RSM79-P1-LOM-PH-17

8. Solved Problems
8.1 Subjective

Problem 1: A particle of mass m, originally at rest, is subjected to a force whose

direction is constant but whose magnitude varies with the time according
to the relation
 2
1    
t T
F = F0 
  ,
 T  
 
where F0 and T are constants. The force acts only for the time interval 2T.
Prove that the speed v of the particle after a time 2T has elapsed is equal to
4F0T/3 m.
  t  
2
Solution : F = F0  1    1 
 T  

F0  2T
2T  2T 2 
 
2
F0  t  t 
 v=  1    1 dt = t     1 dt 
m  T   m 0 0 
T  
0 
2T
F0   
3
F0  T  4F0 T
2T  3 1  ( 1)  =
T t
=  2T    1  = .
m 

3T  0 m   3m

Problem 2: A mass of 10 kg lies on a smooth table at a distance of 7 m from the edge

and is connected by a taut string passing over the end with a mass of 4 kg
hanging freely. How long does it take the 10 kg mass to reach the edge of
the table?

Solution : m1 = 4m2
a
m1g – 2T = m1 2
T T
T – m2g = m2a
T
(m1 – 2m2)g = (m1/2 + 2m2)a
m1  2m2 m1
g g m2
or, a = m1 = = 5 m/s2 20 cm
 2m2 2
2 mg
The mass m1 reaches the ground
with a velocity, v, such that,
5
v2 = 2 (a/2)  s = 2   0.2 = 1
2
or, v = 1 m/s
The velocity of m2 when m1 reaches the ground is
2v = 2m/s.
The maximum height reached by m2 is
22
h = 0.4 m + m.
2  10

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Problem 3: In the given figure all the surfaces are smooth. F

Find the time taken by the block to reach from M m
the free end to the pulley attached to the plank.
Distance between free end and pulley is  .

N
Solution: Equation of motion for M : a1
2F = M a2 …(1) m
N
For m, M mg
a2
F = m a1 …(2)
Using (1) and (2),
Mg N

2F F 2 1
a1 + a2 =   F    …(3)
M m  M m 
Relative acceleration between M and m = ar = a1+a2.
Let the block m strikes the pulley after a time t.
Since,
2
1 t
 ar t 2  2 1
2 F  
M m
2 Mm 
 t .
( 2m  M) F

Problem 4: A piece of uniform string of mass M hangs, vertically so that its free end
just touches horizontal surface of a table. If the upper end of the string is
released, find at any instant, the total force on the surface just before the
string falls completely.

Solution : Considering the time when y fraction of total

length has fallen on the surface.
the impact force = Fimpact = v(dm/dt) l-y
v
d M 
v y
dt  l 
Fim
Mv  dy  Mv 2
=   ,
l  dt  l F'
mg
where y = distance fallen,
By putting v2 = 2gy, we obtain
Finput = 2Mg (y/l)
The weight of the portion lying on the surface
= m'g = (M/l)yg
 Total force offered by the surface =
F' = 3Mg(y/l)
Just before the falls completely, y = l
 F' = 3Mg.

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Problem 5: A wooden box of mass 20 kg. is kept on a F = 70 N

rough horizontal surface. The co-efficient of
300
static friction  s = 0.41 and co-efficient of
M = 20 Kg
kinetic friction  k = 0.3 between the box and
the horizontal surface. A constant force F of
70 N is applied to the box at an angle of 30 o
with the horizontal. Find the acceleration of
the box on the surface and the frictional
force on the box. Take g = 10 m/s2.

Solution: The force components acting on the box Y

N
with respect to the chosen X-Y axes Fsin 
is shown in Figure. X
w.r.t. Y axis
N  F Sin   Mg
f FCos
 N = Mg - F sin  …(1)
f
Mg
Now, fs =  sN …(2) N
= N
FSin
.41x [ 20 x10  70 x 12]
= 0.41 x 165
= 67.65 N f FCos
Again F cos  =
3 Mg
70 x  35 3
2
= 60.62 N

 F cos   f s
Hence decide whether the box will move or not and hence find what
should be the frictional force.

 m
Problem 6: A plank of mass M is placed on a horizontal
smooth surface. Another bar of mass m is F
M
placed on the plank. The co-efficient of static
friction between the plank and the bar is µ.
What max. horizontal force F on the plank will
cause no slipping of the bar on the plank?

