Rotational Motion - NEET Physics Questions
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Rotational Motion

Question 21: easy

A force $\vec{F} = \alpha\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} + 9\hat{k}$ is acting at a point $\vec{r} = 2\hat{i} – 6\hat{j} – 12\hat{k}$. The value of $\alpha$ for which angular momentum about origin is conserved is: (2015 Re)

1. $1$
2. $-1$
3. $2$
4. Zero
View Answer

For angular momentum to be conserved, torque $\vec{\tau} = \vec{r} \times \vec{F}$ must be zero, meaning $\vec{r}$ and $\vec{F}$ are collinear. Taking the ratio of their components: $\frac{2}{\alpha} = \frac{-6}{3} = \frac{-12}{9}$, which simplifies to $\frac{2}{\alpha} = -2$, giving $\alpha = -1$.

Question 22: easy

The moment of inertia of a body about a given axis is $1.2 \text{ kgm}^2$. Initially, the body is at rest. In order to produce a rotational kinetic energy of $1500 \text{ joule}$, an angular acceleration of $25 \text{ rad/sec}^2$ must be applied about that axis for a duration of:

(1990)

1. $4 \text{ s}$
2. $2 \text{ s}$
3. $8 \text{ s}$
4. $10 \text{ s}$
View Answer

Using $K = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2$, we substitute the values to get $1500 = \frac{1}{2}(1.2) \omega^2$, giving $\omega = 50 \text{ rad/s}$. Applying kinematics equation $\omega = \omega_0 + \alpha t$, we find $50 = 0 + 25t$, yielding $t = 2 \text{ s}$.

Question 23: moderate

Moment of inertia of a uniform circular disc about a diameter is $I$. Its moment of inertia about an axis perpendicular to its plane and passing through a point on its rim will be:

(1990)

1. $5I$
2. $3I$
3. $6I$
4. $4I$
View Answer

Given $I_{\text{diameter}} = \frac{MR^2}{4} = I$, which means $MR^2 = 4I$. Using the parallel axis theorem, the moment of inertia about a perpendicular axis on the rim is $I_{\text{rim}} = \frac{MR^2}{2} + MR^2 = \frac{3}{2} MR^2 = \frac{3}{2} (4I) = 6I$.

Question 24: easy

A fly wheel rotating about fixed axis has a kinetic energy of $360 \text{ joule}$ when its angular speed is $30 \text{ rad/sec}$. The moment of inertia of the wheel about the axis of rotation is:

(1990)

1. $0.6 \text{ kgm}^2$
2. $0.15 \text{ kgm}^2$
3. $0.8 \text{ kgm}^2$
4. $0.75 \text{ kgm}^2$
View Answer

The formula for rotational kinetic energy is $K = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2$. Substituting the given values, $360 = \frac{1}{2} I (30)^2 = 450 I$. Solving for $I$ gives $I = \frac{360}{450} = 0.8 \text{ kgm}^2$.

Question 25: moderate

A solid cylinder of mass $50\text{ kg}$ and radius $0.5\text{ m}$ is free to rotate about the horizontal axis. A massless string is wound round the cylinder with one end attached to it and other hanging freely. Tension in the string required to produce an angular acceleration of $2\text{ rev/s}^{2}$ is:

(2014)

1. $25\text{ N}$
2. $50\text{ N}$
3. $78.5\text{ N}$
4. $157\text{ N}$
View Answer

Moment of inertia $I = \frac{1}{2}MR^{2} = 6.25\text{ kg m}^{2}$. Angular acceleration $\alpha = 2\text{ rev/s}^{2} = 4\pi\text{ rad/s}^{2}$. Torque $\tau = I\alpha = 25\pi = 78.5\text{ N m}$. Tension $T = \frac{\tau}{R} = \frac{78.5}{0.5} = 157\text{ N}$.

