TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING
PULCHOWK CAMPUS

Engineering Mechanics
Tutorial Questions

BME II/I

Prepared By
SAGAR REGMI
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Central Campus, Pulchowk

Dec, 2017
 Tutorial One: Virtual Work
1. The two-bar linkage shown is supported by a pin and bracket at B and a collar at D that
slides freely on a vertical rod. Determine the force P required to maintain the equilibrium
of the linkage.

2. The mechanism shown is acted upon by the force P; derive an expression for the magnitude
of the force Q required to maintain equilibrium. (ans: Q = (3P/2)tanθ)

3. Derive an expression for the magnitude of the couple M required to maintain the
equilibrium of the linkage shown. (Ans: M = 7PaCosθ)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 4. For the linkage shown, determine the force Q required for equilibrium when l = 18 in., M
= 600 lb in., and θ = 70°. (ans: 22.8 lb)

5. The position of member ABC is controlled by the hydraulic cylinder CD. Determine the
angle θ knowing that the hydraulic cylinder exerts a 15-kN force on pin C. (20.40)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 Tutorial Two: Kinetics of Particles – Force, Mass and Acceleration
1. The path of particle P is the ellipse defined by the relations r = 2 / (2 - cos πt) and θ = πt,
where r is expressed in meters, t is in seconds, and u is in radians. Determine the velocity
and the acceleration of the particle when (a) t = 0, (b) t = 0.5 s. (ans. 2πeθ , - 4π2er ) ( -π/2
er + πeθ , -π2/2 er – π2 eθ)

2. Determine the maximum theoretical speed that an automobile starting from rest can reach
after traveling 400 m. Assume that the coefficient of static friction is 0.80 between the tires
and the pavement and that (a) the automobile has front-wheel drive and the front wheels
support 62 percent of the automobile’s weight, (b) the automobile has rear-wheel drive and
the rear wheels support 43 percent of the automobile’s weight. (ans 225 km/h and
187.1km/h)

3. A 20-kg package is at rest on an incline when a force P is applied to it. Determine the
magnitude of P if 10 s is required for the package to travel 5 m up the incline. The static
and kinetic coefficients of friction between the package and the incline are both equal to
0.3. (419N to start and 301N during sliding)

4. The two blocks shown are originally at rest. Neglecting the masses of the pulleys and the
effect of friction in the pulleys and between block A and the horizontal surface, determine
(a) the acceleration of each block, (b) the tension in the cable. ( A: 2.49m/s2 towards right,
B: 0.831m/s2 downwards, 74.8N)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 5. Show that the radius r of the orbit of a moon of a given planet can be determined from the
radius R of the planet, the acceleration of gravity at the surface of the planet, and the time
t required by the moon to complete one full revolution about the planet. Determine the
acceleration of gravity at the surface of the planet Jupiter knowing that R = 71 492 km and
that t = 3.551 days and r = 670.9 * 103 km for its moon Europa. (ans. 24.8m/s2)
6. Motors A and B draw in the cable with the accelerations shown. Determine the acceleration
of the 300-lb crate C and the tension developed in the cable. Neglect the mass of all the
pulleys. (ans. 2.5ft/s2 upwards, 162 lb)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 Tutorial Three: Kinetics of Particles – Work Energy Principles
1. A package is projected 10 m up a 15° incline so that it just reaches the top of the incline
with zero velocity. Knowing that the coefficient of kinetic friction between the package
and the incline is 0.12, determine (a) the initial velocity of the package at A, (b) the velocity
of the package as it returns to its original position. (ans..8.57 & 5.3 m/s)

2. A trailer truck enters a 2 percent downhill grade traveling at 108 km/h and must slow down
to 72 km/h in 300 m. The cab has a mass of 1800 kg and the trailer 5400 kg. Determine (a)
the average braking force that must be applied, (b) the average force exerted on the
coupling between cab and trailer if 70 percent of the braking force is supplied by the trailer
and 30 percent by the cab.

