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 = 0.5 m900 → 1600 rpm10 kg

A flywheel of mass 10 kg with a radius of gyration of 0.5 m is accelerated uniformly from 900 rpm to 1600 rpm. The driving torque is a constant 92 N·m and friction can be ignored. How long t does this take?

m = 10 kgk = 0.5 mn1 = 900 rpmn2 = 1600 rpmT = 92 N·m
t = s
2.Easy
L = 2.9 mGOd = 1.15 mm = 8 kg

A uniform slender rod of mass 8 kg and length 2.9 m rotates about an axis O perpendicular to the rod, 1.15 m from its centre G. Find its mass moment of inertia IO about that axis.

m = 8 kgL = 2.9 md = 1.15 m
IO = kg·m²
3.Medium
n = 2200 rpmTb​ = 10 N·mI = 17 kg·m²

A flywheel with a moment of inertia of 17 kg·m² spins at 2200 rpm. A brake applies a constant friction torque of 10 N·m. How many revolutions N does the flywheel make before it stops?

I = 17 kg·m²n = 2200 rpmTb = 10 N·m
N = rev
4.Medium
v = ?3 kgL = 1.7 mm = 4.5 kg

A uniform slender rod of mass 4.5 kg and length 1.7 m is pinned at one end and released from rest in a horizontal position. A small ball of mass 3 kg is fixed to its free end. Ignore friction and use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the free end as the rod swings through the vertical position.

m = 4.5 kgL = 1.7 mmball = 3 kgg = 9.81 m/s²
v = m/s
5.Hard
θ = 30°a

A solid sphere rolls without slipping down a slope inclined at 30° to the horizontal. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the acceleration a of its centre.

θ = 30°I = (2/5)·m·r²g = 9.81 m/s²
a = m/s²
6.Hard
θ = 30°a

A solid cylinder rolls without slipping down a slope inclined at 30° to the horizontal. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the smallest coefficient of static friction μs that prevents it from slipping.

θ = 30°I = ½·m·r²g = 9.81 m/s²
μs =

Answer key

  1. 1. t = 1.992 s
  2. 2. IO = 16.19 kg·m²
  3. 3. N = 7180 rev
  4. 4. v = 6.238 m/s
  5. 5. a = 3.504 m/s²
  6. 6. μs = 0.1925

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