SUBJECTIVE SOLVED PROBLEMS

1. Locate the centre of mass of a uniform semicircular rod of radius R and linear density λ kg/m.
Solution: From the symmetry of the body we see that the CM must lie along the y axis, so xCM = 0. In this
case it is convenient to express the mass element in terms of the angle θ , measured in radians.
The element, which subtends an angle d θ at the origin, has a length R d θ and a mass dm = λ R
d θ . Its y coordinate is y = R sin θ .
ydm y
Therefore, yCM =  M

1  2 R 2  2R 2 dm
 R sin d  [  cos  ] 
M 0
yCM = 0 R
M M d

2R x
The total mass of the ring is M = π R λ ; Therefore, yCM = .


2. Find the centre of mass of a uniform solid hemisphere of radius R and mass M with centre of
sphere at origin and the flat of the hemisphere in the x, y plane.
Solution: Let the center of the sphere be the origin and let the flat of the hemisphere lie in the x, y plane as
shown. By symmetry x  y  0. Consider the hemisphere divided into a series of slices parallel
to x, y plane. Each slice is of thickness dz
The slice between z and (z + dz) is a disk of radius,
r = R2  z2 .
Let r be the constant density of the uniform sphere.
Mass of the slice, dm =   r 2  dz    R 2  z 2  dz
R

The z value is obtained by z =

 z dm
0

M
R
2
  ( R z  z 3 )dz
= 0 z
M
z R
  R 2 z 2 z 4   r
=     R
M  2 4   z 0 y

 R4 R4  x
   
 2 4 
 z
M
 R 4
 z
4M
2 3
Since M = V    R 
3 

R 4 3
 z  R
2  8
4  R 3 
3 

 3 
Hence center of mass has positive coordinates as  0, 0, R  .
 8 

3. A projectile is fired at a speed of 100 m/s at an angle of 370 above horizontal. At the highest point
the projectile breaks into two parts of mass ratio 1 : 3. Find the distance from the launching point
to the point where the heavier piece lands. The smaller mass has zero velocity with respect to the
earth immediately after explosion.
Solution: Refer to the figure. At the highest point, the projectile has horizontal velocity. The lighter part
comes to rest. Hence the heavier part will move with increased velocity in the horizontal direc-
tion. In the vertical direction both parts have zero velocity and undergo same acceleration.
Hence they will cover equal vertical displacements in a given time. Thus both will hit the ground
together. As internal forces do not affect the motion of the center of mass, the center of mass
hits the ground at the position where the original projectile would have landed. The range of the
original projectile is
2u 2 sin  cos
Xcm =
g

3 4 u
2  (100) 2  
= 5 5  960 m 370
10
x1
where sin θ = 3/5, cos θ = 4/5 and g = 10 m/s2 xcm
x2
The center of mass will hit the ground at this position. As the smaller mass comes to rest after
breaking it falls down vertically and hits the ground at half the range = 480m. If the heavier block
hits the ground at x2,
m1 x1  m2 x2
xcm =
m1  m2

M 3M
 480   x2
960 = 4 4
M
Solving, x2 = 1120 m

4. A bullet of mass m strikes a block of mass M connected to a v0

k
light spring of stiffness k, with a speed v0 and gets embedded M
into mass M. Find the loss of K.E. of the system just after m
 impact.
Solution: The process of impact of bullet and block is transient. Within a very short time of impact, the
compression of the spring is negligible. Therefore the corresponding spring force is negligible.
Even though it is external to the system (M + m), we can conserve its momentum just before and
after the impact (impact force is internal). Conservation of linear momentum of bullet plus block
just after and before impact yields
mV0
(M + m)V = mV0  V =
M m v
k
where V = common velocity of block and bullet. m M
Therefore the loss of K. E. of the system
1 1
 KE = mV02  ( M  m)V 2
2 2
mV0
Putting V =
mM
MmV02
we obtain,  KE = .
2( M  m)

