MECHANICS UNIT 1

1. A particle is taken from point A to C along the path ABC, AB is the straight line
passing through origin whereas BC is a circular arc with centre of circle at origin.
 
xi + y j 
A force F = k  , where k is a positive constant, is applied on particle
 ( x 2 + y2 )3/2 
 
k
from A → B → C . If work done by force F is of the form W = , then the value
L
of  will be? Take OA = AB = L
y
C

B
A L
L
 x
O
3L
2

Ans: 2

2. A particle of mass ‘m’ moves along the quarter section of the circular path whose
centre is the origin. The radius of the circular path is ‘a’. A force F = yiˆ − xjˆ
Newton acts on the particle, where x, y denote the coordinates of position of the
particle. The work done by this force in taking the particle from point A (a, 0) to
a 2
point B (0, a) along the circular path is − Joule where x is a positive integer.
x
Find x.

Ans: 2
3. A bead slides along a frictionless wire lying on a horizontal plane from origin to
point P. Wire makes an angle of 450 with x-axis as shown in figure. In addition
to any normal forces exerted by the wire, the bead is subject to an external force
2 2
 x  y 
that depends on position according to formula F = F0   iˆ + F0   ˆj
 x0   y0 

Find the work done by the force F (in J) on bead till it reaches at end P of the
wire. (Given data : F0 = 1 N, x0 =6m, mass of bead = 2 kg)
Ans: 4

4. A bob of mass m = 4 kg is suspended from a massless string of length l. Other

3
end of the string is fixed from the ceiling. A horizontal force F = mg is
4
applied on the bob when it at rest at the lowest position. The maximum tension
(in Newton) in the string during the motion. is 10x. Then the value of x is (Take
g = 10 m / s 2 )

3mg
F=
4
Ans: 7
5. A particle is moving anticlockwise in a circle under influence of a force
F = éê( 2 x - y + 3z) iˆ +( x + y - z) ˆj +( 5x - 2 y - z) kˆ ù
ú N . Where x, y and z are in meter.
ë û
The circle lies in the xy plane with its centre at the origin and has a radius of 4 m.
The work done by the force as the particle completes one revolution in hecta
joule is (up to nearest integer)
Ans: 1

6. One end of an ideal spring of spring constant K is connected to the left of wall of
carriage which moves with constant velocity V2 towards left. Other end of the
spring is held by a person in the carriage. The person pulls the end B towards
right at a constant velocity V2 . Initially, the spring is unstretched and the system
is observed in the first ‘t’ second. During this interval, find

(i) work done by the spring on the carriage

(ii) Work done by the spring on the person
(iii) Net work done by the spring
(iv) solve the above question in a frame fixed to carriage

−kv2 ( v1 + v2 )t 2 −kv1( v1 + v2 )t 2 1
Ans: i) ii) iii) − k [( v1 + v2 )t ] 2
2 2 2
8. Which of the following is/are conservative force(s)?
5
(A) F = 2r 3 rˆ (B) F = − rˆ
r

(C) F =
( )
3 xiˆ + yjˆ
(D) F =
(
3 yiˆ + xjˆ )
( x 2 + y2 ) ( x 2 + y2 )
3/2 3/2

Key : A,B,C

14. In the figure shown a plate of mass 2m is at rest and in equilibrium. A particle of mass m
4.5mg
is released from height from upper surface of the plate; where k is spring
k
constant of the spring. The particle collides with the plate at time t = 0 and sticks to the
plate. If the time when the spring has
2 3m
m maximum compression is t = find
 k
4.5mg
k the value of  . Neglect the duration of
2m collision.

Ans: 3
18. A body of mass m is in a field where its potential energy is given by U = ax 3 + bx 4 ,
where a and b are positive constants. Then, [The body moves only along x]
A) x = 0 is a point of equilibrium
−3a
B) x = is a point of stable equilibrium
4b
−3a
C) x = is a point of unstable equilibrium
4b
D) for small displacements from stable equilibrium position the body executes SHM
3a
with angular frequency
2 bm

Key : A,B,D
10. Two blocks of masses m and M are kept on a fixed frictionless inclined plane as shown in figure.
The friction coefficient between the surface of block is  . The maximum force applied on block
of mass M, along the inclined plane upwards, so that both the blocks move together is 12x N.
Find the value of x (Take : m = 5kg, M=10kg,  = 0.8 ,  = 37 , g = 10m / s 2 )
o

Ans: 8

11. A straw of mass 1gram and length 4 cm lies on a smooth horizontal surface. A bug of mass
3 gram starts to move from one end of the straw. The coefficient of friction between straw and
n
the bug is  = 0.05 . The minimum time in which it can cross the straw length is sec onds.
10
Find the value of n.

