Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 1 David Apsley

TOPIC C: ENERGY EXAMPLES SPRING 2014

(Take g = 9.81 m s
2
).

Q1.
Find the kinetic energy of:
(a) a bullet of mass 20 g moving at 400 m s
1
;
(b) a racing car of mass 2.5 tonnes travelling at 300 km hr
1
;
(c) a spherical raindrop of diameter 2 mm falling at 20 m s
1
.
(Take the density of water as 1000 kg m
3
.)


Q2.
Consider the collision and subsequent motion in a straight line of two particles with masses
1 kg and 10 kg and velocities before collision of v
1
= 15 m s
1
and v
2
= 4 m s
1
, when the
coefficient of restitution e took values 0, 0.5 and 1. The pre-collision and post-collision
velocities (denoted by a prime) are given in the following table.

1 kg
v
1
(m s
1
)
10 kg
v
2
(m s
1
)
1 kg
1
v (m s
1
)
10 kg
2
v (m s
1
)
e = 0.0 15 4 5 5
e = 0.5 15 4 0 5.5
e = 1.0 15 4 -5 6

(a) Confirm the post-collision velocities in the table.
(b) Calculate the total kinetic energy of the two-particle system before collision and, for
each value of e, the total kinetic energy of the system after collision. What is the
effect of inelastic collisions on (i) momentum; (ii) kinetic energy?
(c) (Optional) Find a general expression for the energy loss in the collision in terms of
m
1
, m
2
, v
1
, v
2
and e.


Q3.
A 5000 kg van has a 150 hp engine (1 hp = 745.7 W). Neglecting friction, what is the
maximum steady speed with which this van can ascend a 10 slope?


Q4.
Greek legend has it that Sisyphus was condemned for ever to roll a boulder up a mountain,
only to watch it roll back down again under its own weight. Assuming that the boulder had
mass 2000 kg and he rolled it up a 1 in 3 slope at a steady 0.3 m s
1
, find the power required
during the ascent.


Q5.
For a solid rod under axial forces (tension or compression), Hookes law is often expressed as
stress = Youngs modulus strain
Use this to deduce the equivalent stiffness and elastic modulus for a uniform rod of length L,
cross-sectional area A and Youngs modulus E.

Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 2 David Apsley
Q6.
An object of mass 1.6 kg rests on a smooth
slope inclined at 10 to the horizontal. It is
connected by a light inextensible string
passing over a smooth rail at the top of the
slope to an object of mass 0.8 kg which hangs
freely. After release from rest use energy
methods to determine:
(a) which object rises;
(b) their speed when they have moved 0.5 m;
(c) the distance that each has moved when their speed is 3 m s
1
.




Q7 (Meriam and Kraige)
The 0.5 kg collar C starts from rest at A and slides
with negligible friction on the fixed rod in the
vertical plane. Determine the velocity v with
which the collar strikes end B when acted upon by
the 5 N force, which is constant in direction.
Neglect the dimensions of the collar.




Q8.
A spring of natural length 0.6 m is stretched 100 mm by a load of 50 N. Find:
(a) the stiffness (k) of the spring;
(b) the elastic modulus () of the spring;
(c) the potential energy stored in the spring.


Q9.
A spring of natural length 300 mm is attached to the floor. When a mass of 0.15 kg is placed
on the top the spring is compressed by 40 mm. The mass is then pushed down a further
100 mm and released.
(a) find the stiffness of the spring;
(b) find the maximum height (above the floor) to which the mass rises if:
(i) it remains attached to the spring;
(ii) it is not attached to the spring.



10
o
1.6 kg
0.8 kg
2
0
0

m
m
30
o
A
B
C
5 N

Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 3 David Apsley
Q10. (Meriam and Kraige)
A frictionless 6 kg cylindrical collar is released from rest in
the position shown and drops onto the spring. Calculate:
(a) the maximum deflection of the spring;
(b) the velocity v of the collar when the spring has been
compressed 50 mm.




Q11.
A flexible but inextensible chain of length L is held on
a smooth table with an initial overhang a as shown.
Calculate the velocity v with which the chain will
leave the table if released from rest.



Q12.
The ceiling of a room is 3 m above the floor. A ball of mass m kg hangs from an elastic string
attached to the ceiling. The natural length of the string is 1.2 m and in equilibrium the ball
hangs 1.5 m below the ceiling. The ball is now pulled down to the floor with the string
stretched. Find the speed with which the ball hits the ceiling when released.



Q13.
(a) An ellipse with semi-axes 0.8 m and
1.2 m is cut from a uniform lamina as
shown (all lengths in m). Find the
position of the centre of mass of the
resulting plane figure.
(b) The object is pivoted about point A and
hangs in equilibrium. If the lamina has
area mass density 5 kg m
2
how much
work must be done to rotate the object
so that point B is vertically above A?




