Lesson-1

WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

WORK

If a constant force F displaces a body through displacement s then the work done, W, is given by

d W  Fscos θ  F. s
Where s is magnitude of displacement and  is angle between force and displacement
S.I. unit of work is Joule or Newton-metre.
If the work is done by a variable force F which displaces body from position A to B; having respective
 
position vectors r1 and r2 , the work WAB is given by

r2   F
WAB   F.ds
 = Area under the curve F-s graph.
r1

where ds is a small displacement of the body between A and B.

Work is a scalar quantity. If a number of forces are acting, the total work ds S
on the body is equal to the sum of the work done by all the forces.

SIGN CONVENTION OF WORK

When 0 <  < 90°

F
direction of Motion

W = Fs cos  is positive

i.e., when the force supports the motion of the body, work done by that force is said to positive


But when 
2

direction of Motion

W = Fs cos  = –ve
i.e. in this case force opposes the motion of the body and so work done by that force is said to be
negative.
 If a spring of spring constant k is stretched from initial extension xi to final extension xf, then the force
opposes extension such that F = –kx. The work dW done in extending the spring through dx is given by

dW = Fdx = -kx dx.

xf

Total work done  W  dW   kxdx

 
xi

1 2
 2
  k x f  xi
2

The work done by a spring force is negative. Force of friction also does some work which can be
negative, zero or positive depending upon whether the friction force is opposing motion, causing no
relative motion between surfaces and friction force is supporting the motion respectively.


when  = then w = f.s cos 90° = 0 eg. an object moving on a circular path with constant velocity..
2

ENERGY
The energy of a body is the capacity of the body to do the work. It is a scalar quantity with the same unit
as that for work (Joule in S.I. unit). In mechanics, kinetic and potential energies are involved with the
dynamics of the body.
KINETIC ENERGY
It is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion. A body of mass m moving with a velocity
12
v has a kinetic energy, E k  m v .
2
since velocity is a relative parameter so KE is also a relative parameter. It is a scalar quantity Realtion
P2
between kinetic energy and momentum is given by K.E. = .
2m

TYPES OF FORCES

CONSERVATIVE AND NON-CONSERVATIVE FORCES

A force is said to be conservative if the work done by the force in moving a particle from one point to
another point does not depend upon the path taken but depends upon the initial and final positions. The
work done by a conservative force around a closed path is zero. Gravitational force, electric force,
spring force etc. are examples of conservative forces. All central forces are conservative forces.
If the work done by a force in moving a body from one point to another point depends upon the path
followed, then the force is said to be non-conservative. The work done by such a force in moving a
particle around a closed path is not zero. For example, the frictional forces and viscous forces works in
an irreversible manner and a part of energy is lost in overcoming these frictional forces (Mechanical
energy is converted to other energy forms such as heat, sound etc.). Therefore these are non-conservative
forces.
POTENTIAL ENERGY
It is the energy of a body possesed by virtue of its position or the energy possessed by the body due to its
state.
It is independent of the way in which body is taken to this state. It is a relative parameter and depends
upon its value at reference level.
Change in potential energy can be defined as negative of work done by the conservative force in carrying
a body from reference position to the position under consideration

DEFINITION
i.e., U = – WAB
Where A is initial state, B is final state and WAB is the work done by conservative forces.
Since potential energy depends upon work done by conservative force only, hence it can’t be defined
for non conservative force(s) because in this type of force work done depends upon the path followed.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FORCE AND POTENTIAL ENERGY

If a body is taken from A to B in such away that there is no net change in kinetic energy

 work done= –change in P.E.

F r = U – (U + U)

= – U

 U
 Favg = –  
 r 
if r  0
U U
F = – rlim
0
=–
r r
i.e. force at any point in the conservative field is equal to rate of change of potential energy at that
point. The above equation helps us to determine the nature of equilibrium at a point i.e., whether the
equilibrium is stable, unstable or neutral.

