A solid sphere with uniform density and radius R is rotating initially with constant angular velocity (ω₁) about its diameter. After some time during the rotation its starts loosing mass at a uniform rate, with no change in its shape. The angular velocity of the sphere when its radius becomes R / 2 is xω₁. The value of x is ________.

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 32 to 32 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Conservation of Angular Momentum (since no external torque acts):

I₁ ω₁ = I₂ ω₂

For a solid sphere, moment of inertia is:

I = (2)/(5)MR²

Mass scales with volume: M ∝ R³

Core Logic

When the radius reduces to R₂ = (R)/(2), the mass scales cubically:

M₂ = M₁ ((R/2)/(R))³ = (M₁)/(8)

Now, compute the new moment of inertia I₂:

I₂ = (2)/(5) M₂ R₂² = (2)/(5) ((M₁)/(8)) ((R)/(2))² = (2)/(5) M₁ R² × (1)/(32) = (I₁)/(32)
Step 1: Compute Final Angular Velocity

Using conservation of angular momentum:

I₁ ω₁ = ((I₁)/(32)) ω₂ ω₂ = 32 ω₁

Hence, the value of x is 32.

Pattern Recognition

Since inertia of a solid sphere scales with M R² and M ∝ R³, the net moment of inertia scales with R⁵. Shrinking the radius by half (1/2) cuts down inertia by a factor of (1/2)⁵ = 1/32. Velocity must scale up by 32 to conserve momentum.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Rotational Motion

Reference Study Guides

More Rotational Motion Previous-Year Questions — Page 5

Q jee_main_2025_02_april_evening Torque and Moment of Inertia
A wheel of radius 0.2 ~m rotates freely about its center when a string that is wrapped over its rim is pulled by force of 10 ~N as shown in figure. The established torque produces an angular acceleration of 2 rad / s² . Moment of inertia of the wheel is ________ kg m² . (Acceleration due to gravity = 10m / s²)
Circular wheel being pulled by a tangential force string
The diagram displays a circular wheel rotating about its center under a tangential pulling force of 10 N.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 1 to 1

Solution

Related Formula
  • Torque (τ) produced by a tangential pulling force:
τ = F · R
  • Newton's second law for rotation:
τ = I · α
Core Logic

We are given:

  • Radius of the wheel R = 0.2 m
  • Applied force F = 10 N
  • Angular acceleration α = 2 rad/s²
Step 1: Calculate torque and moment of inertia

First, find the torque τ:

τ = F · R = 10 N × 0.2 m = 2 N · m

Next, calculate the moment of inertia I using τ = Iα:

I = (τ)/(α) = 2 N · m2 rad/s² = 1 kg · m²

Thus, the moment of inertia is 1 ~kg· m².

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Pulley/wheel torque with basic rotational dynamics. Trap: Attempting to integrate gravity (g = 10 m/s²) into mass equations. Gravity is a redundant distractor here because the pulling tension force is explicitly defined! Shortcut: Directly compute torque as τ = F R and divide by the angular acceleration α.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Q3 jee_main_2025_02_april_evening Moment of Inertia of Ring
The moment of inertia of a circular ring of mass M and diameter r about a tangential axis lying in the plane of the ring is:
  • A. (1)/(2) M r²
  • B. (3)/(8) M r²
  • C. (3)/(2) M r²
  • D. 2 M r²

Solution

Related Formula
  • Moment of inertia of a circular ring of mass M and radius R about a diametrical axis in its plane:
Idia = (1)/(2) M R²
  • Parallel Axis Theorem:
I = Icm + M d²

where d is the perpendicular distance between the center of mass axis and the parallel axis.

Core Logic

The axis of rotation is tangential and lies in the plane of the ring. Thus, the distance from the center of mass axis (which is also diametrical and in-plane) is equal to the radius R.

Using the parallel axis theorem:

Itangent = Idia + M R² = (1)/(2) M R² + M R² = (3)/(2) M R²
Step 1: Express in terms of diameter r

The question specifies the diameter of the ring is r. Therefore, the radius R is:

R = (r)/(2)

Substitute R = (r)/(2) into the moment of inertia formula:

Itangent = (3)/(2) M ((r)/(2))² = (3)/(8) M r²

Thus, the moment of inertia is (3)/(8) M r².

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Circular ring tangential axis in-plane. Trap: Directly using radius r instead of diameter r. Read variables carefully: often r is radius, but here it is explicitly given as diameter! Shortcut: Standard in-plane tangent is (3)/(2)MR². Substitute R = (r)/(2) to get (3)/(8)Mr².