Ans: 2
12. A light inextensible string wound over a cylindrical fixed horizontal steel rod as shown.
 1
Coefficient of friction between rod and string is   =  . Two blocks of masses m1 and m2 are
 
connected to two ends of string as shown. Number of turns of string on the rod can be counted
m1
from the figure. The ratio such that m2 starts moving up is e N , where N = ____
m2

m1 m2

ANS-5

13. A mass 40 kg is kept on a rough surface as shown. A person tries to pull this mass by attaching a
uniform string of mass 6kg. The mass 40 kg is about to move when the person pulls the top end
of string an angle 37 0 with horizontal while tangent at lower end of string is horizontal. If
N
coefficient of friction between mass and ground is , find N.
10

Ans: 2
5. System shown in figure is in equilibrium and at rest, springs, string and pullies are massless. Now
the string between pulley-1 and Block-C is cut. Given m A = 2mB
xxxxx
xxxx
xxx
xx
x
1

2
C
gravity B

(a*) 2mC = 3mD (b) 3mC = 2mD

(c) Just after cutting string acceleration of A,B and D is zero
(d*) Just after cutting a string, acceleration of pulley-3 is zero

10. Consider a system shown in figure, mA = mB = mC = mD = 2 kg . Friction is neglected

everywhere and the spring is initially unstretched. The system is released from rest. It is observed that,
at an instant when the vertical displacement of block B is 2m the block ‘D’ descends by 4m and the block
226
‘A’ moves towards right by 1m. Given that stiffness constant of the spring is k = N / m . Find the
9
(
total kinetic energy of the system at the same instant. Express your answer in joule g = 10 m / s 2 .)

Ans: 7
11. The blocks of masses m1 = 1kg and m 2 = 1kg are connected by a spring and rest on a
horizontal surface. The spring is unstretched initially. The spring constant of the spring is
1
k = 8N / m . The coefficient of friction between blocks and horizontal surface is  = . Now
2
the left block is imparted a velocity u towards right as shown in figure. Then what is the largest
value of u such that the block mass m 2 never moves.

Ans: 5
20. A spring is attached with a block of mass m and a fixed horizontal rod. The block is lying on a
smooth horizontal table and initially the spring is vertical and unstretched. Natural length of
spring is 3l0. A constant horizontal force F is applied on the block so that block moves in the
direction of force. When length of the spring becomes 5l 0 , block is about to leave the contact
mg mg
with the table. If initial and final velocity of block is zero, F = + . What is ‘N’?
4 N

Ans: 6
36. Consider a fixed hemispherical bowl of radius R with its opening horizontal. One end of a light
rod of length l = R is hinged at a point A on the brim of the bowl. A small bead of mass m is
attached at the other end the rod. Initially the bead is held at a point B also on the brim and
then released. Find the tensile force in the rod when the bead passes the lowest position.
Acceleration of free fall is g.

Ans: mg 3

1. An observer A is at rest in ground frame, observer B is moving with constant acceleration of

2 m / s 2 and another observer C is moving with constant velocity of 1 m/s. A constant force F =
2N is applied on the block of mass 1 kg. Comment on work on block of mass 1 kg.

A*) Net work done by all forces (both real and pseudo) in 1 sec. in frame of A is 2 J
B*) Net work done by all forces (both real and pseudo) in 1 sec. in frame of B is 0 J
C*) Net work done by all forces (both real and pseudo) in 2 sec. in frame of C is 4 J
D*) Change in kinetic energy in frame of C in 1 sec. is zero
2. Which of the following statements are correct regarding work energy theorem
A*) The work energy theorem is an invariant law of physics
B*) Work energy theorem is also applicable in non inertial frame of reference with modification
C) For the system of particles it is change in kinetic energy is equal to work done by external
forces.
D*) Work done by kinetic friction on a system of two blocks is always negative

18. A horizontal plane supports a plank with a block placed on it. A light elastic string is attached to
the block which is attached to a fixed point O. Initially the string is unstretched and vertical. The
plank is slowly shifted to right until the block starts sliding over it. It occurs at the moment when
the string deviates from vertical by an angle  . Work done by force F equals

a*) Energy lost against friction f1 plus strain energy in string

b*) Work done against total friction acting on the plank alone
c) Work done against total friction acting on plank plus strain
d*) work done against total friction acting on the plank plus the difference of strain energy in
the spring and work done by friction acting on the block.
5. A non uniform chain having linear mass density   =  0 sin  is placed on the cylinder of radius
R. Find the gravitational potential energy of the chain.

