Physics Enhancement Programme Phase 2

Selection Test 1 (Total 100 points)

11 January 2020
1. A marble bounces down stairs in a regular manner, hitting each step at the same place and
bouncing the same height above each step. The height and the depth of each step are both equal to 𝑙
and the coefficient of restitution 𝑒 is given.
(a) Find the vertical speed of the marble just before the bounce.
(b) Find the horizontal speed of the marble.
(c) Find the bounce height of the marble ℎ.
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(The coefficient of restitution is defined as 𝑒 = ≤ 1, where 𝑣+ and 𝑣, are the vertical velocities
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just after and before the bounce respectively.)

Solution:
(a) The velocities just before and after a bounce are
𝑣- = 𝑣. 𝚤 − 𝑣, 𝚥
𝑣2 = 𝑣. 𝚤 + 𝑣+ 𝚥 = 𝑣. 𝚤 + 𝑒𝑣, 𝚥
The conservation of mechanical energy gives
1 1
𝑚𝑣-2 = 𝑚𝑣22 + 𝑚𝑔𝑙
2 2
⇒ 𝑣-2 = 𝑣22 + 2𝑔𝑙
⇒ 𝑣,2 = 𝑒 2 𝑣,2 + 2𝑔𝑙
2𝑔𝑙
⇒ 𝑣, =
1 − 𝑒2

(b) The time required for each bounce is

−𝑣, = 𝑣+ − 𝑔𝑡
𝑣, + 𝑣+ 𝑙
⇒𝑡= =
𝑔 𝑣.
𝑙𝑔 𝑔𝑙 𝑔𝑙 1 − 𝑒
⇒ 𝑣. = = =
𝑣, + 𝑣+ 1 + 𝑒 𝑣, 2 1+𝑒
(c) The height is
𝑣+2 𝑒 2 2𝑔𝑙 𝑒2𝑙
ℎ= = =
2𝑔 2𝑔 1 − 𝑒 2 1 − 𝑒 2

2. As shown in the below figure, the ball on the left rolls horizontally without slipping at speed 𝑣
toward an identical ball initially at rest. Each ball is a uniform sphere of mass 𝑀. Assuming that all
the frictional forces are small enough to have a negligible effect during the instant of collision, and
that the instantaneous collision is perfectly elastic. The moment of inertia of a sphere of mass 𝑀,
2
radius 𝑅 about its center is 𝐼 = 𝑀𝑅2 .
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(a) Calculate the velocity of each ball at a long enough time after the collision when each ball is
again rolling without slipping.

(b) What is the fraction of the initial energy transformed by the frictional forces to thermal energy.

Solution:
(a) Before the collision
𝑣
𝑣- = 𝑣, 𝑣2 = 0, 𝜔- = ,𝜔 = 0
𝑅 2
During the collision, as friction can be neglected, the forces with which the ball interact are directed
through the centers so that the angular momentum about the center of each is conserved. Thus
𝜔-@ = 𝜔- , 𝜔2@ = 0
As the collision is elastic, conservation of translational momentum and kinetic energy require
𝑣-@ = 0, 𝑣2@ = 𝑣- = 𝑣
Right after the collision, the balls roll with slipping.
After some time, the balls again roll without slipping. Let the quantities at this time be denoted by
double primes.

The angular momentum of each ball about some fixed point in the plane of motion is conserved.
Consider the angular momentum of each ball about the point of contact with the horizontal plane,

For ball 1,
𝑀𝑅𝑣-@ + 𝐼𝜔-@ = 𝑀𝑅𝑣-@@ + 𝐼𝜔-@@
𝐼𝑣 𝐼 @@
⇒ = 𝑀𝑅 + 𝑣
𝑅 𝑅 -
𝑣 2
⇒ 𝑣-@@ = = 𝑣
𝑀𝑅2 7
+1
𝐼

