Quantrex Quantrex AcademyJEE · NEET · NDA PYQs with solutions Open app
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
Exam
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Rotational Mechanics

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Rotational Mechanics

As shown in the figure, a small spherical ball of mass m rolls down...

As shown in the figure, a small spherical ball of mass mm rolls down a loop track. The ball is released on the linear portion at a vertical height HH from the lowest point. The circular part shown has a radius RR. Determine the kinetic energy of the ball when it is at a point AA, where the radius makes an angle θ\theta with the horizontal.
As shown in the figure, a small spherical ball of mass m rolls down a loop track. The ball is released on the linear

Options

  1. A57mg(H−R−Rsin⁡θ)\dfrac{5}{7}mg(H - R - R\sin\theta)
  2. Bmg(H−2R−Rsin⁡θ)mg(H - 2R - R\sin\theta)
  3. Cmg(H−R−Rsin⁡θ)mg(H - R - R\sin\theta)
  4. Dmg(H−Rsin⁡θ)mg(H - R\sin\theta)

Correct answer

C. mg(H−R−Rsin⁡θ)mg(H - R - R\sin\theta)

Step-by-step solution

Let the lowest point of the loop track be the reference level for zero gravitational potential energy (U=0U = 0).

The ball is released from rest at a vertical height HH. Therefore, its initial kinetic energy is zero, and its initial mechanical energy is entirely potential:
Ei=mgHE_i = mgH

At point A, the radius of the circular track makes an angle hetaheta with the horizontal. The center of the circular loop is at a height RR from the lowest point. The vertical height of point A from the center of the loop is Rsin⁡θR\sin\theta.
Thus, the total height of point A from the lowest point is:
hA=R+Rsin⁡θh_A = R + R\sin\theta

The potential energy of the ball at point A is:
UA=mghA=mg(R+Rsin⁡θ)U_A = mgh_A = mg(R + R\sin\theta)

Since the ball rolls down the track, the point of contact is instantaneously at rest, meaning the static friction does no work. Therefore, the total mechanical energy of the system is conserved.

Let KAK_A be the total kinetic energy of the ball at point A. By the principle of conservation of mechanical energy:
Ei=UA+KAE_i = U_A + K_A

Substituting the values, we get:
mgH=mg(R+Rsin⁡θ)+KAmgH = mg(R + R\sin\theta) + K_A

Solving for the total kinetic energy KAK_A:
KA=mgH−mg(R+Rsin⁡θ)K_A = mgH - mg(R + R\sin\theta)
KA=mg(H−R−Rsin⁡θ)K_A = mg(H - R - R\sin\theta)

Note: The total kinetic energy is simply the loss in potential energy. If the question had specifically asked for the *translational* kinetic energy, it would be 57mg(H−R−Rsin⁡θ)\dfrac{5}{7}mg(H - R - R\sin\theta), but "kinetic energy" of a rolling body refers to its total kinetic energy (translational + rotational).

Answer: mg(H−R−Rsin⁡θ)mg(H - R - R\sin\theta)
Practice Rotational Mechanics on Quantrex Academy →

More from Rotational Mechanics

A wheel revolves about its axis with a uniform angular acceleration. Beginning from rest… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]Starting from rest, a wheel is uniformly accelerated at 4 rad/s^2 for 10 seconds.… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]Determine the angular velocity of a body rotating with an acceleration of 2 rev/s^2 as it… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]A body rotates about a fixed axis with an angular acceleration of one… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]A disc of radius 10 cm rotates about its axis with an angular speed of 20 rad/s .… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]A disc of radius 10 cm rotates about its axis with an angular speed of 20 rad/s .… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]A disc rotates about its axis with a uniform angular acceleration of 4 rad/s^2 .… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]A block is suspended from a string wrapped on a disc of radius 20 cm , which is free to… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] Full Rotational Mechanics list All Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] PYQs