Solution: The forces on the plank and the bar is

N2
shown in Figure. N1
f m
For the bar, from F.B.D.,
f mg
N 2  mg …(1) N2

F
f  ma1 …(2)
Mg N1

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For the plank from F.B.D. N2 N1

a2 a2
F  f Ma 2
…(3) f f F
N1 N2  Mg
N2
…(4) mg Mg
Again we know, maximum static
frictional force on ‘m’ is
fmax  N 2 , from (1) we
have
i.e. fmax  mg …(5)
Now to have no slipping of the bar on the plank we need
a1  a 2  a (let.)
 from (2) and (3) we have
f  ma …(6)
F f Ma …(7)
f
i.e. F  f M
m
mF
i.e. f  …(8)
Mm
Again for no slipping of m on M,
f  fmax …(9)
mF
i.e.  mg .
Mm
From (5) and (8)
i.e. F (Mm)g …(10)
i.e. Fmax  (Mm )g .

 F
Problem 7: In the above problem. if the force F would have m

been applied on the bar of mass m, then what

M
would have been the maximum force F for no
slipping of m on M? The horizontal surface on
which the plank is kept is smooth.

N2
Solution: The force diagram and the F.B.D. are shown F N1
in Figure respectively. The ground is taken f m
as a frame of ref. f
With reference to F.B.D. of the bar, mg N2

N 2  mg …(1)
F  f  ma 1 …(2) Mg
F

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With reference to F.B.D. of the N2 N1

a1 a2
plank
N1 = N2 + Mg …(3) f F f
f = Ma2 …(4)
N2
Again we know fmax = µN2 mg Mg

i.e. fmax = µmg …(5)

If the bar is not to slip over plank,
a1 = a2 = a (let) and f  fmax …(6)
Then (2) and (4) become
F  f = ma …(7)
f = Ma …(8)
Using equations (6), (7) & (8), Fmax can be found out as
 m
Fmax= mg 1  .
 M

Problem 8: Shown in the diagram is a system of two

3 Q
bodies. (i) a block of mass m (ii) a disc m 1 2
of mass M, is held in equilibrium. If the
string 3 is burnt, find the acceleration of P
the disc. Neglect the friction between all
contacting surfaces & the mass of the M
pulley P & Q.

Solution : Referring to the free-body diagram we write the equation of motion. For the
block m :
T1  N = ma1 … (I)
& N – mg = 0 … (ii)
pulley P :
mpg + T2 – 2T1 = mpap
Since the pulley is light
mp  0
 T2 = 2T1 . . .(iii)
disc M Mg – 2T2 = Ma2 . . .(iv)

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Now we have four equations &

five unknown T1, T2, a1 a2 & N
Therefore we seek another equation
from the geometry of the figure the
positions of the particles m, P & M are
related as
x1 + 2y1 = 1 & (y2 – y1) + y2 = 2
where 1 & 2 are the lengths of the
strings 1 & 2 respectively Eliminating
y1 from these two equations we obtain,
x1 + 4y2 = 1 + 2 2 ; Differentiating
both sides w.r.t. t, for two times we
d2 x 1 d2 y 2
obtain 4 2 =0;
dt 2 dt
Differentiation of 1 and 2 are zero
because 1 & 2 are constants.
 a1 = 4a2 . . . (v)
(i) & (ii) yields
T1 - mg = ma1 . . . (vi)
(iii) and (iv) yields
Mg – 4T1 = a2 . . .. (vii)
Eliminating T1 from (vi) & (vii) and putting a1 = 4a2, we obtain
M  4m
a2 = g.
M  16m
Problem 9: A bead of mass 'm' is fitted on to a rod and can
move on it without friction. At the initial a
moment the bead is in the middle of the rod.
The rod moves translationally in a horizontal
plane with an acceleration 'a' in a direction

forming an angle  with the rod. Find the
acceleration of the bead relative to the rod.