R

ref

gR 2
A*) U = 2gR 2 B) U = gR 2 C) U = 3gR 2 D) U =
2

35. A loop of light inextensible string passes over smooth small pulleys A and B. Two masses m and
M are attached to the points O and C respectively. Then the condition that m and M will cross
each other.
[Take AB = 2l and AC = AB = hl] will be

m  +1 m +3 m  +1
(A*) 2 − 1 (B) 2 − 1 (C)  +1 (D) none of
M +3 M  +1 M +3
these
 ONE OR MORE THAN ONE ANSWER TYPE
1. In both the cases shown in figure mass m1 is so chosen that
mass m2 which rests on smooth surface, is in equilibrium. (for
simplification we shall suppose that the pulley is sufficiently
far away, and that therefore the line of the rope from mass
m2 is parallel to the line of the tangent to the surface)
A) first case comes under unstable equilibrium condition
B) second case comes under stable equilibrium condition
C) first case comes under stable equilibrium condition
D) second case comes under unstable equilibrium condition 3. A small bead starts sliding down a rigid h
radius R and pitch is h. The motion of the bead is a combination of
horizontal motion and vertical motion. In one complete rotation , it
travels 2πR horizontal distance and h vertical distance . The total
distance travelled can be given by a right angled traiangle as shown
in figure. The height of the triangle is h.
Consider
Case-a: friction less helical wire frame
Case-b: bead slides down the helical wire frame with a constant speed v such that the turns in
the helix are tilted by angle θ with horizontal
Then identify the correct statements from the following:
2 H (4 2 R 2 + h2 )
a)if the total height descended by the bead is H, it takes a time in case-a
gh2
2 H (4 2 R 2 + h2 )
b)if the total height descended by the bead is H, it takes a time in case-b
gh2
Rg tan 
c) in case-b coefficient of kinetic friction between the wire and the bead is
g R 2 + v 4 cos 2 
2

d)in case-a, if the total height descended by the bead is H , the speed after descended by H is
2 ghH
(h2 + 4 2 R 2 )
24. Two observers ‘A’ and ‘B’ are moving with constant speeds V1 and V2 . ‘A’ is moving on the Y-axis
and ‘B’ on the circle. At t = 0 observer ‘A’ is at origin and ‘B’ is at opposite end of the diameter
joining observer ‘A’ as shown in the figure. Instantaneously (Consider OC = PB = d)
a) Acceleration of ‘B’ with respective ‘A’ is zero
2V22
b) Acceleration of ‘A’ with respective ‘B’ is
3d
2V22
c) The magnitude of acceleration of ‘B’ with respect to ‘A’ is
d
d) A linear momentum of the ‘B’ with respect to ‘A’ along x-direction is zero

PASSAGE
A model rocket rests on a frictionless horizontal surface and is joined by a string of length l to a
fixed point so that the rocket moves in a horizontal circular path of radius l . The string will break
if its tension exceeds a value T. The rocket engine provides a thrust F of constant magnitude
along the rocket’s direction of motion. The rocket has a mass m that does not change
appreciably with time. Answer following questions based on above passage.
1. Starting from rest at t = 0 at what later time t1 is the rockets travelling so fast that the string
breaks? Ignore any air resistance.
1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2
 2mlT   mlT   mlT   mlF 
a)  2 
b)  2  c)  2 
d)  2 
 F   F   2F   T 
t1
2. What was the magnitude of instantaneous net acceleration at time ? Obtain answer in terms
2
of F,T and m.
1/2 1/2 1/2
T 2 + 8F 2  T 2 + 4 F 2  T 2 + 16 F 2 
a) b) c) d) none of these
m 2m 4m
3. What distance does the rockets travel between the time t1 when the string breaks and the time
2t1 ? . The rocket engine continues to operate after the string breaks.
3lT 2lT lT 2lT
a) b) c) d)
2F 3F 2F F
PASSAGE
A ring of mass 100 gm connecting freely two identical thin loops of mass 200 gm
each, start sliding down from point A at t = 0. The loops move apart over a
sufficiently rough horizontal surface. [Neglect the friction between the ring and
the hoops and take g = 10 m s 2 ]
Read above passage carefully and answer the following questions
9. The normal force acting on the each loop, given by horizontal surface at t = 0 is
2 2 2
A) 20/9 N B) 22/9 N C) N D) N
9 9
10. The friction force acting on the second loop at t = 0 is
2 2 2
A) 10/9 N B) 22/9 N C) N D) N
9 9
11. The acceleration of ring at t = 0 is
A) 10 / 9 m s 2 B) 20 / 9 m s 2 C) 10 / 3 m s 2 D) 20 / 3 m s 2