Q14.
In the assembly shown the links are each of
length 2a, whilst the spring has unstretched
length a and stiffness k. Use the Principle of
Virtual Work to find an expression for the
force P in terms of the distance x.


C
6 kg
500 mm
k = 12 kN/m
L-a
a
2.8
1.0
1.4
3.6
0.8
1.2
A B
1.0
1.4
k
a
a
P
x

Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 4 David Apsley
Q15.
A mass M is suspended from the end of an arm of
length 2L and is lifted by the application of a horizontal
force F to a side link of length L freely jointed at the
centre of the main arm. If the masses of both links are
negligible, use the Principle of Virtual Work to show
that, at equilibrium,
tan Mg F
where is the angle made by the main arm with the
vertical.




Q16. (Lee)
The diagram shows a smooth wire bent into the form of a
circle in a vertical plane. A ring P is threaded on the circle and
tied to a light inextensible string which passes over a pulley O
at the highest point of the circle. A particle of the same mass
as the ring hangs at the other end of the string. Use an energy
method to find two positions of equilibrium, one stable and
the other unstable.



Q17.
A uniform rod of mass 2m and length L is smoothly
hinged at A. A light inextensible string is attached to its
other end B and passes over a smooth rail at C to carry a
mass m. The rail at C is distance L vertically above A. The
total length of the string is l.
(a) Find an expression for the potential energy relative
to point C in terms of the angle made by the rod
with the upward vertical.
(b) Show that, provided the length of the string is
sufficient, there are two positions of equilibrium
and determine which is stable.



Q18.
A small smooth peg is at a distance d from a fixed smooth
vertical rod. A ring of mass m is free to slide on the rod. It is
attached to one end of a light string of length L which passes
over the peg and carries a load of mass 3m at the other end.

By expressing the potential energy as a function of the angle
(see the figure) find how far the ring is below the peg in the
equilibrium position (as a multiple of d) and show that this
equilibrium is stable.
M

L
L
L
F

O
P
Q
L
L
mass 2m
A
B
C
m

m
3m

Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 5 David Apsley
Q19.
In the mechanism shown, a mass m is free to slide
on a frictionless smooth vertical rod. It is connected
rigidly to a second mass m by a light horizontal
strut. The mechanism is constrained by light struts
of length L which are smoothly hinged at A, B and
C and have a smooth slider on the connecting rod
at D. The spring shown has stiffness k and
unstretched length equal to that of the connecting
rod. The dimensions of the masses may be
neglected.
(a) Write expressions for the horizontal and
vertical lengths x and y respectively, in
terms of the single degree of freedom .
(b) Draw the active force diagram.
(c) Determine any possible positions of
equilibrium (i.e. values of ) using:
(i) virtual-work
(ii) potential-energy
methods, distinguishing the range of values of k for which they may occur.
(Hint: you should find that for some values of k there are two possible positions of
equilibrium, whilst for other values of k there is only one).
(d) (Hard) Use the potential-energy method to determine the stability of each of the
positions of equilibrium in (c).



Q20. (Lee)
A small lamp of mass m is at the end A of a light rod AB
of length 2a attached at B to a vertical wall in such a way
that the rod can rotate freely about B in a vertical plane. A
spring CD of natural length a and modulus of elasticity
is joined to the rod at its mid-point C and to the wall at a
point D a distance a vertically above B, as shown. Show
that if > 4mg the lamp can hang in stable equilibrium,
and find the angle DBA.




Q21.
A rhombus ABCD is formed of light rods, each of length L, which
are pin-jointed together and hung from point A. Mass m is hung from
point C. Joints B and D are connected by a spring of natural length L
and modulus of elasticity 2mg. Find an expression for the potential
energy of the system and calculate the angle made by each rod with
the vertical.
(Note: you may need to use repeated trial to solve for ).

y
L
L L
x
m
m
A
k
B
C
D E
D
C
a
a
a
A
B
k = 2mg
m
A
B D
C

Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 6 David Apsley
Q22.
A winch operating at 3 kW pulls a box of mass 200 kg at a steady speed up a slope inclined at
25 to the horizontal. Find the speed of the box if the slope is:
(a) smooth;
(b) rough, with coefficient of friction between box and slope of 0.3.


Q23.
A box of mass 2 kg is placed on a rough, horizontal plane. It is to be pulled along by an
elastic string with natural length 0.5 m and modulus of elasticity 15 N. The coefficient of
friction between box and plane is 0.3. If the string is pulled horizontally from its free end how
long would the string be when the box started to move?


Q24.
A block of mass 5 kg slides a distance
3 m down a slope of 15. If the
coefficient of kinetic friction between
block and plane is 0.1, find:
(a) the work done by friction;
(b) the velocity of the block at the
bottom of the slope.