Solution : Let ar be the acceleration of the bead relative to the rod. Then a r cos  is
the leftward acceleration of the bead relative to the rod and ar sin  is
downward relative acceleration of the rod. If a y and ax be the absolute
leftward horizontal and downward vertical acceleration of the bead
ar cos  = ay - a
( Relative acceleration is simply the vector difference between the
absolute acceleration)
or ay = ar cos  + a . . . (i)
and ar sin  = ax  0
or ax = ar sin  . . . (ii)
From FBD of the bead (projecting forces vertically and horizontally)
mg  N cos  = m ar sin  . . . (A)
and N sin  = m(arcos  + a) . . . (B)
eliminating N between (A) and (B)
mg sin  = mar + ma cos 
or ar = g sin   a cos 

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Problem 10: Block A of mass m and block B of

mass 2m are placed on a fixed A B
triangular wedge by means of a light m 2m
and inextensible string and a
frictionless pulley as shown in the 45o 45o
figure. The wedge is inclined at 45 o to
the horizontal on both sides. The
coefficient of friction between the
block A and the wedge is 2/3 and that
between the block B and the wedge is
1/3. If the system of A and B is released
from rest, then find,
(i) the acceleration of A
(ii) tension in the string
(iii) the magnitude and direction of the frictional force acting on A.

Solution : (i) In the absence of friction the block B will move down the plane and the
block A will move up the plane. Frictional force opposes this motion.
F.B.D. of the blocks
T T N2
N1
a
f2 a

2mgcos45o 2mgsin45o
mgcos45o
mgsin45o f1

(A) (B)
 T  mgsin45  f1 = ma
o
. . . (1)
and 2 mg sin45  f2  T = 2ma
o
. . . (2)
Adding (1) and (2), we get
mg sin45o  (f1 + f2) = 3ma
for a to be non zero mgsin45 o must be greater than the maximum value
of (f1 + f2)
4
 (f1 + f2)mqx = (1m1 + 22m2)gcos45o = mgcos45o
3
 mg sin45o < (f1 + f2)max
Hence blocks will remain stationary

(ii) F.B.D. of the block B T N2

1 2 f2
f(2)max = 2mg cos 45 o  mg
3 3 2
o
2mg 2mgcos45o 2mgsin45o
W| | = 2 mg sin45 =
2
 2 mg sin45o > f2(max) , therefore block B has tendency to slide down
the plane.
For block B to be at rest
T + f2(max) = 2 mg cos45o
mg  2  4mg
T= 2   
2 3 3 2

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2 2
T= mg
3
mg
(iii) mg cos45o =
2
 T(tension) is greater than mgcos45o.
Hence block A has tendency to move up the plane, therefore frictional
force on the block A will be down the plane.
F.B.D. of A
N
For A to be at rest T
o
mg sin45 + f = T
 f = T  mg sin45o mgsin45o
mg mgcos45o
2 2 mg f
=  f=
3mg 2 3 2

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8.2 Objective

F
Problem 1: A uniform rope is moving with a
constant acceleration ‘a’ on a
smooth horizontal surface. The
ratio of the tension in the rope at its
mid point to the applied force is,
(A) 1:1 (B) 1:2
(C) 0 (D) 2:1

Solution : Let total mass of the rope be M and (L-)  a

total length L. Now let us find the T T F

tension at a point at a distance 
N1
from the end where the force F (let) N2
(M – m)g mg
is applied.
From F.B.D. of front part shown N1
M
N2 = .g …(1)
L T F
M a
FT= .a mg
L
=(M/L)g
…(2)
From F.B.D. of rear part shown N1
 M  T
N1 =  M  .g …(3)
 L 
a
 M 
T =  M  .a …(4) (M-m)g=(M-(m/L))g
 L 
From (2) and (4),
F = Ma …(5)
F
Therefore, a = …(6)
M
From (4) and (6),
  F
T = M 1   .
 L  M
T 
Therefore,  1 …(7)
F L
 1 T 1
At the mid point,  , therefore 
L 2 F 2

F F 2
Note: 1. If it is found by mistake then it will come as =
T T 1
T 1
2. If the mass of the rope is not accounted then 
F 1
Therefore (B).