3. Two blocks A and B, of mass 4 kg and 5 kg, respectively, are connected by a cord which
passes over pulleys as shown. A 3-kg collar C is placed on block A and the system is
released from rest. After the blocks have moved 0.9 m, collar C is removed and blocks A
and B continue to move. Determine the speed of block A just before it strikes the ground.
(ans.. 1.19 m/s)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 4. An 8-lb collar C slides on a horizontal rod between springs A and B. If the collar is pushed
to the right until spring B is compressed 2 in. and released, determine the distance through
which the collar will travel assuming (a) no friction between the collar and the rod, (b) a
coefficient of friction μk = 0.35.

5. A section of track for a roller coaster consists of two circular arcs AB and CD joined by a
straight portion BC. The radius of AB is 90 ft and the radius of CD is 240 ft. The car and
its occupants, of total weight 560 lb reach point A with practically no velocity and then
drop freely along the rack. Determine the normal force exerted by the track on the car as
the car reaches point B. Ignore air resistance and rolling resistance. (ans.. 167 lb)

6. A 1.2-kg collar C may slide without friction along a horizontal rod. It is attached to three
springs, each of constant k = 400 N/m and 150-mm un-deformed length. Knowing that the
collar is released from rest in the position shown, determine the maximum speed it will
reach in the ensuing motion. (ans. 3.19m/s)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 7. A 3-kg collar can slide without friction on a vertical rod and is resting in equilibrium on a
spring. It is pushed down, compressing the spring 150 mm, and released. Knowing that the
spring constant is k =2.6 kN/m, determine (a) the maximum height h reached by the collar
above its equilibrium position, (b) the maximum speed of the collar. (ans. a) 1000mm, b)
4.42m/s)

8. A spring is used to stop a 50-kg package which is moving down a 20° incline. The spring
has a constant k = 30 kN/m and is held by cables so that it is initially compressed 50 mm.
Knowing that the velocity of the package is 2 m/s when it is 8 m from the spring and
neglecting friction, determine the maximum additional deformation of the spring in
bringing the package to rest. (ans.. 0.269m)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 Tutorial Four: Kinetics of Particles – Impulse and Momentum
1. A truck is traveling on a level road at a speed of 90 km/h when its brakes are applied to
slow it down to 30 km/h. An antiskid braking system limits the braking force to a value at
which the wheels of the truck are just about to slide. Knowing that the coefficient of static
friction between the road and the wheels is 0.65, determine the shortest time needed for the
truck to slow down.
2. An 8-kg cylinder C rests on a 4-kg platform A supported by a cord which passes over the
pulleys D and E and is attached to a 4-kg block B. Knowing that the system is released
from rest, determine (a) the velocity of block B after 0.8 s, (b) the force exerted by the
cylinder on the platform.

3. A 125-g ball moving at a speed of 3 m/s strikes a 250-g plate supported by springs.
Assuming that no energy is lost in the impact, determine (a) the velocity of the ball
immediately after impact, (b) the impulse of the force exerted by the plate on the ball.

4. Two identical cars A and B are at rest on a loading dock with brakes released. Car C, of a
slightly different style but of the same weight, has been pushed by dockworkers and hits
car B with a velocity of 1.5 m/s. Knowing that the coefficient of restitution is 0.8 between
B and C and 0.5 between A and B, determine the velocity of each car after all collisions
have taken place.
5. Two steel blocks are sliding on a frictionless horizontal surface with the velocities shown.
Knowing that the coefficient of restitution between the two blocks is 0.75, determine (a)
the velocity of each block after impact, (b) the loss of kinetic energy due to the impact.

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 6. A 600-g ball A is moving with a velocity of magnitude 6 m/s when it is hit as shown by a
1-kg ball B which has a velocity of magnitude 4 m/s. Knowing that the coefficient of
restitution is 0.8 and assuming no friction, determine the velocity of each ball after impact.

7. Two identical pool balls of 2.37-in.-diameter, may move freely on a pool table. Ball B is at
rest and ball A has an initial velocity v = v0i. (a) Knowing that b = 2 in. and e = 0.7,
determine the velocity of each ball after impact. (b) Show that if e = 1, the final velocities
of the balls form a right angle for all values of b.

