long, starting from rest, does it take to reach an angular velocity of 80.0 rad/s?
The given figure shows the rear wheel of a motorcycle. A force F is indicated by a red arrow pointing leftward at a distance r from its center. Two arrows representing radii R-one and R-two are also indicated. A curved yellow arrow indicates an acceleration alpha and a curved blue arrow indicates an angular velocity omega, both in counter-clockwise direction.

Figure 8.29   A motorcycle wheel has a moment of inertia approximately that of an annular ring. Image from OpenStax College Physics 2e, CC-BY 4.0

Image Description

The image is a diagram of a motorcycle’s rear wheel, showcasing various mechanical forces and components. Here’s a description of the elements:

– The wheel is depicted with a suspension system, illustrated by a coil spring connected to the motorcycle frame.
– There are various arrows indicating forces and directions:
– A red arrow labeled “F” pointing to the left, representing an applied force.
– A yellow arrow indicating an angle “α” pointing in a clockwise direction, suggesting angular motion or force.
– A blue arrow around the wheel showing “ω,” representing angular velocity, moving in a clockwise direction.
– Two black arrows labeled “R₁” and “R₂” extending from the wheel’s center, denoting radii or distances related to the wheel’s rotation.
– The wheel appears to be engaged in motion, with the forces and directions illustrating the dynamics involved.
– The motorcycle’s frame is shown in an orange shade with a portion of a seat visible, emphasizing the placement of the suspension and rear wheel.

This diagram likely serves to illustrate the mechanics of wheel movement and the forces acting upon it in a mechanical or engineering context.

  1. Zorch, an archenemy of Superman, decides to slow Earth’s rotation to once per 28.0 h by exerting an opposing force at and parallel to the equator. Superman is not immediately concerned, because he knows Zorch can only exert a force of [latex]4.00 \times \text{10}^{7} \text{N}[/latex] (a little greater than a Saturn V rocket’s thrust). How long must Zorch push with this force to accomplish his goal? (This period gives Superman time to devote to other villains.) Explicitly show how you follow the steps found in Problem-Solving Strategy for Rotational Dynamics.
  2. An automobile engine can produce 200 N ∙ m of torque. Calculate the angular acceleration produced if 95.0% of this torque is applied to the drive shaft, axle, and rear wheels of a car, given the following information. The car is suspended so that the wheels can turn freely. Each wheel acts like a 15.0 kg disk that has a 0.180 m radius. The walls of each tire act like a 2.00-kg annular ring that has inside radius of 0.180 m and outside radius of 0.320 m. The tread of each tire acts like a 10.0-kg hoop of radius 0.330 m. The 14.0-kg axle acts like a rod that has a 2.00-cm radius. The 30.0-kg drive shaft acts like a rod that has a 3.20-cm radius.
  3. Starting with the formula for the moment of inertia of a rod rotated around an axis through one end perpendicular to its length [latex]\left(\right. I = Mℓ^{2} / 3 \left.\right)[/latex] , prove that the moment of inertia of a rod rotated about an axis through its center perpendicular to its length is [latex]I = Mℓ^{2} / 12[/latex]. You will find the graphics in Figure 8.11 useful in visualizing these rotations.
  4. Unreasonable Results: A gymnast doing a forward flip lands on the mat and exerts a 500-N ∙ m torque to slow their angular velocity to zero. Their initial angular velocity is 10.0 rad/s, and their moment of inertia is [latex]0.050 \text{kg} \cdot \text{m}^{2}[/latex]. (a) What time is required for the gymnast to exactly stop their spin? (b) What is unreasonable about the result? (c) Which premises are unreasonable or inconsistent?
  5. Unreasonable Results: An advertisement claims that an 800-kg car is aided by its 20.0-kg flywheel, which can accelerate the car from rest to a speed of 30.0 m/s. The flywheel is a disk with a 0.150-m radius. (a) Calculate the angular velocity the flywheel must have if 95.0% of its rotational energy is used to get the car up to speed. (b) What is unreasonable about the result? (c) Which premise is unreasonable or which premises are inconsistent?