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Problem2: Two particles A and B, each of mass m, are  = (g/r)1/2

inter-connected by an inextensible such m A
r
that the particle B hangs below a table as
shown in the figure and particle A is on a
rough rotating disc at a distance r from the
axis of rotation of the disc. If the angular m B
speed of the disc is  = g/r , the frictional
force developed at the interface of the
particle & the disc is equal to
(A) mg/2 (B) < mg/2
(C) mg/ 2 (D) zero

Solution : The particle of mass m experiences two r

forces (i) tension T (ii) frictional force f. m A
 Since the particle A is rotating in a T
f
circular path of radius r, its centripetal T
acceleration,
Tf m B
 r 2 =
m
Putting T = mg for equilibrium of the mass B & 2 = g/r
we obtain f = mg – mr g/r = 0

Problem 3: A U shaped smooth wire has a semi-circular v m

bending between A and B as shown in the
figure 10.3. A bead of mass ‘m’ moving with A
uniform speed v through the wire enters the d
B
semicircular bend at A and leaves at B. The
average force exerted by the bead on the
part AB of the wire is,
4mv 2
(A) 0 (B)
πd
2
(C) 2mv (D) none of these.
πd

Solution: Choosing the positive X-Y axis as shown in +mv = pi

the figure, the momentum of the bead at A A
  +y
is pi  mv . The momentum of the bead
  -x
at B is p f   mv . +x
Therefore, the magnitude of the change B
in momentum between A and B is -mv = pf
   
p  p f  pi   2mv
i.e. p = 2mv along positive X-axis.
The time interval taken by the bead to reach from A to B is
 . d/ 2 d
t = = .
v 2v
Therefore, the average force exerted by the bead on the wire is

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2mv
p 4mv 2
Fav = = d =
t d
2v
Therefore (B).

Note : 1. By mistake, if consider the change in the magnitude of the momentum will
be equal to zero. Then the change in momentum he will attain wrong
choice (a).

2. If someone accounts carelessly d = r instead r = d/2 then he will lead to

wrong choice (c).

Problem 4 : A uniform chain is just at rest over a rough L

horizontal table with its (1/n) th part of length
hanging vertically. The co-efficient of static
friction between the chain and the table is, x
1 1
(A) μ  (B) μ 
1η 1η

η η
(C) μ  1  η (D) μ  1  η

N1
Solution: We see that a portion of the chain is lying
on the table top. Let the mass of that f
m1
portion be m1. Let the mass of the
remaining (hanging) portion of the chain m 1g
be m2. Since the chain is at the point of
slipping, the weight of the hanging
portion of the chain counterbalances the m2
maximum static frictional force fmax
between m1 and the surface.
 m2g = fmax ; m2g = N1
where N1 – m1g = 0 for the equilibrium of the portion of chain lying as
on the table.
 m2g – m1g =0
M
m2 x
L x /L
 = = =
m1 M 1 x / L
(L  x )
L

 =
1 
Therefore (C).

Note: If the direction of frictional force on the part of the chain lying on the table
is not properly considered and length of the portions is altered contrary to
the given statements, you will lead to wrong answer.
Problem 5: Two identical particles A and B, each of mass m, are interconnected by
spring of stiffness k. If the particle B experiences a force F & the

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elongation of the relative spring is x, the relative acceleration between the

particles is equal to
F  kx
(A) F/2m (B)
m
F  2kx kx
(C) (D)
m m

Solution : Equation of motion for A : m T T m

F
T kx A B
T = ma  a = 
m m
for B : F – T = ma
F  kx
 a =
m
 The relative acceleration

F  2kx
=ar = | a  a | = .
m

Problem 6: A pendulum is hanging from the

ceiling of a cage. If the cage moves
up with constant acceleration a, its
tension is T1 and if it moves down
with same acceleration, the
corresponding tension is T2. The
tension in the string if the cage
moves horizontally with same
acceleration a is,
T12  T22 T12  T22
(A) (B)
2 2

(C) T12  T22 2 2

(D) T1  T2
2 2

Solution : Referring to the free body diagrams of the bob we obtain,

T1 – mg = ma
 T1 = m (g + a) …(1)
mg T2 = ma
 T2 = m(g  a) …(2)
T1 T2 T


a a a

mg mg mg
When the cage moves horizontally with an acceleration a, let the tension
be T. From the free body diagram, T Sin = ma

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And T Cos  mg = 0
 (T Sin)2 + (T Cos)2 = (ma)2 + (mg)2
 T2 = m2 (g2+a2) …(3)
From (1) and (2)
2 2
 T1  T 
    2   ( g  a )2  ( g  a ) 2
m
  m
T12  T22
  ( g2  a 2 ) m2 …(4)
2
Equations (3) and (4), we obtain
1
T 2  (T12  T22 )
2
T12  T22
 T
2
Therefore (C).

