Rigid-body rotation worksheet with answers

Free printable Rigid-body rotation worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy
k = 0.15 m0 → 1400 rpm150 kg

A flywheel of mass 150 kg with a radius of gyration of 0.15 m is accelerated uniformly from rest to 1400 rpm. The driving torque is a constant 38 N·m and friction can be ignored. How long t does this take?

m = 150 kgk = 0.15 mn1 = 0 rpmn2 = 1400 rpmT = 38 N·m
t = s
2.Easy
Or = 0.2 mL = 1.3 m1.5 m3 kg6 kg

A pendulum is made of a uniform slender rod (3 kg, 1.3 m long) pivoted at its top end O, with a thin solid disc of mass 6 kg and radius 0.2 m fixed to its lower end. The disc swings in its own plane and its centre is 1.5 m below O. Find the mass moment of inertia IO of the pendulum about O.

mrod = 3 kgL = 1.3 mmdisc = 6 kgr = 0.2 md = 1.5 m
IO = kg·m²
3.Medium
n = 1100 rpmTb​ = 175 N·mI = 26 kg·m²

A flywheel with a moment of inertia of 26 kg·m² spins at 1100 rpm. A brake applies a constant friction torque of 175 N·m. How many revolutions N does the flywheel make before it stops?

I = 26 kg·m²n = 1100 rpmTb = 175 N·m
N = rev
4.Medium
n = 1000 rpmT = 680 N·m

A motor delivers a torque of 680 N·m at 1000 rpm. Find its power output P in kW.

T = 680 N·mn = 1000 rpm
P = kW
5.Hard
160 m/s30 g1.33 mL = 1.7 m9 kg

A uniform slender rod of mass 9 kg and length 1.7 m hangs at rest from a frictionless pivot at its top end. A 30 g bullet moving horizontally at 160 m/s hits the rod 1.33 m below the pivot and stays embedded. Find the angular velocity ω of the rod just after the impact.

M = 9 kgL = 1.7 mm = 30 gv = 160 m/sd = 1.33 m
ω = rad/s
6.Hard
10 m/sω

A hollow sphere of mass 4.5 kg rolls without slipping at 10 m/s. What percentage p of its total kinetic energy is rotational?

m = 4.5 kgv = 10 m/sI = (2/3)·m·r²
p = %

Answer key

  1. 1. t = 13.02 s
  2. 2. IO = 15.31 kg·m²
  3. 3. N = 156.9 rev
  4. 4. P = 71.21 kW
  5. 5. ω = 0.7319 rad/s
  6. 6. p = 40 %

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