5. A shell flying with a velocity u = 500 m/s bursts into three identical fragments so that the kinetic
energy of the system increases k times. What maximum velocity can one of the fragments
obtain if k = 1.5 ?
Solution: Let the mass of the shell be 3m. The mass of each fragment is m.
The particle with maximum velocity must be in the forward direction.
By law of conservation of momentum,
3mu = mv1 - mv2 cos  2 - mv3 cos  3
3u = v1 - v2 cos  2 - v3 cos  3
v1 = 3u + v2 cos  2 + v3 cos  3 ...(i)
Also mv2 sin  2 = mv3 sin  3 ...(ii)
If v1 is to be maximum mv2
2 = 3 = 0
From (ii), if  2 =  3 3mu 2
v2 = v3 = v (say) 3 mv1
Equation (i) becomes
v1 = 3u + 2v
mv3
v = (v1 - 3u)/2 ...(iii)
from question,
1
k 3m u 2   1 mv12  2  1 mv 2 
2 2 2 
3ku2 = v12  2v 2 ...(iv)
Substituting for v from (iii)
2 1 2
3ku2 = v1  (v1  9u 2  6v1u )
2
Solving for v1
 v1 = u 1  2(k  1) 
For u = 500 m/s and k = 1.5

v1 = 500 1  2(1.5  1)  = 1000 m/s.

6. A stationary body explodes into four identical fragments such that three of them fly off mutually
perpendicular to each other, each with same K.E. Find the energy of explosion.
Solution: Let the three fragments move along X, Y and Z axes. Therefore their velocities can be given as
V 1  Viˆ, V 2  Vˆj & V 3  Vkˆ ,

where V = speed of each of the three fragments. Let the velocity of the fourth fragment be V4 .
Since, in explosion no net external force is involved, the net momentum of the system remains
conserved just before and after the explosion.
 P    P 
f i

 mV 1  mV 2  mV 3  mV 4  0 (Pi = 0 because the body was stationary), putting

the values of V 1 ,V 2 and V 3 , we obtain,


V 4  V iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
Therefore, V4  3V
The energy of explosion
12 21 2 1 2 1 
E = KEf - KEi =  2 mV1  2 mV2  2 mV3  2 mV4   ( 0)
 
1
Putting V1 = V2 = V3 = V & setting mV2 = E0,
2
we obtain, E = 6E0.

7. A cannon with shots of total mass M0 is kept on a rough u

horizontal surface. The coefficient of friction between the M m
cannon and the horizontal surface is  . If the cannon
fires the shots with a velocity u relative to it, find the veloc-
ity of the cannon when it possesses a total mass M with
the remaining shots, after time t from starting. Assume
that the cannon fires shots at the same fequency.
Solution: Because each shot of mass m (say) leaves the cannon with a relative velocity u with a frequency
n, the rate of loss of mass of the system is given as
dm R R
r=  mn v a M m
dt (At time t)
f=N
dm N
 the impact force R  u  mnu
dt
 The net force acting on the system after a time t
 F = R - f  Ma = mnu -  N where f is the force of friction
 where N = Mg  Ma = mnu -  Mg ...(i)
M = mass of the cannon with the shots remaining inside it after a time t given as M = M0 - rt
 M = M0 - mnt ...(ii)
mnu
using (i) and (ii) a = M  mnt  g
0

v t t
dt
Integrating both sides  dv  mnu   g  dt
0 0
M 0  mnt 0

t
 1 
v = mnu   ln | M 0  mnt |  gt
 mn 0

 M 0  mnt   M0 
 v = -u ln  M   gt  u ln    gt
 0   M 0  mnt 
Since after a time t, the cannon + remaining shots has mass M
 M0 - mnt = M
 v = u ln (M0/M) -  gt.

8. Two blocks B and C of mass m each connected by a v

spring of natural length l and spring constant k rest on
an absolutely smooth horizontal surface as shown in A B C
figure. A third block A of same mass collides elasti-
cally block B with velocity v. Calculate the velocities
of blocks, when the spring is compressed as much as
possible and also the maximum compression.
Solution: Let A be the moving block and B and C the stationary blocks.
Since A and B are of equal mass, A is stopped dead and B takes off with its velocity. Now B and
C move under their mutual action and reaction and so their momentum is conserved.
Let v1 and v2 be their instantaneous velocities when the compression of spring is x.
By the principle of conservation of momentum,
mv = m(v1 + v2)
v1 + v2 = v (a constant) m m m
By the principle of conservation of energy. v

