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System of Particles and Rotational Motion appeared 57 times across 3 years — 6.6% of Physics. This question is from Moment of Inertia.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 19 27 11 57

Two iron solid discs of negligible thickness have radii R₁ and R₂ and moment of inertia I₁ and I₂ , respectively. For R₂ = 2R₁ , the ratio of I₁ and I₂ would be 1 / x , where x =

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 16 to 16 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

Since mass scales with the face surface area for discs of identical thickness and material composition:

M = σ · π R² M ∝ R²

Disk mass allocation scaling profile diagram for Q24
Disk mass allocation scaling profile diagram for Q24

Disk mass allocation scaling profile diagram for Q24
Disk mass allocation scaling profile diagram for Q24

M₁ = M₀, M₂ = σ π (2R₁)² = 4M₀

The moment of inertia formula for a disc is:

mathrmI = (1)/(2)MR² I ∝ MR² ∝ R⁴

Calculating the ratio for the given radii configuration:

I₁I₂ = M₁ R₁²M₂ R₂² = M₀ · R₁²4M₀ · (2R₁)² = (1)/(16)
Step 1: Value Convergence

Comparing this fraction to 1/x yields:

x = 16

Pattern Recognition

For 2D uniform laminar objects, scaling the radius changes both the mass factor (by R²) and the distribution distance (by R²), resulting in an overall R⁴ dependency rule.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Reference Study Guides

More System of Particles and Rotational Motion Previous-Year Questions — Page 3

Q42 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Angular Momentum
Two small balls with masses m and 2m are attached to both ends of a rigid rod of length d and negligible mass. If angular momentum of this system is L about an axis (A) passing through its centre of mass and perpendicular to the rod then angular velocity of the system about A is:
  • A. (3)/(2) Lmd²
  • B. 2Lmd²
  • C. (4)/(3) Lmd²
  • D. 2L5md²

Solution

Related Formula
rcm = m₁r₁ + m₂r₂m₁ + m₂ Icm = μ d² = ( m₁m₂m₁ + m₂)d²

L = Iω

Step 1: Calculate Moment of Inertia about COM

Let mass m be at the origin. Position of 2m is d.

Xcm = (m(0) + 2m(d))/(m + 2m) = (2d)/(3)

Distance of mass m from COM is (2d)/(3). Distance of mass 2m from COM is d - (2d)/(3) = (d)/(3).

I = m((2d)/(3))² + 2m((d)/(3))² I = 4md²9 + 2md²9 = 6md²9 = 2md²3
Step 2: Calculate Angular Velocity

L = Iω

ω = (L)/(I) ω = L 2md²3 = 3L2md²
Pattern Recognition

Sees: "two point masses" + "rotation about COM" → Quickly use reduced mass μ moment of inertia shortcut: Icm = μ d² = ((m · 2m)/(3m))d² = (2)/(3)md² to save time.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Systems of Particles and Rotational Motion

Q49 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Moment of Inertia
Suppose there is a uniform circular disc of mass M kg and radius r m shown in figure. The shaded regions are cut out from the disc. The moment of inertia of the remainder about the axis A of the disc is given by (x)/(256) Mr ² . The value of x is ____.
Moment of Inertia diagram for Q49 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Diagram showing a large circular disc with two smaller circular sections removed.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 109 to 109

Solution

Related Formula
Iremaining = Itotal - Σ Icut

Parallel axis theorem: I = Icm + md²

Core Logic

Total mass of original disc is M = σ π r². Two identical smaller discs are removed. From the diagram, each small cut-out disc has radius r' = (r)/(4). The center of each cut-out disc is at distance d = (3)/(4)r from the main axis A. Mass of each cut-out disc:

m = σ π ((r)/(4))² = (σ π r²)/(16) = (M)/(16)
Step 1: Moment of Inertia of Total Disc

For the main solid disc about its central axis A:

Itotal = (1)/(2) M r²
Step 2: Moment of Inertia of Cut-out Discs

Using parallel axis theorem for one cut-out disc about axis A:

Icut = (1)/(2) m (r')² + m d² Icut = (1)/(2) m ((r)/(4))² + m ((3)/(4)r)² Icut = (mr²)/(32) + (9mr²)/(16) = m r² ( (1 + 18)/(32) ) = (19)/(32) m r²

Since there are 2 cut-out discs, the total subtracted inertia is:

Iremoved = 2 × (19)/(32) m r² = (19)/(16) m r²
Step 3: Calculate Final Inertia in Terms of M

Substitute m = (M)/(16):

Iremoved = (19)/(16) ( (M)/(16) ) r² = (19)/(256) M r²

Now, subtract from total:

Iremaining = (1)/(2) M r² - (19)/(256) M r² Iremaining = (128 - 19)/(256) M r² = (109)/(256) M r²

Thus, x = 109.

