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System of Particles and Rotational Motion appeared 58 times across 3 years — 6.7% of Physics. This question is from Kinetic Energy of Multi-Particle Systems.

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Questions 20 27 11 58

Given below are two statements : Statement I : For a mechanical system of many particles total kinetic energy is the sum of kinetic energies of all the particles. Statement II : The total kinetic energy can be the sum of kinetic energy of the center of mass w.r.t. to the origin and the kinetic energy of all the particles w.r.t. the center of mass as the reference. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
Ktotal = Σ (1)/(2) mᵢ vᵢ² Ktotal = (1)/(2) Mtotal vcm² + Krel, cm
Core Logic

Evaluating Statement I: By definition, total kinetic energy of a discrete system of particles is scalar sum of kinetic energies of individual particles: KE = Σ (1)/(2)mᵢ vᵢ². Statement I is true.

Evaluating Statement II: According to König's theorem, total kinetic energy breaks down into kinetic energy of COM translation plus internal kinetic energy relative to COM:

KE = (1)/(2)(m₁+m₂) vcm² + (1)/(2) (m₁ m₂)/(m₁+m₂) | v₁ - v₂|²

Statement II is also true.

Step 1: Final Conclusion

Both Statement I and Statement II are true.

Pattern Recognition

König's Theorem for system of particles: Ktotal = Kcm + Kw.r.t cm. Both definitions represent valid expressions for mechanical energy.

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 4

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

Q29 jee_main_2026_28_january_morning Moment of Inertia and Torque
Two circular discs of radius each 10 cm are joined at their centres by a rod of length 30 cm and mass 600 gm as shown in figure.
Moment of inertia diagram with rod and discs for Q29 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Illustration showing two discs connected by a rod rotating about axis AB.
If the mass of each disc is 600 gm and applied torque between two discs is 43 × 10⁵ ~dyne· cm, the angular acceleration of the discs about the given axis AB is ____ rad/s² .
  • A. 22
  • B. 11
  • C. 100
  • D. 27

Solution

Related Formula

τ = I α where τ is the torque, I is the moment of inertia about the axis of rotation, and α is the angular acceleration.

Core Logic

First, calculate the total moment of inertia of the system (two discs + one rod) about axis AB using the parallel axis theorem. Let m = 600 ~gm and R = 10 ~cm.

Step 1: Moment of Inertia of Discs

For the left disc (distance R from AB):

Ileft = (1)/(4)mR² + mR² = (5)/(4)mR²

For the right disc (distance 2R from AB):

Iright = (1)/(4)mR² + m(2R)² = (17)/(4)mR²

Total for discs:

Idiscs = (5)/(4)mR² + (17)/(4)mR² = (22)/(4)mR² = (11)/(2)mR²
Step 2: Moment of Inertia of Rod

Rod has mass m and length 3R = 30 ~cm. Its center of mass is at a distance R/2 from axis AB.

Irod = (m(3R)²)/(12) + m((R)/(2))² = (9mR²)/(12) + (mR²)/(4) = (3)/(4)mR² + (1)/(4)mR² = mR²
Step 3: Total Moment of Inertia
Itotal = ((11)/(2) + 1) mR² = (13)/(2) mR²

Substitute m = 600 ~g and R = 10 ~cm:

Itotal = (13)/(2) × 600 × (10)² = 39 × 10⁴ ~g · cm²
Step 4: Calculating Angular Acceleration
α = (τ)/(I) = (43 × 10⁵)/(39 × 10⁴) ~rad/s² = (430)/(39) ≈ 11.02 ~rad/s²

Rounding off, α ≈ 11 ~rad/s².

Pattern Recognition

In compound systems, decompose into basic shapes (rod, disc). Determine the parallel distance to the required axis for each center of mass. Keep everything in CGS units since torque is given in dyne-cm.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Q48 jee_main_2026_28_january_morning Radius of Gyration
A solid sphere of radius 10 cm is rotating about an axis which is at a distance 15 cm from its centre. The radius of gyration about this axis is √(n) cm. The value of n is ____
Numerical Answer. Answer: 265 to 265

Solution

Related Formula
I = Icm + md²

I = mk²

Icm (solid sphere) = (2)/(5)mR²
Core Logic

Use the parallel axis theorem to find the moment of inertia about the new axis, then equate it to mk² to find the radius of gyration.