For ball 2,
𝑀𝑅𝑣2@ + 𝐼𝜔2@ = 𝑀𝑅𝑣2@@ + 𝐼𝜔2@@
𝐼 @@
⇒ 𝑀𝑅𝑣 = 𝑀𝑅 + 𝑣
𝑅 2
 𝑣 5
⇒ 𝑣2@@ = = 𝑣
𝐼 7
1+
𝑀𝑅2

(b) The initial and final energies of the system are

1 1 7
𝐸, = 𝑀𝑣-2 + 𝐼𝜔-2 = 𝑀𝑣 2
2 2 10
1 2 2 1 2 2 29 7
𝐸+ = 𝑀 𝑣-@@ + 𝑣2@@ + 𝐼 𝜔-@@ + 𝜔2@@ = ⋅ 𝑀𝑣 2
2 2 49 10
Hence the loss of energy is
20 7
𝛥𝐸 = 𝐸, − 𝐸+ = ⋅ 𝑀𝑣 2
49 10
2H
And the fractional loss is .
IJ

3. A mass 𝑚- moves around a hole on a frictionless horizontal table. The mass is tied to a string
which passes through the hole. A mass 𝑚2 is tied to the other end of the string. The initial position
and the initial velocity of mass 𝑚- are 𝑅H and 𝑉H respectively. The angle between 𝑅H and 𝑉H is 𝜙.
(a) Find a polynomial equation that determines the maximum and minimum radial distances of the
orbit. (Do not bother to solve it!)
(b) If 𝑚- moves into a circular orbit after a long enough time, find the corresponding radius 𝑟H and
period 𝑇H .
(c) Find the angular frequency of oscillation of the radius of the orbit when the orbit is slightly
different from circular.

$⃗ &⃗

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Solution:
(a) The equation of motion of 𝑚- and 𝑚2 are
𝑚- 𝑟 − 𝑟𝜃 2 = −𝑇 [1]
2
𝑚- 𝑟 𝜃 = 𝑚𝑅H 𝑉H sin 𝜙 [2]
𝑇 − 𝑚2 𝑔 = 𝑚2 𝑟 [3]
where 𝑇 is the tension of the string.

To eliminate 𝑇 from equations [1] and [3],

𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑟 − 𝑚- 𝑟𝜃 2 + 𝑚2 𝑔 = 0 [4]
Equations [2] and [4] gives
UV WXY ZXY [\]Y ^
𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑟 − = −𝑚2 𝑔 [5]
_`
 a_
As 𝑟 = 𝑟 , we can integrate the equation and yield
a_
1 𝑚- 𝑅H2 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙
𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑟 2 + + 𝑚2 𝑔𝑟 = 𝐶
2 2𝑟 2
At 𝑡 = 0, 𝑟 = 𝑅H and 𝑟 0 = 𝑉H cos 𝜙, we have
1 1
𝐶 = 𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑉H2 cos 2 𝜙 + 𝑚- 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙 + 𝑚2 𝑔𝑅H
2 2

For 𝑟 to be extremum, 𝑟 = 0 and we get

𝑚- 𝑅H2 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙
+ 𝑚2 𝑔𝑟 = 𝐶
2𝑟 2
⇒ 2𝑚2 𝑔𝑟 e − 2𝐶𝑟 2 + 𝑚- 𝑅H2 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙 = 0
whose solution gives the maximum and minimum radial distance of 𝑟.

[Remark: Part a can be solved using the conservation of energy and angular momentum. Let 𝑙 be the
length of the string, the total mechanical energy is
1 1
𝐸 = 𝑚- 𝑟 2 + 𝑟 2 𝜃 2 + 𝑚2 𝑟 2 + 𝑚2 𝑔 𝑙 − 𝑟
2 2
Initially the energy is
1 1
𝐸 = 𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙 + 𝑚- 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙 + 𝑚2 𝑔(𝑙 − 𝑅H )
2 2
The angular momentum is
𝐿 = 𝑚- 𝑟 2 𝜃 = 𝑚- 𝑅H 𝑉H sin 𝜙
and we will get the same answer by combining two equations]