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
mv  mv1  mv 2  kx A B C
2 2 2 2
2 2 k 2
 v2 = v1  v2  x
m
k 2
 v2 = (v1 + v2)2 - 2v1v2 + .x
m
k 2
 v2 = v2 - 2v1v2 + .x
m
k 2
 v1v2 = .x
2m
Obviously compression (x) is maximum, when v1v2 is maximum under the condition that their
 sum (v1 + v2) is constant.
We have, (v1 + v2)2 = (v1 - v2)2 + 4v1v2
 v2 = (v1 - v2)2 + 4v1v2
 4v1v2 = v2 - (v1 - v2)2
Obviously v1v2 is maximum when (v1 - v2)2 is minimum. But it is a real positive quantity. Its
minimum value is zero.
v2
(v1v2)max = when v1 = v2
4
2m 2m v 2
x 2max  (v1v 2 ) max  .
k k 4
m
xmax = .v
2k

9. A ball of mass m is projected with speed u into the barrel of spring gun of mass M initially at rest
on a frictionless surface. The mass m sticks in the barrel at the point of maximum compression
of the spring. What fraction of the initial kinetic energy of the ball is stored in the spring ?
Neglect the friction.
Solution: Let v be the velocity of system after the ball of mass m sticks in the barrel. Applying law of
conservation of linear momentum, we have
mu = (m + M)v ...(i)
1 1
The initial K. E.= mu 2 of the ball is converted into elastic potential energy = kx 2 of the
2 2
1 2
spring and kinetic energy of the whole system = ( m  M )v . That is
2
1 1 1
mu 2  kx 2  ( m  M ) v 2 ...(ii)
2 2 2
where k is the spring constant and x is its maximum compression.
1 u m
Dividing equation (ii) by mu 2
2
1 2 1
kx ( m  M )v 2
2  2
1= 1 1 ...(iii)
mu 2 mu 2
2 2

kx 2 (m  M )v 2
1=  ...(iv)
mu 2 mu 2
v m
From equation (i), 
u (M  m)
Substituting this value in equation (iv)
kx 2 (m  M) m 2 kx 2 m kx 2 m M
1= 2
 2
 2
  2
 1 
mu m (m  M) mu m  M mu m  M (m  M)
 1 2
The energy stored in spring = kx
2
1
Initial K.E. of the ball = mu 2
2
kx 2
Hence, represents the fraction of initial energy, which is stored in the spring.
mu 2
M
 fraction =
mM

10. A ball of mass m is projected vertically up from a smooth

horizontal floor with a speed V. Find the total momen- v0 v1 v2
tum delivered by the ball to the surface, assuming e as v3
the coefficient of restitution of impact.
Solution: Referring the figure, the momentum delivered by the
v0 v1 v2 v3
ball at first, second, third impact etc. can be given as
the corresponding change, in its momenta (  P).

(  P )1 = ( mV1 ˆj  m(V0 ) ˆj   P1 = m(V1 + V0)

Similarly  P2 = m(V1 + V2),
 The total momentum transferred  P =  P1 +  P2 +  P3 + . . . .
Putting the values of  P1,  P2 etc., we obtain,
 P = m[V0 + 2(V1 + V2 + V3 + . . . . .)]
Putting V1 = eV0, V2 = e2V0, V3 = e3V0
we obtain,
2 3
 P = mV0 [1 + 2(e + e + e + . . . . . )]
 e  1  e 
  P = mV0 1  2   mV0  
1 e  1 e  
A
11. A block of mass M with a semicircular track of radius R
R
rests on a horizontal frictionless surface. A uniform cylin- m
der of radius r and mass m is released from rest at the top
point A (see figure). The cylinder slips on the semicircular B
frictionless track. How far has the block moved when the M
cylinder reached the bottom (point B) of the track? How
fast is the block moving when the cylinder reaches the
bottom of the track?
Solution: The horizontal component of forces acting on M-m system is zero and the center of mass of the
system cannot have any horizontal displacement.
When the cylinder is at B its displacement relative to the block in the horizontal direction is (R -
r). Let the consequent displacement of the block to the left be x. The displacement of the
cylinder relative to the ground is (R - r - x)
Since the center of mass has no horizontal displacement
M.x = m(R - r - x)
x(M + m) = (R - r)m
 ( R  r )m
x=
( M  m)
When the cylinder is at A, the total momentum of the system in the horizontal direction is zero. If
v is the velocity of the cylinder at B and V, the velocity of the block at the same instant, then
mv + MV = 0, by principle of conservation of momentum.
Potential energy of the system at A = mg(R - r)
1
Kinetic energy of the cylinder at B = mv 2
2
1
The kinetic energy of the block at that instant = MV 2
2
By principle of conservation of energy,
1 2 1
mg(R - r) = mv  MV 2
2 2
MV
since v=-
m
2
1  MV  1 2 V2 M2 
mg(R - r) = m    MV    M 
2  m  2 2  m 