Step 1: Applying Parallel Axis Theorem

As per the given solution steps:

mk² = (2)/(3)mR² + md² k² = (2)/(3)R² + d²
Step 2: Substituting Values

Given R = 10 ~cm and d = 15 ~cm:

k² = (2)/(3)(10)² + (15)² k² = (200)/(3) + 225 k² = (2)/(5)R² + d² k² = (2)/(5)(10)² + (15)² k² = 40 + 225 = 265
Step 3: Final Answer

We are given k = √(n) ⇒ k² = n. n = 265

Pattern Recognition

Whenever radius of gyration is asked, divide out the mass immediately. k² = Icm-factor R² + d².

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Q37 jee_main_2026_28_january_evening Cross Product and Vector Reversal
When the position vector r=x i+y j+z k changes sign as - r , which one of the following vector will not flip under sign change?
  • A. Linear momentum
  • B. Velocity
  • C. Acceleration
  • D. Angular momentum

Solution

Related Formula
v = d rdt p = m v a = d vdt L = r × p
Core Logic

Under a sign change of coordinates (parity transformation or spatial inversion) r arrow - r. Then, velocity v = d rdt arrow - v. Linear momentum p = m v arrow - p. Acceleration a = d vdt arrow - a.

Angular momentum L = r × p. Under the transformation: L' = (- r) × (- p) = r × p = L.

Step 1: Final Conclusion

Since both position and momentum vectors change sign, their cross product (angular momentum) retains its original sign. It does not flip.

Pattern Recognition

Angular momentum is a pseudovector (or axial vector). True vectors (polar vectors) flip signs under spatial inversion, but pseudovectors (which are cross products of two polar vectors) do not.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Systems of Particles and Rotational Motion

Q50 jee_main_2026_28_january_evening Rotation about Fixed Axis
A fly wheel having mass 3 kg and radius 5 m is free to rotate about a horizontal axis. A string having negligible mass is wound around the wheel and the loose end of the string is connected to a 3 kg mass. The mass is kept at rest initially and released. Kinetic energy of the wheel when the mass descends by 3 m is ____ J. (g = 10 m/s² )
Numerical Answer. Answer: 30 to 30

Solution

Related Formula
Δ K.E. + Δ P.E. = 0 Kwheel = (1)/(2) I ω² Idisc = (m R²)/(2)
Core Logic

Solution for Rotation about Fixed Axis
Solution for Rotation about Fixed Axis
By conservation of mechanical energy, the loss in gravitational potential energy of the descending mass equals the gain in kinetic energy of the block and the rotational kinetic energy of the flywheel.

mg h = (1)/(2) I ω² + (1)/(2) m v²
Step 1: Relate Velocity and Angular Velocity

Since the string does not slip, the linear velocity v of the mass is related to the angular velocity ω of the wheel by:

v = ω R ⇒ ω = (v)/(R)
Step 2: Energy Conservation

The flywheel is treated as a solid disc/cylinder (from the I = mR²/2 usage in the solution):

mg h = (1)/(2) ((M R²)/(2)) ω² + (1)/(2) m v²

Given M = 3 kg (wheel), m = 3 kg (block), h = 3 m. Notice that the solution text specifies the flywheel mass as m and block mass also as m, both being 3 kg. Let's follow the PDF exactly:

mg × 3 = (1)/(2) ((m R²)/(2)) ω² + (1)/(2) m v²
Step 3: Solve for Velocity Squared

Substitute ω R = v:

mg × 3 = (1)/(4) m v² + (1)/(2) m v² 3mg = (3)/(4) m v² v² = 4g = 4 × 10 = 40 (m/s)²
Step 4: Calculate Kinetic Energy of Flywheel
K.E.wheel = (1)/(2) I ω² = (1)/(4) m v² K.E.wheel = (1)/(4) × 3 × 40 = 30 J
Pattern Recognition

For a mass pulling a wheel of identical mass (disc), the total K.E. is split between translational (1/2 mv²) and rotational (1/4 mv²). Rotational gets exactly 1/3 of the total potential energy lost, 30 J out of 90 J total.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Systems of Particles and Rotational Motion Class 11 Physics: Work, Energy and Power

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