(b) If the orbit is circular, 𝑟 = 𝑟 = 0 and 𝑟 = 𝑟H , we have

𝑚- 𝑅H2 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙
𝑟He =
𝑚2 𝑔
and
2 2
-/e
𝑅H 𝑉H sin 𝜙 𝑚2 𝑔 e 1 𝑚2 𝑔 e
𝜃= 2 = 𝑅H 𝑉H sin 𝜙 2 2 =
𝑟H 𝑚- 𝑅H 𝑉H sin2 𝜙 𝑅H 𝑉H sin 𝜙 𝑚-
The period of the circular motion is
2
2𝜋 𝑚- e -/e
𝑇= = 2𝜋 𝑅H 𝑉H sin 𝜙
𝜃 𝑚2 𝑔

(c) When the orbit is slightly different from circular, let 𝑟 = 𝑟H + 𝑥 and 𝑥 ≪ 𝑟H , equation [5]
becomes
𝑚- 𝑅H2 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙
𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑥 − = −𝑚2 𝑔
𝑟H + 𝑥 e
𝑚- 𝑅H2 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙 3𝑥
⇒ 𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑥 − e 1− = −𝑚2 𝑔
𝑟H 𝑟H
3𝑚- 𝑅H2 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙 3𝑚2 𝑔
⇒ 𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑥 = − I 𝑥=− 𝑥
𝑟H 𝑟H
Thus the oscillation frequency is
-
3𝑚2 𝑔 3𝑚2 𝑔 𝑚2 𝑔 n
𝜔= =
𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑟H 𝑚- + 𝑚2 𝑚- 𝑅H 𝑉H2 sin2 𝜙
2
4. Consider a solid cylinder of mass 𝑚 and radius 𝑟 sliding without rolling down the smooth inclined
face of a wedge of mass 𝑀 that is free to move on a horizontal plane without friction. Let 𝜉 be the
distance of the center of mass of the cylinder from its initial position measured with respect to the
wedge and 𝑥 be the horizontal coordinate of the center of mass of the wedge. Initially, we have 𝑥 =
𝜉 = 0.
(a) How far has the wedge moved by the time the cylinder has descended from rest to a vertical distance
ℎ?
(b) Now suppose that the cylinder is free to roll down the wedge without slipping. How far does the
wedge move in this case?
(c) Calculate the time taken for the cylinder to reach the bottom in both cases. In which case does the
cylinder reach the bottom faster?

! '

#
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ℎ
×
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"
"

Solution:
(a) The horizontal component of the velocity of the cylinder in the lab frame is 𝑥 − 𝜉 cos 𝜃. As the
total momentum of the system in the x direction is conserved, we have
𝑀𝑥 + 𝑚 𝑥 − 𝜉 cos 𝜃 = 0
⇒ 𝑀 + 𝑚 𝑥 = 𝑚𝜉 cos 𝜃
Integration of the above equations gives (Given that 𝜉 = 𝑥 = 0 at 𝑡 = 0)
𝑀 + 𝑚 𝑥 = 𝑚𝜉 cos 𝜃
.
When the cylinder has descended a vertical distance ℎ, it has moved a distance 𝜉 = , and the wedge
[\] q
moved a distance
𝑚𝜉 𝑚ℎ
𝑥= cos 𝜃 = cot 𝜃
𝑀+𝑚 𝑀+𝑚

(b) If the cylinder is allowed to roll, conservation of the horizontal component of the total linear
momentum of the system still holds. And the result will be the same as in part (a).