V2
mg(R - r) = (M 2  Mm)
2m
2m 2 g ( R  r )
2
V =
( M 2  Mm)

2m 2 g ( R  r )
V= .
M ( M  m)

12: A wagon of mass M can move without friction along horizontal rails. A simple pendulum con-
sisting of a bob of mass m is suspended from the ceiling by a string of length l. At the initial
moment, the wagon and pendulum are at rest and the string is deflected through an angle α from
the vertical.
Find :(i) the velocity of wagon, when the string forms an angle  (  < α ) with vertical.
(ii) the velocity of wagon, when the pendulum crosses its mean position.
Solution: (i) Let v be the leftward velocity of wagon (absolute that is relative to earth). Let u be the
velocity of pendulum in a frame fixed to the wagon. Then u cos  is the relative horizontal
velocity of the bob and u sin β is its vertical velocity. Let vx and vy be the absolute horizontal and
vertical downward velocities of the bob.
 vx = u cos  - v and u sin  = vy
There is no external force on the system in the horizontal direction.
Therefore, by the principle of conservation of momentum to the right,
0 = m(u cos  - v) - Mv
 M
 u cos  - v = .v
m

( M  m) v
 u = m cos 

1
Kinetic energy of bob = m( v x2  v y2 )
2 Before releasing the bob
By the conservation of energy,
1 1
mgl(1 - cos  ) = mgl(1 - cos  ) + Mv 2  m[(u cos   v ) 2  u 2 sin 2  ]
2 2
M 2 v 2 m sin 2  ( M  m) 2 v 2
or, 2mgl (cos  - cos  ) = Mv2 + m 
m2 m 2 cos 2 
2 2
 M  ( M  m) v 2 M ( M  m) 2 ( M  m) 2 v 2 sin 2 
= Mv 1 
2  sin   v 
 m m cos 2  m m cos 2 
or 2m2 gl (cos  - cos  )cos2  = M(M + m)v2 cos2  + (M + m)2v2 sin2 
= (M + m)v2 [M cos2  + (M + m)sin2  ]

2m 2 gl  (cos   cos ) cos 2   

v
 v2 =
M  m  M  m sin 2 


u
2 2
2m gl  (cos   cos ) cos  
 v=
M  m  M  m sin 2 

 After releasing the bob
(ii) In this particular case when  = 0,


2 2 2 sin 2
2m gl (1  cos  ) 2m gl 2

M m M M m M

 gl
v = 2 m sin .
2 ( M  m)M

13. Two balls of masses m and 2m are suspended by two threads of same length l from the same
point on the ceiling. The ball m is pulled aside through an angle α and released after giving a
tangential velocity v0 towards the other stationary ball is imparted to it. To what heights will the
balls rise after collision, if the collision is perfectly elastic?
Solution: The velocity acquired by m on reaching the lowest position is v (say).
1 2 1
Then, mv 0  mgl (1  cos )  mv 2
2 2
v2 = v02  2 gl (1  cos  )
 by conservation of momentum,
mv = mv1 + 2mv2
v = v1 + 2v2 or v - v1 = 2v2 ...(i)
By conservation of kinetic energy,
1 2 1 2 1
mv  mv1  2mv 22
2 2 2
v2 = v12  2v 22

v 2

 v12  2v 22
(v - v1) (v1 + v) = 2v 22 ...(ii)
Using (i) in (ii), v1 + v = v2 ...(iii)
Solving (i) and (iii),
2 v
v2 = v and v1 = 
3 3
Let m rise by h1 and 2m by h2, then
1 2 1 v2 1 2
2
mv1  mgh1 or gh1 =  
2 9 18

v0  2 gl (1  cos ) 
1 2
h1 =
18 g

v0  2 gl (1  cos ) 
1
 2mv 22  2mgh2
2
1 4v 2 4 2
gh2 = 
2 9

18

v 0  2 gl (1  cos ) 
4 2
h2 =
18 g

v0  2 gl (1  cos ) 
m
14. A triangular wedge of mass M is moving with uniform velocity h
v0 along a smooth horizontal surface in the leftward direction.
A particle of mass m falls from rest from h on to the inclined v0 =45º
face, colliding elastically with it. Find velocity of the ball and M 
wedge after the impact taking M = 2m.