8. A 1.5-kg block B is attached to an undeformed spring of constant k = 80 N/m and is resting

9. When the rope is at an angle of α = 30° the 2-lb sphere A has a speed v0 = 2 ft/s. The
coefficient of restitution between A and the 4-lb wedge B is 0.8 and the length of rope l =
3 ft. The spring constant has a value of 100 lb/ft and θ = 20°. Determine the velocity of A
and B immediately after the impact.

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
Ans
1. 2.61sec
2. A. 3.92m/s B. 39.2N
3. A. 1m/sec B. 0.5N.s
4. A: 1.013 B: 0.338 C: 0.15 m/sec ( b) 0.0611 ft
5. 10.38 m/sec and 7.38 m/sec
6. 6.37 and 1.802 m/sec
7. 0.848 Vo and 0.456Vo
8. 0.685m and 5m/sec for e =1 ,, and 0.484m and 2.5 m/sec for e= 0
9. 1.093 ft/sec and 3.27 ft/sec

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 Tutorial Five: Kinematics of Rigid Bodies
1. A wheel has an angular acceleration of α = (0.5 θ) rad/s2 where θ is in radians. Determine
the magnitude of the velocity and acceleration of a point P located on its rim after the wheel
has rotated 2 revolutions. The wheel has a radius of 0.2 m and starts from rest.
2. For a short period of time, the motor turns gear A with a constant angular acceleration of
αA=4.5 rad/s2, starting from rest. Determine the velocity of the cylinder and the distance it
travels in three seconds. The cord is wrapped around pulley D which is rigidly attached to
gear B.

3. The large window in is opened using a hydraulic cylinder AB. If the cylinder extends at a
constant rate of 0.5 m/s, determine the angular velocity and angular acceleration of the
window at the instant θ=30°.

4. The bar AB of the linkage shown in Fig has a clockwise angular velocity of 30 rad/s when
θ=60°. Determine the angular velocities of member BC and the wheel at this instant.

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 5. End A of the link has a velocity of vA=3 m/s. Determine the velocity of the peg at B at this
instant. The peg is constrained to move along the slot.

6. If cable AB is unwound with a speed of 3 m/s and the gear rack C has a speed of 1.5 m/s,
determine the angular velocity of the gear and the velocity of its center O.

7. If link CD has an angular velocity of ωCD= 6 rad/s , determine the velocity of point E on
link BC and the angular velocity of link AB at the instant shown.

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 8. The spool shown in Fig. unravels from the cord, such that at the instant shown it has an
angular velocity of 3 rad/s and an angular acceleration of 4 rad/s2. Determine the
acceleration of point B.

9. At the instant shown, the slider block B is traveling to the right with the velocity and
acceleration shown. Determine the angular acceleration of the wheel at this instant.

10. At the instant shown, end A of the rod has the velocity and acceleration shown. Determine
the angular acceleration of the rod and acceleration of end B of the rod.

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 Tutorial Six: Plane Kinematics of Rigid Bodies: Force, Mass and Acceleration
1. The thin plate ABCD of mass 8 kg is held in the position shown by the wire BH and two links AE
and DF. Neglecting the mass of the links, determine immediately after wire BH has been cut (a)
the acceleration of the plate, (b) the force in each link.

2. A pulley weighing 12 lb and having a radius of gyration of 8 in. is connected to two blocks as
shown. Assuming no axle friction, determine the angular acceleration of the pulley and the
acceleration of each block.

3. The portion AOB of a mechanism consists of a 400-mm steel rod OB welded to a gear E of radius
120 mm which can rotate about a horizontal shaft O. It is actuated by a gear D and, at the instant
shown, has a clockwise angular velocity of 8 rad/s and a counterclockwise angular acceleration of
40 rad/s2. Knowing that rod OB has a mass of 3 kg and gear E a mass of 4 kg and a radius of
gyration of 85 mm, determine (a) the tangential force exerted by gear D on gear E, (b) the
components of the reaction at shaft O.