Question 26: easy

A circular platform is mounted on a frictionless vertical axle. Its radius $R = 2\text{ m}$ and its moment of inertia about the axle is $200\text{ kg m}^{2}$. It is initially at rest. A $50\text{ kg}$ man stands on the edge of the platform and begins to walk along the edge at the speed of $1\text{ ms}^{-1}$ relative to the ground. Time taken by the man to complete one revolution is:

(2012 Mains)

1. $\pi\text{ s}$
2. $3\pi/2\text{ s}$
3. $2\pi\text{ s}$
4. $\pi/2\text{ s}$
View Answer

Angular velocity of man $\omega_{m} = \frac{v}{R} = 0.5\text{ rad/s}$. By conservation of angular momentum, $I_{p}\omega_{p} + I_{m}\omega_{m} = 0$, giving $\omega_{p} = -0.5\text{ rad/s}$. Relative angular velocity $\omega_{rel} = \omega_{m} - \omega_{p} = 1\text{ rad/s}$. Time $T = \frac{2\pi}{\omega_{rel}} = 2\pi\text{ s}$.

Question 27: easy

When a mass is rotating in a plane about a fixed point, its angular momentum is directed along

 

(2012 Pre)

1. A line perpendicular to the plane of rotation
2. The line making an angle of $45^{\circ}$ to the plane of rotation
3. The radius
4. The tangent to the orbit
View Answer

Angular momentum is defined as $\vec{L} = \vec{r} \times \vec{p}$. According to the properties of the cross product, the vector $\vec{L}$ is directed perpendicular to the plane containing the position vector $\vec{r}$ and momentum vector $\vec{p}$.

Question 28: moderate

The moment of inertia of a thin uniform rod of mass $M$ and length $L$ about an axis passing through its midpoint and perpendicular to its length is $I_{0}$. Its moment of inertia about an axis passing through one of its ends perpendicular to its length is

(2011 Mains)

1. $I_{0} + ML^{2}/2$
2. $I_{0} + ML^{2}/4$
3. $I_{0} + 2ML^{2}$
4. $I_{0} + ML^{2}$
View Answer

Using the parallel axis theorem, $I = I_{cm} + Md^{2}$. Here, the center of mass moment of inertia is $I_{cm} = I_{0}$ and the distance to the parallel axis is $d = \frac{L}{2}$. Thus, $I = I_{0} + M(\frac{L}{2})^{2} = I_{0} + \frac{ML^{2}}{4}$.

Question 29: easy

The instantaneous angular position of a point on a rotating wheel is given by the equation $$\theta (t) = 2t^{3} – 6t^{2}$$. The torque on the wheel becomes zero at:

(2011 Pre)

1. $t = 1\text{ s}$
2. $t = 0.5\text{ s}$
3. $t = 0.25\text{ s}$
4. $t = 2\text{ s}$
View Answer

Angular velocity $\omega = \frac{d\theta}{dt} = 6t^{2} - 12t$. Angular acceleration $\alpha = \frac{d\omega}{dt} = 12t - 12$. Torque is zero when $\alpha = 0$, which implies $12t - 12 = 0$, or $t = 1\text{ s}$.

Question 30: moderate

From a circular disc of radius $R$ and mass $9M$, a small disc of mass $M$ and radius $\frac{R}{3}$ is removed concentrically. The moment of inertia of the remaining disc about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the disc and passing through its center is:

(2010 Mains)

1. $\frac{40}{9}MR^{2}$
2. $MR^{2}$
3. $4MR^{2}$
4. $\frac{4}{9}MR^{2}$
View Answer

Initial moment of inertia $I_{original} = \frac{1}{2}(9M)R^{2} = \frac{9}{2}MR^{2}$. Moment of inertia of the removed part is $I_{removed} = \frac{1}{2}M(\frac{R}{3})^{2} = \frac{1}{18}MR^{2}$. The remaining moment of inertia is $I = I_{original} - I_{removed} = \frac{9}{2}MR^{2} - \frac{1}{18}MR^{2} = \frac{40}{9}MR^{2}$.