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Q jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Moment of Inertia and Torque
A square Lamina OABC of length 10~cm is pivoted at 'O'. Forces act on the Lamina as shown in the figure. If the Lamina remains stationary, then the magnitude of F is:
Square lamina pivoted at O diagram for Q13
A square lamina OABC with multiple force vectors acting on its vertices, pivoted at O.
  • A. 20~N
  • B. 0 (zero)
  • C. 10~N
  • D. 10√(2)~N

Solution

Related Formula
τO = F · r⊥ Σ τO = 0 (for rotational equilibrium)
Core Logic

Let the side length of the square lamina be l = 10~cm. The lamina is pivoted at point O(0,0) and remains stationary under rotational equilibrium. Therefore, the net torque about O must be zero.

Evaluating torque contributions about point O:

  • Forces acting directly at pivot O produce zero torque.
  • Forces whose lines of action pass through O produce zero torque.
  • The 10~N force perpendicular to side OA produces torque:
τ₁ = 10 × l (Counter-Clockwise)
  • The unknown force F acting perpendicular to side OC produces torque:
τ₂ = F × l (Clockwise)

Setting Σ τO = 0:

10 · l - F · l = 0 F = 10~N
Step 1: Final Conclusion

The magnitude of the force F is 10~N.

Pattern Recognition

In pivoted laminas, focus on the pivot and disregard any force vector whose line of action passes through the pivot. For symmetric placements, equate Clockwise torque = Counter-Clockwise torque directly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Rotational Motion

Q3 jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Moment of Inertia and Torque
A cord of negligible mass is wound around the rim of a wheel supported by spokes with negligible mass. The mass of wheel is 10~kg and radius is 10~cm and it can freely rotate without any friction. Initially the wheel is at rest. If a steady pull of 20~N is applied on the cord, the angular velocity of the wheel, after the cord is unwound by 1~m, would be:
Wheel diagram for Q3 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
A wheel rotating with a pull force of 20 N acting on the cord.
  • A. 20~rad/s
  • B. 30~rad/s
  • C. 10~rad/s
  • D. 0~rad/s

Solution

Related Formula

WF = F · s

KR = (1)/(2) I ω² I = M R² (Moment of inertia of a ring/rim)
Core Logic

The work done by the constant pulling force F = 20~N through distance s = 1~m is completely converted into the rotational kinetic energy of the wheel.

Work done by force:

WF = F · s = 20 × 1 = 20~J

Since the spokes are of negligible mass, all mass M = 10~kg is distributed on the outer rim of radius R = 10~cm = 0.1~m. The wheel acts as a thin ring:

I = M R² = 10 × (0.1)² = 0.1~kg· m²

Using the work-energy theorem:

WF = Δ KR = (1)/(2) I ω² 20 = (1)/(2) × 0.1 × ω² 40 = 0.1 ω² ω² = 400 ω = 20~rad/s
Step 1: Final Conclusion

The angular velocity of the wheel after the cord is unwound by 1~m is 20~rad/s.

Pattern Recognition

Work done in unwinding a string is F · s. Under pure rotation with zero friction, this is exactly (1)/(2) I ω². Always identify the mass distribution (here, rim with massless spokes acts as a thin cylinder/ring I = MR²).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Rotational Motion Class 11 Physics: Work, Energy and Power

Q16 jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Moment of Inertia and Torque
Moment of inertia of a rod of mass 'M' and length 'L' about an axis passing through its center and normal to its length is 'α'. Now the rod is cut into two equal parts and these parts are joined symmetrically to form a cross shape. Moment of inertia of cross about an axis passing through its center and normal to plane containing cross is:
  • A. α
  • B. α / 4
  • C. α / 8
  • D. α / 2

Solution

Related Formula
I = (1)/(12) M L²
Core Logic

Initially, the moment of inertia is:

α = (M L²)/(12)

When cut into two equal parts, each smaller rod has:

  • Mass, m = (M)/(2)
  • Length, l = (L)/(2)
  • When joined symmetrically as a cross, the target axis passes through their joint intersection perpendicular to their plane. For each rod, this axis passes through its individual center of mass and is perpendicular to its length.

    Thus, the total moment of inertia of the cross is the sum of the moments of inertia of the two rods:

Icross = I₁ + I₂ = 2 × ((1)/(12) m l²) = (1)/(6) m l²

Substituting m = (M)/(2) and l = (L)/(2):

Icross = (1)/(6) × ((M)/(2)) × ((L)/(2))² = (1)/(6) × (M)/(2) × (L²)/(4) = (M L²)/(48)

Comparing with α:

Icross = (1)/(4) ((M L²)/(12)) = (α)/(4)
Step 1: Final Conclusion

The moment of inertia of the cross is

Step 1: Final Conclusion

The moment of inertia of the cross is $\alpha / 4.

Pattern Recognition

Since mass scales linearly (

Pattern Recognition

Since mass scales linearly ($M \propto L), cutting a rod intonequal segments scales the length by1/nand mass by1/n. The moment of inertia of each segment scales as1/n^3. Reassemblingnsegments linearly sums their contributions, so the final moment of inertia scales asn \times \frac{1}{n^3} = \frac{1}{n^2}$.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Rotational Motion

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