Newton’s Second Law
Rotational Motion of Class 11
Since torque is a rotational analog of force, therefore, Newton’s second law for rotational motion is given by
τnet = Iα (10.21)
Note that the above equation (10.21) is not a vector equation.
It is valid in two situations:
(i)The axis is fixed in position and direction.
(ii)The axis passes through the center of mass and is fixed in direction only.
The equation τcm = Icmαcm (10.22)
is valid even if the center of mass is accelerating.
Example 10.8
A disc-shaped pulley has mass M = 4 kg and radius R = 0.5 m. It rotates freely on a horizontal axis, as in figure (10.14). A block of mass m = 2 kg hangs by a string that is tightly wrapped around the pulley.
(a)What is the angular velocity of the pulley 3 s after the block is released?
(b)Find the speed of the block after it has fallen 1.6m. Assume the system starts at rest.
Solution
Since the string is tangential to the pulley, the torque on it due to the tension is τ = TR. The two forms of Newton's second law for the block and the pulley yield
Block(F = ma)mg - T = ma
Pulley (τ = Iα)TR = 
Applying Newton’s second Law
τ = Iα
For the disc, I = 1/2MR2
∴TR =
orT = 
(i)
Applying Newton’s second Law on the block
Fnet = ma
∴mg – T = ma(ii)
Since the block and the rim of the pulley have the same speed (the string does not slip), we have v = ωR and a = αR. Thus, from equation (i) we find
T = 1/2 Ma (iii)
Adding (ii) and (iii) leads to
a = 
(iv)
Putting m = 2 kg; M = 4 kg; R = 0.5m;
we get a = 5 m/s2
(a)To find ω after 3 s, we use equation (10.9)
ω = ωo + αt = 0 + (a/R)t = 30 rad/s
(b)To find the speed of the block we use
v2 = vo2 + 2ay = 0 + 2(5 m/s2)(1.6 m)
Thusv = 4 m/s
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Example 10.9
For the arrangement shown in the |
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Solution
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The free body diagrams of the pulley and the blocks are shown in the figure. Note that tensions on two sides of the pulley are different. Why? Applying Newton’s second law on the pulley, we get τ = T1R – T2R = (T1 – T2)R
Sinceτ = Iα =
Therefore, (T1 – T2)R =
orT1 – T2 = Applying Newton’s Law on the blocks, we get T2 – m2g = m2a2 (ii) m1g – T1 = m1a1(iii) |
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Since the string is tightly wrapped over the pulley, therefore,
a1 = a2 = αR = a (iv)
Solving equations (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), we obtain
a = 
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Example 10.10
A fly wheel of mass M = 2 kg and radius R = 40 cm rotates freely at |
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Solution
We choose the initial sense of the angular velocity as positive. The force of friction is
f = μkF and its (counterclockwise) torque is τ = -fR.
Using τ = Iα, we have
-(μkF)R =
orα = 
rad/s2
The angular rotation θ of the wheel is given by
ω2 = ωo2 + 2αθ
Hereωo = 2πN/60 = 2π(600)/60 = 20π rad/s
∴0 = (20π rad/s)2 + 2(-12.5 rad/s2)θ
Thus, θ = 16π2 rad.
The number of revolutions (16π2rad)(1 rev/2π rad) = 8π revolutions.
Example 10.11
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A uniform rod of length L and mass M is pivoted freely at one end as shown in the figure (10.17). (a)What is the angular acceleration of the rod when it is at angle θ to the vertical? (b)What is the tangential linear acceleration of the free end when the rod is horizontal? The moment of inertia of the rod about one end is 1/3ML2. |
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Solution
Figure (10.17) shows the rod at an angle θ to the vertical.
Net torque about the point O is
τo = Mg L/2 sin θ
Using II law of motion
τo = Ioα
Thus,
α = 3g sin θ/2L
(b)When the rod is horizontal θ = π/2 and α = 3g/2L. From equation (10.13), the tangential linear acceleration is
at = αL = 3g/2
This is greater than the acceleration of an object in free-fall.