Problem 7: In the figure the block of mass M is at rest on the

floor. The acceleration with which should a boy
of mass m climb along the rope of negligible
a
mass so as to lift the block from the floor is,
M   M 
(A) =   1 g (B)    1 M
m  m  m

M M
(C)  g (D)  g
m m

Solution : Equation of motion for M:

Since M is stationary,
T – Mg = 0
 T = Mg …(1)
T T
Since the boy moves up with an acceleration ‘a’,
T – mg = ma T

 T = m(g+a) …(2)
Equating (1) and (2), we obtain a

Mg = m(g+a)
M  Mg
 a=   1 g
m 
M 
That means, if a >   1 g , the block M can be lifted.
m 
Therefore (B).
Problem 8 : A particle is constrained to move along a straight rod. The rod moves with
a constant angular acceleration  . Disregarding greater of the particle, the
time after its motion begins, it stops sliding along the rod is equal to

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 1
(A) (B)
 
(C)  (D) Infinitesimal

Solution : If N is the normal contact force experienced  N

by the particle, the maximum frictional force
f = N. (Weight of the particle = 0 as g = 0) N
Since this frictional force imparts necessary
centripetal force mr2 that is f = mr2 , we
obtain N = mr2
By putting N = ma = m (r ) and  = t, we obtain

 (mr) = mr2 t2  t=


That means after the particle will slide.


m
Problem 9: Two identical small masses each of mass ‘m’ are
connected by a light inextensible string on a smooth
horizontal floor. A constant force F is applied at the
mid point of the string as shown in the figure. The  F

acceleration of each mass towards each other is,

F 3F
(A) a1 = (B) a1 
2 3m 2m m

2 F
(C) (c) a1  (D) None of these
3 m
Solution : Let the tension in the string be T at any angular position , the
acceleration of each ball along x and y axes be ‘a’ and ‘a 1’ respectively.
Writing the equation of motion of m, we obtain.
 Fx = ma a
 T Cos = ma …(1)
 Fy = ma1 a1
T
 T Sin = ma1 …(2)
 a
At point p, as it is accelerating with an F
P
acceleration a, therefore a1
F – 2 T Cos = mp a where mp = mass T
of the string at the point P  0
 F = 2 T Cos …(3) a
a1
(2)  (1)  tan =
a
 a1 = a tan
T Cos
where a = from (1).
m

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F
Putting T = from (3), we obtain.
2 Cos
F
a1  tan  ,Putting  = 30°
2m
F
a1 
2 3m
Therefore (A).

Problem 10: A block of mass ‘m’ is kept over the

m
smooth surface of the plank of mass
M. The plank of length  is kept over F
M
the smooth horizontal surface. A 
constant horizontal force F is applied
onto the plank as shown in figure. The
time after which the block falls off the
plank is
2M 2 (M  m)
(A) (B)
F F
2m
(C) (D) none of these
F

Solution: F.B.D. of the block and the plank are shown in figures respectively. Since
no horizontal force acts on the block it remains at rest.
For vertical equilibrium of the block

For block, N1 = mg …(1) N1 N2

For Plank N2 = N1+Mg …(2) F
Since the horizontal force F is acting on the
plank, its acceleration a is given as N1 a
F = Ma …(3) mg Mg
Therefore, a = F/M …(4)
The relative acceleration between the plank and the block is
ar = a-0 = F/M …(5)
The relative displacement
xr =  …(6)
Therefore
1
= ar t 2 , where t is the time of separation of the block from the plank
2
Therefore
2l 2 M
t= = .
ar F
Therefore (A).
Note : 1. One may write a = Force/ total mass = F/(M+m) leading to the wrong
answer (b).
2. One may also wrongly consider F on m and may lead wrong answer (c).

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