(c) Conservation of the total mechanical energy of the system holds for both cases. As the center of
mass of the cylinder has velocity (𝑥 − 𝜉 cos 𝜃 , −𝜉 sin 𝜃) and that of the wedge has velocity (𝑥, 0), we
have for the sliding cylinder
1 2 2 1
𝑚 𝑥s − 𝜉s cos 𝜃 + 𝜉s sin2 𝜃 + 𝑀𝑥s 2 = 𝑚𝑔𝜉s sin 𝜃
2 2
For the rolling cylinder, we have
1 2 2 1 2 1
𝑚 𝑥_𝑟 − 𝜉_ cos 𝜃 + 𝜉_ sin2 𝜃 + 𝐼𝜙_ + 𝑀𝑥_ 2 = 𝑚𝑔𝜉_ sin 𝜃
2 2 2
- 2 u
where 𝐼 = 𝑚𝑟 , 𝜙 = for the rolling without sliding. As
2 _
𝑚
𝑥= 𝜉 cos 𝜃
𝑀+𝑚
The equations reduce
𝑚 2
𝑀 + 𝑚 sin2 𝜃 𝜉s = 𝑚𝑔𝜉s sin 𝜃 ⇒ 𝜉s = 𝑏s 𝜉s
2 𝑀+𝑚
𝑚 2
3𝑀 + 𝑚(1 + 2 sin2 𝜃) 𝜉_ = 𝑚𝑔𝜉_ sin 𝜃 ⇒ 𝜉s = 𝑏_ 𝜉_
4 𝑀+𝑚
These equations have the form 𝜉 = 𝑏 𝜉. As 𝜉 = 0 at 𝑡 = 0, integration gives
2
𝑡= 𝜉
𝑏
. -
Hence for the same 𝜉 = , 𝑡 ∝ . Since 𝑏_ < 𝑏s , we have 𝑡_ > 𝑡s . The sliding cylinder will take a
[\] q x
short time to reach the bottom.

5. Cylindrical Buoy (浮標)

(a) A buoy consists of a solid cylinder, radius 𝑎, length 𝑙, made of lightweight material of uniform
density 𝑑 with a uniform rigid rod protruding directly outwards from the bottom halfway along the
length. The mass of the rod is equal to that of the cylinder, its length is the same as the diameter of
the cylinder and the density of the rod is greater than that of seawater. This buoy is floating in sea-
water ofTheoretical
density 𝜌. 3
Question
Cylindrical Buoy
(a) (3 marks)

In equilibrium, derive an expression relating the floating angle 𝛽, as drawn, to 𝑑/𝜌. Neglect the
A buoy consists of a solid cylinder, radius a, length l, made of lightweight material of uniform
density d with a uniform rigid rod protruding directly outwards from the bottom halfway along the
length. The mass of the rod is equal to that of the cylinder, its length is the same as the diameter
of the cylinder and the density of the rod is greater than that of seawater. This buoy is floating in

volume of the rod.sea-water of density ρ.

In equilibrium derive an expression relating the floating angle α, as drawn, to d/ρ. Neglect the
volume of the rod.

a a
α α

( (
) )
(b) (4 marks)
If the buoy, due to some perturbation, is depressed vertically by a small amount z, it will experience
a nett force, which will cause it to begin oscillating vertically about the equilibtium floating position.
Determine the frequencty of this vertical mode of vibration in terms of α, g and a, where g is the
acceleration due to gravity. Assume the influence of water motion on the dynamics of the buoy is
such as to increase the effective mass of the buoy by a factor of one third. You may assume that α
is not small.

2(
z

(b) If the buoy, due to some perturbation, is depressed vertically by a small amount 𝑧, it will
(c) (8 marks)
In the approximation that the cylinder swings about its horizontal central axis, determine the
frequency of swing again in terms of g and a. Neglect the dynamics and viscosity of the water in

experience a net force, which will cause it to begin oscillating vertically about the equilibrium
this case. The angle of swing is assumed to be small.

floating position. Determine the angular frequency of this vertical mode of vibration in terms of 𝛽, 𝑔
Theoretical Question 3
Cylindrical Buoy

and 𝑎, where 𝑔 is the acceleration due to gravity. Assume the influence of water motion on the
(a) (3 marks)
A buoy consists of a solid cylinder, radius a, length l, made of lightweight material of uniform

dynamics of the buoy is such as to increase the effective mass of the buoy by a factor on one-third.
density d with a uniform rigid rod protruding directly outwards from the bottom halfway along the
θ cylinder, its length is the same as the diameter
length. The mass of the rod is equal to that of the
of the cylinder and the density of the rod is greater than that of seawater. This buoy is floating in