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 4. A 6×8 in. rectangular plate weighing 60 lb is suspended from two pins A and B. If pin B is suddenly
removed, determine (a) the angular acceleration of the plate, (b) the components of the reaction
at pin A, immediately after pin B has been removed.

5. A cord is wrapped around the inner drum of a wheel and pulled horizontally with a force of 200
N. The wheel has a mass of 50 kg and a radius of gyration of 70 mm. Knowing that µ s=0.20 and
µk= 0.15, determine the acceleration of G and the angular acceleration of the wheel.

6. The extremities of a 4-ft rod weighing 50 lb can move freely and with no friction along two straight
tracks as shown. If the rod is released with no velocity from the position shown, determine (a) the
angular acceleration of the rod, (b) the reactions at A and B.

7. The 100-kg beam BD shown in Fig. is supported by two rods having negligible mass. Determine
the force developed in each rod if at the instant θ=30o, ω=6 rad/s.

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 8. The 20-kg sphere rolls down the inclined plane without slipping. Determine the angular
acceleration of the sphere and the acceleration of its mass center.

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 Tutorial Seven: Plane motion of Rigid Bodies: Work and Energy Methods
1. The flywheel of a punching machine has a mass of 300 kg and a radius of gyration of 600
mm. Each punching operation requires 2500 J of work. (a) Knowing that the speed of the
flywheel is 300 rpm just before a punching, determine the speed immediately after the
punching. (b) If a constant 25-Nm couple is applied to the shaft of the flywheel, determine
the number of revolutions executed before the speed is again 300 rpm. (ans: a) 293rpm, b)
15.92 rev)
2. Each of the gears A and B has a mass of 2.4 kg and a radius of gyration of 60 mm, while
gear C has a mass of 12 kg and a radius of gyration of 150 mm. A couple M of constant
magnitude 10 N m is applied to gear C. Determine (a) the number of revolutions of gear C
required for its angular velocity to increase from 100 to 450 rpm, (b) the corresponding
tangential force acting on gear A. ( 6.35 rev, 7.14N)

3. The double pulley shown weighs 30 lb and has a centroidal radius of gyration of 6.5 in.
Cylinder A and block B are attached to cords that are wrapped on the pulleys as shown.
The coefficient of kinetic friction between block B and the surface is 0.25. Knowing that
the system is released from rest in the position shown, determine (a) the velocity of cylinder
A as it strikes the ground, (b) the total distance that block B moves before coming to rest.
(ans:9.73 ft/sec downwards, 7.65ft)

4. A slender rod of length l and weight W is pivoted at one end as shown. It is released from
rest in a horizontal position and swings freely. (a) Determine the angular velocity of the

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 rod as it passes through a vertical position and determine the corresponding reaction at the
pivot. (b) Solve part a for W = 1.8 lb and l = 3 ft. (ans: 1.732√(𝑔/𝑙), 5.67 rad/sec, 4.5 lb)

5. A 20-kg uniform cylindrical roller, initially at rest, is acted upon by a 90-N force as shown.
Knowing that the body rolls without slipping, determine (a) the velocity of its center G
after it has moved 1.5 m, (b) the friction force required to prevent slipping. (ans: 3m/sec
right, 30N left)

6. The motion of the uniform rod AB is guided by small wheels of negligible mass that roll
on the surface shown. If the rod is released from rest when θ = 0, determine the velocities
𝑔
of A and B when θ = 30°. (ans: 0.775√( 𝑙 ))

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 Tutorial Eight: Plane motion of Rigid Bodies: Impulse and momentum Methods
1. Two disks of the same thickness and same material are attached to a shaft as shown. The
8-lb disk A has a radius rA = 3 in., and disk B has a radius rB = 4.5 in. Knowing that a couple
M of magnitude 20 lb. in is applied to disk A when the system is at rest, determine the time
required for the angular velocity of the system to reach 960 rpm. (ans.2.84 sec)

2. The 350-kg flywheel of a small hoisting engine has a radius of gyration of 600 mm. If the
power is cut off when the angular velocity of the flywheel is 100 rpm clockwise, determine
the time required for the system to come to rest. (ans: 5.52 sec)