Solution: Impact incline is a straight line perpendicular to the incline. u

N
Normal reaction force between the body and the wedge acts 450 Q
along the impact line. This normal force becomes an internal  v1
force when we consider (wedge + body) as a total system.
O R
But, normal reaction and considerable in magnitude because
the impact force during collision has contribution towards mak- N
450
ing of the normal force.

 Momentum of the system is conserved along a line perpendicular to this normal force and
momentum of the system is conserved along horizontal. ...(i)
  Momentum of the body particle is conserved along the common tangent at the point of
impact. ...(ii)
 As this is an elastic collision, relative velocity of separation along the impact line = relative
velocity of approach. ...(iii)
 If the wedge were at rest then the body /particle would deflect in the horizontal direction
after collision because it is an elastic collision ...(iv)
 As, in this case, wedge is moving, the object would not be deflected horizontally, but at an
angle ' α ' to the impact ...(v)
Velocity of body particle before impact = u = 2 gh along PO
Velocity of body particle after collision = v1 along OQ

Velocity of wedge before collision = v0 along RO

Velocity of wedge after collision = v2 along RO
v0 cos 450 - u cos 450 = -v1 cos  - v2 cos 450
v2 u v0
 v1 cos  +  
2 2 2
2 v1 cos  + v2 = u - v0 ...(A)
According to logic (i)
Mv0 = Mv2 - mv1 cos (450 -  )
 2v0 = 2v2 - v1 cos (450 -  )
 2v2 - v1 cos (450 -  ) = 2v0 ...(B)
According to logic (ii)
mu sin 450 = mv1 sin 
 v1 sin  = u

 u (4  2 )  6v0 
solving v1 = u2   
 20 

v0  ( 2  1)u
v2 = .
5
usin
15. A freight car is moving on smooth horizontal track with-
out any external force. Rain is falling with a velocity u
 ucos
m/s at an angle  with the vertical. Rain drops are u
collected in the car at the rate of m kg/s. If initial mass v
of the car is m0 and velocity v0 then find its velocity
after time t.
Solution: After time t mass of the car with water is
mt = (m0 + mt)kg. Let at that momentum speed of the car be v.
dv dm
 mt  Fext  v rel
dt dt
  dv 
(m0 + mt)   = 0 + (u sin  + v)m
 dt 
 v t
dv dt
v (u sin   v)  0  m0 
 0   t 
  

  m0 
   t  
 u sin   v  
    ln   
 ln  u sin   v 0   m0 /  
 
 

u sin   v0 m
 u sin   v  (m  t )
0 0

0 m 0 0 mv  t  m0 v0
 v = u sin θ  m  t  1  (m  t )  v  u sin   m  t   (m  t) .
 0  0  0  0

16. A system of two blocks A and B are connected by an inextensible

massless string as shown. The pulley is massless and frictionless.
A bullet of mass 'm' moving with a velocity 'u' as shown hits the block u
m
'B' and gets embedded into it.
Find the impulse imparted by tension force to the system. m B
Solution: Let velocity of B and A after collision has magnitude v. A 3m
At the time of collision, tension = T
Impulse provided by tension =  Tdt
Consider change of momentum of (B + bullet)
mu -  Tdt = 2mv ...(i)
Consider change of momentum A

 Tdt = 3mv ...(ii)

from (i) and (ii), mu = 5mv
v = u/5
Hence, Impulse  T dt = 3mv

u 3mu
= 3m    .
5 5

17. A gun is mounted on a gun carriage movable on a smooth horizontal plane and the gun is elevated
at an angle 450 to the horizon. A shot is fired and leaves the gun inclined at an angle  to the
horizontal. If the mass of gun and carriage is n times that of the shot, find the value of  .
Solution: Let m be the mass of shot.
mn = mass of gun
w = velocity of shot relative to gun
v = velocity of recoil of gun
 Since the gun is inclined at an angle  to horizontal, the direction of w makes an angle  with
horizontal. The horizontal and vertical components are w cos  and w sin  . When the shot
leaves the muzzle the horizontal velocity relative to ground (w cos  - v).