Pattern Recognition

In cavity problems, mass is strictly proportional to area (R²). Use parallel axis theorem perfectly on the 'negative mass' segments and subtract.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Q41 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Dynamics of Rotational Motion
Two masses 400 g and 350 g are suspended from the ends of a light string passing over a heavy pulley of radius 2 cm. When released from rest the heavier mass is observed to fall 81 cm in 9 s. The rotational inertia of the pulley is ____ kg ². (g = 9.8 m/s²)
  • A. 9.5 × 10⁻³
  • B. 4.75 × 10⁻³
  • C. 1.86 × 10⁻²
  • D. 8.3 × 10⁻³

Solution

Related Formula
s = ut + (1)/(2)at² a = ((m₁ - m₂)g)/(m₁ + m₂ + (I)/(R²))
Core Logic

Atwood machine with a massive pulley
Atwood machine with a massive pulley

First, calculate the acceleration of the system using kinematics:

s = ut + (1)/(2)at² 0.81 = 0 + (1)/(2) a (9)² a = (2 × 0.81)/(81) = 0.02 m/s²

Applying Newton's second law for masses and rotation:

m₁ g - T₁ = m₁ a T₂ - m₂ g = m₂ a (T₁ - T₂)R = I · α = I ((a)/(R))

This leads to the standard Atwood machine acceleration with massive pulley:

a = ((m₁ - m₂)g)/(m₁ + m₂ + (I)/(R²))
Step 1: Calculate Moment of Inertia

Substitute known values (m₁=0.4 kg, m₂=0.35 kg, R=0.02 m):

0.02 = ((0.4 - 0.35) × 9.8)/((0.4 + 0.35) + (I)/(R²)) 0.02 = (0.05 × 9.8)/(0.75 + (I)/(R²)) 0.75 + (I)/(R²) = (0.49)/(0.02) = 24.5 (I)/(R²) = 24.5 - 0.75 = 23.75 I = 23.75 × (0.02)² = 23.75 × 4 × 10⁻⁴ I = 95 × 10⁻⁴ = 9.5 × 10⁻³ kg ²
Pattern Recognition

For massive pulley problems, the "effective mass" of the system increases by the pulley's equivalent translating mass I/R². Simply use a = Fₙₑₜ / Meffective.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion Class 11 Physics: Laws of Motion

Q31 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Rigid Body Rotation and Energy Conservation
A thin uniform rod (X) of mass M and length L is pivoted at a height ((L)/(3)) as shown in the figure. The rod is allowed to fall from a vertical position and lie horizontally on the table. The angular velocity of this rod when it hits the table top, is ____. (g = gravitational acceleration)
Rigid Body Rotation and Energy Conservation diagram for Q31 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
A uniform rod is pivoted at a distance of L/3 from the table surface and falls from a vertical position to horizontal.
  • A. (3)/(2) gL
  • B. 3√(2) gL
  • C. 1√(2) gL
  • D. 3gL

Solution

Related Formula
Δ K.E. = Δ P.E. mg Δ hcom = (1)/(2) I ω²
Core Logic

The rod falls such that its center of mass lowers by a distance. The rod is pivoted at (L)/(3) from the bottom, meaning the distance from the pivot to the center of mass (which is at (L)/(2) from either end) is:

hcom = (L)/(2) - (L)/(3) = (L)/(6)
Step 1: Moment of Inertia

Using the parallel axis theorem, the moment of inertia about the pivot is:

I = Icom + m d² I = (mL²)/(12) + m((L)/(6))² = (mL²)/(12) + (mL²)/(36) = (mL²)/(9)
Step 2: Energy Conservation

Equating the loss in potential energy to the gain in rotational kinetic energy:

mg (L)/(6) = (1)/(2) ((mL²)/(9)) ω² mg (L)/(6) = (mL²)/(18) ω² ω² = (3g)/(L) ω = √((3g)/(L))
Pattern Recognition

For a hinged rod falling from a vertical orientation to horizontal, always track the displacement of the center of mass and calculate rotational inertia strictly about the hinge using Ipivot = Icm + md².

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Q49 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Moment of Inertia of Continuous Bodies
A uniform solid cylinder of length L and radius R has moment of inertia about its axis equal to I₁ . A small co-centric cylinder of length L/2 and radius R/3 carved from this cylinder has moment of inertia about its axis equals to I₂ . The ratio I₁/I₂ is
Numerical Answer. Answer: 162 to 162

Solution

Related Formula
I = (1)/(2) M R² M = ρ · V = ρ · π R² L
Core Logic

Moment of Inertia of Continuous Bodies diagram for Q49 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Moment of Inertia of Continuous Bodies diagram for Q49 - JEE Main 2026 Evening

For the original cylinder (mass M):

I₁ = (1)/(2) M R²

For the carved cylinder, its mass m is:

m = ρ × π ((R)/(3))² × (L)/(2)
Step 1: Calculate Mass of Carved Cylinder
m = (ρ π R² L)/(18) = (M)/(18)
Step 2: Calculate Inertia of Carved Cylinder
I₂ = (1)/(2) m ((R)/(3))² I₂ = (1)/(2) ( (M)/(18) ) ( (R²)/(9) ) I₂ = (1)/(324) M R²
Step 3: Finding the Ratio
(I₁)/(I₂) = ((1)/(2) M R²)/((1)/(324) M R²) = (324)/(2) = 162
Pattern Recognition

For similar geometries, mass scales as R² L. Inertia scales as M R² which ultimately means I ∝ R⁴ L. Here R arrow R/3 (factor of 1/81) and L arrow L/2 (factor of 1/2), so I₂ is 1/162 of I₁.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

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