8.4 Rotational Kinetic Energy: Work and Energy Revisited

  1. This problem considers energy and work aspects of Example 8.7 — use data from that example as needed. (a) Calculate the rotational kinetic energy in the merry-go-round plus child when they have an angular velocity of 20.0 rpm. (b) Using energy considerations, find the number of revolutions the father will have to push to achieve this angular velocity starting from rest. (c) Again, using energy considerations, calculate the force the father must exert to stop the merry-go-round in two revolutions
  2. What is the final velocity of a hoop that rolls without slipping down a 5.00-m-high hill, starting from rest?
  3. (a) Calculate the rotational kinetic energy of Earth on its axis. (b) What is the rotational kinetic energy of Earth in its orbit around the Sun?
  4. Calculate the rotational kinetic energy in the motorcycle wheel (Figure 8.29) if its angular velocity is 120 rad/s. Assume M = 12.0 kg, R1 = 0.280 m, and R2 = 0.330 m.
  5. A baseball pitcher throws the ball in a motion where there is rotation of the forearm about the elbow joint as well as other movements. If the linear velocity of the ball relative to the elbow joint is 20.0 m/s at a distance of 0.480 m from the joint and the moment of inertia of the forearm is [latex]\text{0}.\text{500 kg} \cdot \text{m}^{2}[/latex], what is the rotational kinetic energy of the forearm?
  6. While punting a football, a kicker rotates her leg about the hip joint. The moment of inertia of the leg is [latex]\text{3}.\text{75 kg} \cdot \text{m}^{2}[/latex] and its rotational kinetic energy is 175 J. (a) What is the angular velocity of the leg? (b) What is the velocity of tip of the punter’s shoe if it is 1.05 m from the hip joint? (c) Explain how the football can be given a velocity greater than the tip of the shoe (necessary for a decent kick distance).
  7. A bus contains a 1500 kg flywheel (a disk that has a 0.600 m radius) and has a total mass of 10,000 kg. (a) Calculate the angular velocity the flywheel must have to contain enough energy to take the bus from rest to a speed of 20.0 m/s, assuming 90.0% of the rotational kinetic energy can be transformed into translational energy. (b) How high a hill can the bus climb with this stored energy and still have a speed of 3.00 m/s at the top of the hill? Explicitly show how you follow the steps in the Problem-Solving Strategy for Rotational Energy.
  8. A ball with an initial velocity of 8.00 m/s rolls up a hill without slipping. Treating the ball as a spherical shell, calculate the vertical height it reaches. (b) Repeat the calculation for the same ball if it slides up the hill without rolling.
  9. While exercising in a fitness center, a man lies face down on a bench and lifts a weight with one lower leg by contacting the muscles in the back of the upper leg. (a) Find the angular acceleration produced given the mass lifted is 10.0 kg at a distance of 28.0 cm from the knee joint, the moment of inertia of the lower leg is [latex]\text{0}.\text{900 kg} \cdot \text{m}^{2}[/latex], the muscle force is 1500 N, and its effective perpendicular lever arm is 3.00 cm. (b) How much work is done if the leg rotates through an angle of [latex]\text{20}.\text{0}º[/latex] with a constant force exerted by the muscle?
  10. To develop muscle tone, a woman lifts a 2.00-kg weight held in her hand. She uses her biceps muscle to flex the lower arm through an angle of [latex]\text{60}.\text{0}º[/latex]. (a) What is the angular acceleration if the weight is 24.0 cm from the elbow joint, her forearm has a moment of inertia of [latex]\text{0}.\text{250 kg} \cdot \text{m}^{2}[/latex], and the net force she exerts is 750 N at an effective perpendicular lever arm of 2.00 cm? (b) How much work does she do?
  11. Consider two cylinders that start down identical inclines from rest except that one is frictionless. Thus one cylinder rolls without slipping, while the other slides frictionlessly without rolling. They both travel a short distance at the bottom and then start up another incline. (a) Show that they both reach the same height on the other incline, and that this height is equal to their original height. (b) Find the ratio of the time the rolling cylinder takes to reach the height on the second incline to the time the sliding cylinder takes to reach the height on the second incline. (c) Explain why the time for the rolling motion is greater than that for the sliding motion.
  12. What is the moment of inertia of an object that rolls without slipping down a 2.00-m-high incline starting from rest, and has a final velocity of 6.00 m/s? Express the moment of inertia as a multiple of [latex]\mathit{MR}^{2}[/latex], where [latex]M[/latex] is the mass of the object and [latex]R[/latex] is its radius.
  13. Suppose a 200-kg motorcycle has two wheels like, the one described in Problem 8.15 and is heading toward a hill at a speed of 30.0 m/s. (a) How high can it coast up the hill, if you neglect friction? (b) How much energy is lost to friction if the motorcycle only gains an altitude of 35.0 m before coming to rest?
  14. In softball, the pitcher throws with the arm fully extended (straight at the elbow). In a fast pitch the ball leaves the hand with a speed of 139 km/h. (a) Find the rotational kinetic energy of the pitcher’s arm and ball together given that the arm’s moment of inertia is [latex]\text{0}.\text{720 kg} \cdot \text{m}^{2}[/latex] and the ball leaves the hand at a distance of 0.600 m from the pivot at the shoulder. (b) What force did the muscles exert to cause the arm to rotate if their effective perpendicular lever arm is 4.00 cm and the ball is 0.156 kg?
  15. Construct Your Own Problem: Consider the work done by a spinning skater pulling his arms in to increase his rate of spin. Construct a problem in which you calculate the work done with a “force multiplied by distance” calculation and compare it to the skater’s increase in kinetic energy.