The vertical component of shot relative to ground is the same as relative to gun since the gun
moves horizontal. If the shot leaves at an angle  to horizontal,
Vertical component of velocity of shot
tan  =
Horizontal component of velocity of shot
wsin 
= ...(i)
w cos   v
by conservation of momentum in horizontal direction,
mnv = m(w cos  - v)
w cos
v=
(n  1)

w sin 
Substituting in (i), tan  = w cos  w cos 
n 1
(n  1) sin   1 
tan  =  1   tan 
n cos  n
 n 1
 = tan-1  n  ( tan 45 0  1)
 


18. A glass ball collides with a smooth horizontal surface with a velocity V  aiˆ  bjˆ . If the coeffi-
cient of restitution of collision be e, find the velocity of the ball just after the collision.
Solution: Collision takes place along the normal. Therefore the magnitude of normal component (Vy) of
the velocity of the glass ball is changed to Vy  eVy just after the collision whereas the horizon-
tal component (Vx) of its velocity remains constant due to the absence of any horizontal force.
 The velocity of the ball just after the impact
 ' '
= V =V x  V y

 V '  V x iˆ  V y ˆj where, V' x = a and V' y = eb

' '

'
( V  aiˆ  bˆj )  V x  aiˆ  ebˆj

Therefore the magnitude of the velocity V  V ' = a 2  e 2 b 2 and

 V 'x  1  a 
 
the direction is given as  = tan-1  V'   tan  eb  to the normal (vertical).
 y  
19. A ball with a velocity of 4 ms-1 impinges at an angle of 30º with the vertical on a smooth horizon-
tal fixed plane. If the coefficient of restitution is 0.5, find its velocity and direction of motion after
the first impact.
Solution: Let the ball be reflected at angle  with the vertical with speed v. Since the plane is smooth,
there is no interaction along the horizontal and so that momentum of the ball along this direction
remains unchanged.
 4cos 60º  v cos(90º )
or 2 = v sin  ...(i)
The velocity of the ball relative to the plane before collision
 4 cos 30º 0  4 cos 30º
The velocity of the ball relative to the plane after collision
 (  v cos )  0   vcos  30º
By Newton’s law of collision 
 v cos   0.5  4cos30º O
3
or v cos   2   3 ...(ii)
2
Squaring and adding (i) and (ii)
v 2  4  3  7 or v  7ms 1
Dividing, tan   2 / 3 . Thus the ball is reflected with velocity 7ms1 at tan 1 2 / 3 with the
vertical.

20. Consider a one-dimensional elastic collision between an incoming body A and a body B initially at
rest. How would you choose the mass of B, in comparison to the mass of A in order that B
should recoil with
(a) the greatest speed, (b) the greatest momentum, the
(c) the greatest kinetic energy?
Solution: By the conservation of momentum
m1 v1  m1 v1  m2 v2 or m1 (v1  v1 )  m2 v 2
By the conservation of kinetic energy
1 1 1
m1 v12  m1 v12  m 2 v 22 or m (v  v  )(v  v  )  m v 2
2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2

 v1  v1  v 2 ( v1  v1 )
m2
v1  v1  v2
m1

 m2  2v1
Adding 2v1  1  m  v 2 or v 2  1  (m / m )
 1  2 1

 (a) v2 is maximum when m2 is negligible in comparison to m1.

2m2 v1 2m1 m 2 v1 2m1 v1
(b) p2  r2 v 2  1  (m / m )  m  m  1  (m / m )
2 1 1 2 1 2

Obviously p2 is maximum when m2 is large in comparison to m1.

 1 1 4v12
(c) T2  m 2 v 22  m 2
2 2 (1  (m 2 / m1 )) 2

2m 2 v12 m12 2m12 v12

 
(m1  m 2 )2  m 
2

 1  m2 
 m 
 2 
2 2
 m1   m 
Now   m 2    1  m 2   4m1
  m 
 m2   2 
2
 m1 
Obviously T 2 is maximum when   m2  is minimum but it is minimum when

 m2 
2
 m1 
  m 2  is minimum. This a positive quantity. Its minimum value is zero.
 m 
 2 
m1
 m 2  0 , or m  m that is, when the masses are equal.
T2 is maximum when m2 1 2