rigid bodies [39 marks]

1.
[Maximum mark: 3]
20N.3.SL.TZ0.8
A solid sphere of radius r and mass m is released from rest and rolls down a slope, without
slipping. The vertical height of the slope is h . The moment of inertia I of this sphere about an axis
2 2
through its centre is m r .
5

Show that the linear velocity v of the sphere as it leaves the slope is
√ 10 gh
7
.

mgh=0.5mv2+0.5Iω2
mgh=0.7mv2

√ 10 gh
7
=V

[3]

2.
[Maximum mark: 6]
20N.3.SL.TZ0.6
A bar rotates horizontally about its centre, reaching a maximum angular velocity in six complete
rotations from rest. The bar has a constant angular acceleration of 0.110 rad s−2. The moment of
inertia of the bar about the axis of rotation is 0.0216 kg m2.
(a)
Show that the final angular velocity of the bar is about 3 rad s−1.

Ω2= pi·4·6·0,11
Ω2= 8,293
Ω = 2.88
[2]
(b)
Draw the variation with time t of the angular displacement θ of the bar during the acceleration.

[1]
(c)
Calculate the torque acting on the bar while it is accelerating.
0,11·0,0216=Torque
Torque=0,002376
[1]
(d)
The torque is removed. The bar comes to rest in 30 complete rotations with constant angular
deceleration. Determine the time taken for the bar to come to rest.

0 = Ωo2 +2·deaccelaration·60·pi
-8,29:(120·pi) = deacceleration
Deacceleration = -0,2171

60·pi = 0,5·-0,2171·t2+2,88·t
T=57s

[2]

3.
[Maximum mark: 5]
19M.3.SL.TZ2.8
A uniform ladder of weight 50.0 N and length 4.00 m is placed against a frictionless wall making
an angle of 60.0° with the ground.

(a)
Outline why the normal force acting on the ladder at the point of contact with the wall is equal to
the frictional force F between the ladder and the ground.
It’s the same because the ladder is not moving, the sum of torques is equal.
[1]
(b)
Calculate F.
F=μ⋅N
F=(0.400)⋅(50.0N)
F=20.0N

[2]
(c)
The coefficient of friction between the ladder and the ground is 0.400. Determine whether the
ladder will slip.
Fparallel=(50.0N)⋅(9.8m/s2)⋅sin(60.0∘)
Fparallel≈50.0 N⋅8.66
Fparallel≈433 N
[2]

4.
[Maximum mark: 5]
19M.3.SL.TZ2.9
2 2
The moment of inertia of a solid sphere is I = m r where m is the mass of the sphere and r is the
5
radius.
(a)
Show that the total kinetic energy Ek of the sphere when it rolls, without slipping, at speed v
7 2
is E K= m v .
10
Ek=21Mv2+21Iω2
[2]
(b)
A solid sphere of mass 1.5 kg is rolling, without slipping, on a horizontal surface with a speed of
0.50 m s-1. The sphere then rolls, without slipping, down a ramp to reach a horizontal surface that
is 45 cm lower.

Calculate the speed of the sphere at the bottom of the ramp.

0.5mv2+mgh=7/10mv2+mgh

V2=2/7(9.8m/s2)(0.45m)+5/7(0.50m/s)2
1.74 m/s.
[3]

5.
[Maximum mark: 10]
18N.3.SL.TZ0.6
A uniform rod of weight 36.0 N and length 5.00 m rests horizontally. The rod is pivoted at its left-
hand end and is supported at a distance of 4.00 m from the frictionless pivot.

The support is suddenly removed and the rod begins to rotate clockwise about the pivot point.
The moment of inertia of the rod about the pivot point is 30.6 kg m2.
(a)
Calculate the force the support exerts on the rod.
36.0 N
[2]
(b.i)
Calculate, in rad s–2, the initial angular acceleration α of the rod.
4.71 rad/s²
[2]
(b.ii)
1 2
After time t the rod makes an angle θ with the horizontal. Outline why the equation θ= α t
2
π
cannot be used to find the time it takes θ to become (that is for the rod to become vertical for
2
the first time)
Because the force that is being exerted by the support isn’t constant.
[2]
(c.i)
At the instant the rod becomes vertical show that the angular speed is ω = 2.43 rad s–1.
[3]
(c.ii)
At the instant the rod becomes vertical calculate the angular momentum of the rod.
74.3 kg·m²/s
[1]

6.
[Maximum mark: 10]
18M.3.SL.TZ1.6
A constant force of 50.0 N is applied tangentially to the outer edge of a merry-go-round. The
following diagram shows the view from above.
The merry-go-round has a moment of inertia of 450 kg m2 about a vertical axis. The merry-go-
round has a diameter of 4.00 m.
The merry-go-round starts from rest and the force is applied for one complete revolution.
A child of mass 30.0 kg is now placed onto the edge of the merry-go-round. No external torque
acts on the system.
The child now moves towards the centre.
(a)
Show that the angular acceleration of the merry-go-round is 0.2 rad s–2.
450kg⋅m·α=250.0N⋅2.00m

[2]
(b.i)
Calculate, for the merry-go-round after one revolution, the angular speed.
2πrad/s.
[1]
(b.ii)
Calculate, for the merry-go-round after one revolution, the angular momentum.
900πkg⋅m2/s.
[1]
(c)
Calculate the new angular speed of the rotating system.
1.4rad/s.
[2]
(d.i)
Explain why the angular speed will increase.
The angular speed will increase because the angular momentum is constant.
[2]
(d.ii)
Calculate the work done by the child in moving from the edge to the centre.
4500J
[2]

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2023