8.5 Angular Momentum and Its Conservation

  1. (a) Calculate the angular momentum of the Earth in its orbit around the Sun. (b) Compare this angular momentum with the angular momentum of Earth on its axis.
  2. (a) What is the angular momentum of the Moon in its orbit around Earth? (b) How does this angular momentum compare with the angular momentum of the Moon on its axis? Remember that the Moon keeps one side toward Earth at all times. (c) Discuss whether the values found in parts (a) and (b) seem consistent with the fact that tidal effects with Earth have caused the Moon to rotate with one side always facing Earth.
  3. Suppose you start an antique car by exerting a force of 300 N on its crank for 0.250 s. What angular momentum is given to the engine if the handle of the crank is 0.300 m from the pivot and the force is exerted to create maximum torque the entire time?
  4. A playground merry-go-round has a mass of 120 kg and a radius of 1.80 m and it is rotating with an angular velocity of 0.500 rev/s. What is its angular velocity after a 22.0-kg child gets onto it by grabbing its outer edge? The child is initially at rest.
  5. Three children are riding on the edge of a merry-go-round that is 100 kg, has a 1.60-m radius, and is spinning at 20.0 rpm. The children have masses of 22.0, 28.0, and 33.0 kg. If the child who has a mass of 28.0 kg moves to the center of the merry-go-round, what is the new angular velocity in rpm?
  6. (a) Calculate the angular momentum of an ice skater spinning at 6.00 rev/s given his moment of inertia is [latex]0 . \text{400} \text{kg} \cdot \text{m}^{2}[/latex]. (b) He reduces his rate of spin (his angular velocity) by extending his arms and increasing his moment of inertia. Find the value of his moment of inertia if his angular velocity decreases to 1.25 rev/s. (c) Suppose instead he keeps his arms in and allows friction of the ice to slow him to 3.00 rev/s. What average torque was exerted if this takes 15.0 s?
  7. Construct Your Own Problem Consider the Earth-Moon system. Construct a problem in which you calculate the total angular momentum of the system including the spins of the Earth and the Moon on their axes and the orbital angular momentum of the Earth-Moon system in its nearly monthly rotation. Calculate what happens to the Moon’s orbital radius if the Earth’s rotation decreases due to tidal drag. Among the things to be considered are the amount by which the Earth’s rotation slows and the fact that the Moon will continue to have one side always facing the Earth.
“Problems & Exercises” from College Physics 2e by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

College Physics Copyright © 2025 by Dr. Iftekhar Haque is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book