Solutions for timed practice on Forces, Momentum and Dynamics

1. Initial

+ve

20 Ns 12 Ns

X Y

Final +ve

2Ns py

X Y

By conservation of momentum,

Total initial momentum = Total final momentum

→ 20 – 12 = – 2 + py

→ py = 20 – 12 + 2 = 10 Ns

Ans. C

2. When an elastic collision occurs between 2 identical masses (equal masses), the masses will
exchange velocities.
Hence, final velocity of P = 0
final velocity of Q = 0
final velocity of R = v
 * Note: To show why exchange of velocities always occurs for elastic collisions between equal masses
Consider two masses colliding:

Before collision:

m1 m2

u1 u2

After collision:

m1 m2

v1 v2

Conservation of momentum:

m1u1  m2 u2  m1v1+m2 v2

 m1 (u1 - v1 ) = m2  v2 - u2  -------------- (1)

Conservation of kinetic energy:

1 1 1 1
m1u12 + m2 u2 2 = m1v12 + m2 v2 2
2 2 2 2

 m1u12 +m2 u2 2 =m1v12 +m2 v2 2 -------------- (2)

In order to factorise this, we need a difference of 2 squares, so rearrange:

m1u12 - m1v12 =m2 v2 2 - m2 u2 2

Take (3)  (1)

  
 m1 u12 - v12 =m2 v2 2 - u2 2   u1+ v1    v2 + u2 

 m1  u1 - v1   u1+ v1  =m2  v2 - u2   v2 + u2 
 --------------
 u1 - u2    v(3)
2 - v1  ---------------------- (4)

 This is just the relative speed of approach = relative speed of separation

Note that no assumption about the masses being equal has been made, so this
equation (4) holds for all elastic collisions, whether or not the colliding masses
are equal.
Now, we make the assumption that the colliding masses are equal
ie m1 = m2

From (1),

m1 (u1 - v1 ) = m2  v2 - u2 
 (u1 - v1 ) =  v2 - u2  -------------- (A)

We want to find the final velocities of each mass, so we need to 'solve' for v1 and v2
From(4),

v1  v2 - u1  u2 ------------- (B)

Sub this into (A)

u1 -  v2 - u1  u2  =  v2 - u2 

 2v2  2u1

 v2  u1

Sub this into (B)

v1=u1 - u1+u2

 v1=u2

Hence v2 =u1 and v1=u2 which means that the 2 identical masses
exchange velocities after an elastic collision
3.
 U

mg

Upthrust U = weight of fluid displaced

= ρw Vw g
= (1.03 × 103 ) × (6.5 × 10-2) × 9.81
= 656.78 N

Weight mg = 6.0 × 9.81

= 58.86 N

Vertical equilibrium:

U = mg + T

T = U – mg
= 656.78 – 58.86
= 598 N (3 s.f.)

4.

1 Rod P 2

Rod Q
Rod R
W
Rod S 3

Consider hinge 2 which is in equilibrium

Rod P
Hinge 2
F2 ?
Rod R
W
F1 ?
Since W is downwards, there must be an upwards force so that the hinge 2 can be in vertical equilibrium.
This upwards component can only be provided by Force F1 (since F1 is acting at an angle, whereas F2 is
just a horizontal force and has no vertical component). Hence,

F1

F2 ? Rod P
Hinge 2

Rod R
W

Now, if we were to resolve F1, we will observe that there is a component pointing to the right of the hinge.
Since the hinge is also in horizontal equilibrium (not moving sideways), there must be a force pointing to
the left on the hinge. This is provided by force F2. Hence,

F1

Rod P
F2
Hinge 2

Rod R
W

Now, this free body diagram must only show forces acting on hinge 2. Therefore,
F1 = force by rod R on hinge 2 -------------- (1)
F2 = force by rod P on hinge 2 -------------- (2)

In order to find whether a rod is being stretched (in tension) or compressed, we have to find the forces
acting on the rod in question

Free-body diagram of rod R (which shows forces acting on rod R):

Hinge 2

Rod R F3?

F4?
Hinge 3

So to find the force F3 (which is just the force by hinge 2 on rod R),
We use Newton's 3rd Law:
Force by hinge 2 on rod R = – Force by hinge 2 on rod R

Hence from (1),

Force by hinge 2 on rod R = – F1
F3 = − F1
Hence, F3 must act in a directly opposite direction as F1

Hinge 2

F3
Rod R

Hinge 3
F4 ?

Since the only other force acting on rod R is F4, F4 must act in the opposite direction to F3 so that the rod
R will be in both vertical and horizontal equilibrium. Hence

Hinge 2

F3
Rod R

Hinge 3
F4

This free-body diagram shows the forces acting on the rod R. So we can conclude from this free-body
diagram that the rod is being compressed; it is in compression.

Similarly, we do these steps to find if the other rods are being compressed or stretched (in tension)

Ans. E