3. The double pulley shown has a mass of 3 kg and a radius of gyration of 100 mm. Knowing
that when the pulley is at rest, a force P of magnitude 24 N is applied to cord B, determine
(a) the velocity of the center of the pulley after 1.5 s, (b) the tension in cord C. (ans: a.
2.55m/sec b. 10.53 N)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 4. A 240-mm-radius cylinder of mass 8 kg rests on a 3-kg carriage. The system is at rest when
a force P of magnitude 10 N is applied as shown for 1.2 s. Knowing that the cylinder rolls
without sliding on the carriage and neglecting the mass of the wheels of the carriage,
determine the resulting velocity of (a) the carriage, (b) the center of the cylinder. (ans: a.
2.12m/s right, b. 1.235m/se right)

5. A 1.6-kg tube AB can slide freely on rod DE which in turn can rotate freely in a horizontal
plane. Initially the assembly is rotating with an angular velocity ω = 5 rad/s and the tube is
held in position by a cord. The moment of inertia of the rod and bracket about the vertical
axis of rotation is 0.30 kgm2 and the centroidal moment of inertia of the tube about a
vertical axis is 0.0025 kgm2. If the cord suddenly breaks, determine (a) the angular velocity
of the assembly after the tube has moved to end E, (b) the energy lost during the plastic
impact at E. (a. 2.54 rad/sec, b. 1.902J)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 6. A 3-kg rod of length 800 mm can slide freely in the 240-mm cylinder DE, which in turn
can rotate freely in a horizontal plane. In the position shown the assembly is rotating with
an angular velocity of magnitude ω= 40 rad/s and end B of the rod is moving toward the
cylinder at a speed of 75 mm/s relative to the cylinder. Knowing that the centroidal mass
moment of inertia of the cylinder about a vertical axis is 0.025 kgm2 and neglecting the
effect of friction, determine the angular velocity of the assembly as end B of the rod strikes
end E of the cylinder. (ans: 18.07rad/sec)

Engineering Mechanics BME II/I By: Sagar Regmi, Central Campus saakaregmi@outlook.com
 Tutorial (Theory)
Engineering Mechanics
1. Define the principle of virtual work with an example.
2. Define Newton's second law of motion. Show that the rate of change of Linear
momentum is equal to resultant force. State conservation of linear momentum
3. What do you mean by dynamic equilibrium?
4. Define Central force with an example. Show that angular momentum of a particle
moving under the central force is constant.
5. Derive the expression for the trajectory of a particle under a central force. Also write
expression for time period for a satellite on an elliptical orbit.
6. Explain Principle of work and energy for a particle with its application.
7. Define conservative and non-conservative forces with examples.
8. State and explain conservation of mechanical energy for a particle.
9. Define the principle of impulse and momentum for a particle.
10. Define impact and impulsive forces.
11. Derive an expression for the coefficient of restitution for direct central impact.
12. Explain various types of rigid body motion with examples. (Translation, Rotation about
fixed axis and GPM)
13. Define Instantaneous center of rotation with various methods to find the instantaneous
center of rotation for rigid body.
14. What do you mean by Coriolis acceleration in plane motion of rigid body? Derive its
expression.
15. Explain D’Alembert’s principle in relation with Newton’s 2nd law of motion.
16. State and prove the parallel axis theorem.
17. Derive an expression of mass moment of inertia of thin slender rod about its centroidal
axis.
18. Define mass moment of inertia and radius of gyration for a body. Write down the relation
between them.
19. Show that the rate of change of angular momentum of a rigid body is equal to Iα.
20. Briefly explain the constrained motion of rigid bodies in plane motion with suitable
examples.
21. Obtain the expression for kinetic energy in general plane motion of the rigid body.
22. Define degree of freedom in mechanical systems. Give examples of two degrees and
three degrees of freedom.
23. Define Lagrange principle with practical examples in the field of dynamics.
24. What do you mean by generalized coordinate system? Describe Lagrange equation of
motion for a vibrating system.
25. Derive the equation of a simple pendulum using Lagrange principle.