Q25.
Blocks A and B of mass 20 kg and 15 kg
respectively are connected by a light inextensible
string as shown. The coefficient of friction between
block A and the sloping plane is 0.2. Use energy
methods to determine:
(a) which block rises;
(b) the speed of the blocks when each has moved
0.5 m.



Q26.
In a bungee jump a volunteer of mass 70 kg drops from a bridge, tethered to his jump point
by an elastic cable of unstretched length L = 20 m and elastic modulus 3000 N. Ignoring
energy losses, and assuming he hits nothing below(!), find:
(a) the jumpers maximum distance of fall;
(b) his velocity when the cable first becomes taut;
(c) his maximum fall velocity.

If the cable were to break at a strain of 30%, find:
(d) the speed with which he would hit the water 50 m below the bridge.

15
o
3 m
5 kg
2
0

k
g
15
kg
A
B
30
o

Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 7 David Apsley
Q27.
A catapult consists of a light elastic string of elastic
modulus = 200 N and unstretched length 0.2 m
attached to fixed points P and Q a distance 0.3 m
apart horizontally. A mass of 0.1 kg is placed at the
centre of the string and pulled vertically downward
to a distance 0.2 m below the fixed points before
being released. Neglecting friction find:
(a) the speed with which the mass leaves the string;
(b) the maximum height above the fixed points to which it rises.



Q28. (Mechanics for Civil Engineers Exam, January 2011 extended)
A particle of mass 4 kg is placed on a smooth
plane sloping at 30 to the horizontal as shown.
The particle is tethered to point O at the top of the
slope by a light string of unstretched length 3 m
and elastic modulus = 90 N.

(a) Calculate the extension of the string and
the distance of the particle from O at
equilibrium.

The particle is pulled further down the slope so that its distance from O is 6 m.
(b) Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the string at this point.
(c) Show that, if released from rest, it will reach the top of the slope and find its speed
when it gets there.

The slope is now roughened so that the coefficient of friction between particle and plane is
0.3.
(d) Find the maximum friction force between particle and plane and hence the maximum
and minimum distances from O at which it can remain at rest.
(e) By considering the work done by friction, show that, if released from rest at the same
position as in part (b), the particle will not reach the top of the rough slope and
determine how close to O it can get.



Q29.
A solid brass weight of mass M consists of a circular cylinder with height equal to its
diameter surmounted by a hemispherical dome of the same diameter. It is placed on a plane
sloping at 10 to the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between weight and plane is 0.1.
(a) Find the centre of mass of the weight and confirm that it will not topple over.

The base of the weight is tethered to the top of the slope by a string of length L and elastic
modulus = 4Mg. The weight is released from rest with the string just taut.
(b) Confirm that the weight will slide down the slope.
(c) Find (as a multiple of L) the maximum distance that the weight will slide.

0.3 m
P Q
30
o
O
4 kg

Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 8 David Apsley


Q30.
A mountain climber loses his footing and slides 12 m down a 1-in-3 slope before falling over
a precipice. Fortunately he had attached himself via an elastic cord of unstretched length
10 m and elastic modulus = 3000 N to the point from which he slid. If the climber has mass
75 kg and the coefficient of friction between climber and slope is 0.2, find:
(a) the climbers speed at the moment when he topples over the precipice;
(b) the maximum distance that he falls below the precipice.


Q31.
A sledge of mass 25 kg slides down a chute in the form of a
circular arc, radius 20 m, subtending an angle of 50. It starts
from rest and reaches the bottom travelling at 9 m s
1
. Find:
(a) the kinetic energy at the bottom of the chute;
(b) the work done by gravity;
(c) the work done by the friction force;
(d) the average friction force.



Q32.
A water jet of diameter 100 mm and speed 15 m s
1

impacts on the buckets of a Pelton wheel (a modern
design of water wheel).
(a) If all the kinetic energy of the water is
converted into rotational energy of the wheel,
and thence into electrical energy, what would
be the maximum output power?
(b) Give some reasons, other than friction, why
this power could not be achieved.
(Take the density of water as 1000 kg m
3
.)




9 m/s
50
o
20 m
Jet
Bucket

Mechanics Examples for Topic C (Energy) - 9 David Apsley
Q33.
(a) A DC electric motor is used to lift a
200 kg mass at a steady 0.7 m s
1
via a
pulley and counterweight of 60 kg (see
the figure right). If the electrical input is
1.0 kW, what is the combined electrical
and mechanical efficiency of the
system?

(b) If the cable from the motor to the 60 kg
mass were suddenly to break, how much
higher would the 200 kg mass rise before
coming momentarily to rest?



200
kg
60
kg
1 kW motor
0.7 m/s