You may assume that 𝛽 is NOT small.

sea-water of density ρ.
In equilibrium derive an expression relating the floating angle α, as drawn, to d/ρ. Neglect the
volume of the rod.

a a
α α

+
(b) (4 marks)
If the buoy, due to some perturbation, is depressed vertically by a small amount z, it will experience
a nett force, which will cause it to begin oscillating vertically about the equilibtium floating position.
Determine the frequencty of this vertical mode of vibration in terms of α, g and a, where g is the
acceleration due to gravity. Assume the influence of water motion on the dynamics of the buoy is
such as to increase the effective mass of the buoy by a factor of one third. You may assume that α
is not small.

(c) (8 marks)
In the approximation that the cylinder swings about its horizontal central axis, determine the
frequency of swing again in terms of g and a. Neglect the dynamics and viscosity of the water in
this case. The angle of swing is assumed to be small.

θ
 a a
α α

(b) (4 marks)
If the buoy, due to some perturbation, is depressed vertically by a small amount z, it will experience
a nett force, which will cause it to begin oscillating vertically about the equilibtium floating position.
Determine the frequencty of this vertical mode of vibration in terms of α, g and a, where g is the
acceleration due to gravity. Assume the influence of water motion on the dynamics of the buoy is
such as to increase the effective mass of the buoy by a factor of one third. You may assume that α

(c) In the approximation that the cylinder swings about its horizontal central axis, determine the
is not small.

angular frequency of swing again in terms of 𝑔 and 𝑎. Neglect the dynamics and viscosity of the
z

water in this case. The angle of swing is assumed to be small.

(c) (8 marks)
In the approximation that the cylinder swings about its horizontal central axis, determine the
frequency of swing again in terms of g and a. Neglect the dynamics and viscosity of the water in
this case. The angle of swing is assumed to be small.

Solution:
(a) The volume of the displaced water is
𝑉 = 𝑎2 𝑙𝛽 − 𝑎2 𝑙 cos 𝛽 sin 𝛽
By Archimedes’ principle, the mass of the buoy equals the mass of displaced water. Therefore,
𝑎2 𝑙𝛽 − 𝑎2 𝑙 cos 𝛽 sin 𝛽 𝜌 = 2𝑑(𝜋𝑎2 𝑙)
𝑑
⇒ 𝛽 − cos 𝛽 sin 𝛽 = 2𝜋
𝜌

(b) If the cylinder is depressed by a small distance 𝑧 vertically from equilibrium, the net upward
force is the weight of the extra water displaced, i.e. 𝑔𝜌2𝑎𝑙𝑧 sin 𝛽, directed oppositely to 𝑧.
2𝑀
2𝑀 + 𝑧 = −(2𝜌𝑔𝑙𝑎 sin 𝛽)𝑧
3
3 𝜌𝑔𝑙𝑎 sin 𝛽 3𝜌𝑔 sin 𝛽
⇒𝑧=− 𝑧=− 𝑧
4 𝑀 4𝜋𝑑𝑎
3𝜌𝑔 sin 𝛽 3𝑔 sin 𝛽
⇒𝜔= =
4𝜋𝑑𝑎 2𝑎(𝛽 − cos 𝛽 sin 𝛽)
(c) The key idea is that the center of the swinging motion is just the center of the cylinder.
The moment of inertia of the cylinder w.r.t. the center is
1
𝐼H = 𝑀𝑎2
2
And the moment of inertia of the rod w.r.t. the cylinder center is
1 13
𝐼- = 𝑀𝑎2 + 𝑀 2𝑎 2 = 𝑀𝑎2
3 3
The total moment of inertia of the buoy is
29
𝐼 = 𝐼H + 𝐼- = 𝑀𝑎2
6

Since the center of mass of the buoy is at the point where the rod touches the cylinder, we have
𝐼𝜃 = −2𝑀𝑔𝑎 sin 𝜃 ≈ −2𝑀𝑔𝑎𝜃
2𝑀𝑔𝑎 12𝑔
⇒𝜔= =
𝐼 29𝑎