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 = 0.45 m700 → 2300 rpm70 kg

A flywheel of mass 70 kg with a radius of gyration of 0.45 m is accelerated uniformly from 700 rpm to 2300 rpm. The driving torque is a constant 180 N·m and friction can be ignored. How long t does this take?

m = 70 kgk = 0.45 mn1 = 700 rpmn2 = 2300 rpmT = 180 N·m
t = s
2.Easy
L = 0.7 mGOd = 0.15 mm = 2 kg

A uniform slender rod of mass 2 kg and length 0.7 m rotates about an axis O perpendicular to the rod, 0.15 m from its centre G. Find its mass moment of inertia IO about that axis.

m = 2 kgL = 0.7 md = 0.15 m
IO = kg·m²
3.Medium
0 → 2600 rpmI = 7 kg·m²

A motor brings a flywheel with a moment of inertia of 7 kg·m² from rest up to 2600 rpm in 29 s. Ignoring losses, find the average power Pavg it delivers, in kW.

I = 7 kg·m²n = 2600 rpmt = 29 s
Pavg = kW
4.Medium
n = 600 rpmTb​ = 55 N·mI = 17 kg·m²

A flywheel with a moment of inertia of 17 kg·m² spins at 600 rpm. A brake applies a constant friction torque of 55 N·m. How many revolutions N does the flywheel make before it stops?

I = 17 kg·m²n = 600 rpmTb = 55 N·m
N = rev
5.Hard
θ = 25°vs = 9 m

A solid cylinder starts from rest and rolls without slipping down a slope inclined at 25° to the horizontal. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Its radius is 0.15 m. Find its angular velocity ω after it has rolled 9 m along the slope.

θ = 25°s = 9 mI = ½·m·r²g = 9.81 m/s²r = 0.15 m
ω = rad/s
6.Hard
480 m/s10 g0.45 mL = 0.5 m8.5 kgφ

A uniform slender rod of mass 8.5 kg and length 0.5 m hangs at rest from a frictionless pivot at its top end. A 10 g bullet moving horizontally at 480 m/s hits the rod 0.45 m below the pivot and stays embedded. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the largest angle φ from the vertical through which the rod swings.

M = 8.5 kgL = 0.5 mm = 10 gv = 480 m/sd = 0.45 mg = 9.81 m/s²
φ = °

Answer key

  1. 1. t = 13.19 s
  2. 2. IO = 0.1267 kg·m²
  3. 3. Pavg = 8.947 kW
  4. 4. N = 97.1 rev
  5. 5. ω = 47.02 rad/s
  6. 6. φ = 32.56 °

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