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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

A uniform wheel of radius R is made to rotate about its axis at an...

A uniform wheel of radius RR is made to rotate about its axis at an angular speed ω\omega. The rotating wheel is then placed on a rough horizontal surface, keeping its axis horizontal. Due to friction at the point of contact, the wheel accelerates forward while its rotational speed decreases until pure rolling begins. Determine the linear speed of the wheel once it achieves pure rolling.

Options

  1. AωR3\dfrac{\omega R}{3}
  2. BωR2\dfrac{\omega R}{2}
  3. C2ωR5\dfrac{2\omega R}{5}
  4. DωR\omega R

Correct answer

A. ωR3\dfrac{\omega R}{3}

Step-by-step solution

Let the mass of the uniform wheel be mm. A uniform wheel is considered as a uniform disc, so its moment of inertia about its central axis is I=12mR2I = \dfrac{1}{2}mR^2.

When the rotating wheel is placed on the rough horizontal surface, the frictional force acts at the point of contact. The normal reaction and gravitational force pass through the center of mass and are equal and opposite. Therefore, the net torque about any point on the ground along the line of motion is zero, and the angular momentum of the wheel about the point of contact is conserved.

Initial angular momentum about the point of contact:
Li=Iω=12mR2ωL_i = I\omega = \dfrac{1}{2}mR^2\omega

Let vv be the linear speed and ω′\omega' be the angular speed when pure rolling begins. For pure rolling, v=ω′Rv = \omega' R.

Final angular momentum about the point of contact:
Lf=Iω′+mvR=12mR2ω′+m(ω′R)R=32mR2ω′L_f = I\omega' + m v R = \dfrac{1}{2}mR^2\omega' + m(\omega' R)R = \dfrac{3}{2}mR^2\omega'

By conservation of angular momentum (Li=LfL_i = L_f):
12mR2ω=32mR2ω′\dfrac{1}{2}mR^2\omega = \dfrac{3}{2}mR^2\omega'

ω′=ω3\omega' = \dfrac{\omega}{3}

The linear speed of the wheel is:
v=ω′R=ωR3v = \omega' R = \dfrac{\omega R}{3}
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