WORK - ENERGY THEOREM

The net work done by the resultant force acting on a particle is equal to the change in the kinetic energy
of the particle. If u and v are the initial and final speeds of a particle of mass m, the net work, Wnet,
done by the resultant force is given by

1 2 1 2
Wnet  mv  mu
2 2
If k is change in the kinetic energy,,
k  Wnet .

CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY

The sum of kinetic and potential energy in conservative systems is constant but it can be transformed
from one form to another form. The sum of total change in potential energy U and total change in
 kinetic energy k is zero if only conservative forces are acting on the system and there is no loss of
energy in overcoming non-conservative forces.
U + k = (U + k) = 0
Integrating, U + k = constant.

Thus if only conservative forces act and perform work, the total mechanical energy of the system is
conserved i.e. the change in the total mechanical energy of the system is zero. This is called conservation

of mechanical energy.

1. Draw a sketch of the physical situation for the initial and final positions by choosing a suitable coordinate
system.

2. Specify the reference level for the potential energy and correct direction of motion of body/bodies. Any
convenient level can be chosen like zero gravitational potential energy at ground level. However potential
energy for the unstretched spring of natural length is necessary zero in every case.

3. Write the sum of kinetic energy, gravitational/electrostatic/magnetic potential energy and spring potential
energy in compressed or stretched state for the respective initial and final position of the body.

4. Equate the sum of the initial energies with the sum of final energies in the case of conservative forces.
However additional contribution by irreversible frictional forces should be taken into account for such
non-conservative forces as may be present so that total energy is constant in the initial and final states.

5. Solve the unknown quantity by using the process of elimination.

POWER
It is defined as the rate at which the work is done. If an amount of work W is done in time t ,
W
average power, Pav 
t

Instantaneous power P  Lim W   dW

 
t 0   t  dt
Work done by a force F on an object that has infinitesimally small displacement ds is dW = F ds.


then instantaneous power, P  d W  F ds  F . v
dt dt
S.I. unit of power is watt or Joule/second and it is a scalar quantity.

MOTION IN A VERTICAL CIRCLE

Consider a particle of mass m attached to one end of a string and rotated in a vertical circle of radius r
with centre O. The speed of the particle will decrease as the particle travels from the lowest point to the
highest point and the speed will increase when the particle travels from the highest point to the lowest
point due to acceleration due to gravity.
 If the particle is moving with velocity v at any instant at A, where the string is subtending an angle  with
the vertical, the forces acting on the particle are tension T in the string directed towards AO and weight
mg acting downwards.
The net force T – mg cos  directed towards the centre provides the centripetal force,
mv 2
T – mg cos =
r
2
T = m (g cos  + v )
r
If v0 is the speed of the particle at the highest point, the velocity increases as particle falls through any
height h. If it falls from C to A, the vertical distance h is given by
h = CF = CO + OF = CO + OA cos = r + r cos 
h = r (1+cos )
v 2 = v02 + 2 gh = v02 + 2gr (1 + cos ) (because tension does no work)
C
(i) At the highest point C,
 = 180º,
h O r
D E
 v02   v02
 T
Tension at C = TC = m  r  g cos(180) = m  r g  F

    A
B mg cos 
The particle will fall because the string will slacken if TC is negative. mg
mg sin 
Therefore, the minimum velocity at the highest point is corresponding to
the situation where TC is just zero i.e., when

 v02 
m  r g  = 0, or v0 = rg
 
(ii) At the lowest point B, = 0, tension TB is given by

 v B2 
TB = m  r  g  where vB is velocity at B.
 

vB2 = v02 + 4 rg = rg + 4rg = 5rg (using v² = u² + 2gh)

vB = 5rg
Minimum tension at B when the particle completes the circle,
 5rg 
TB = m  r  g  = 6 mg
 
2
mv E
At the point E, when  = 90º, TE =
r
Where velocity at E, vE, is given by
vE2 = vc2 + 2 rg = rg + 2rg = 3rg

vE = 3rg
 Tension at E corresponding to speed vE is

 3rg 
TE = m  r  = 3 mg
 

(iii) In another case the particle of mass m is not tied to the string but is moving along a circular track of
radius r and has normal reaction N while it is moving with a velocity v and its radius vector is subtending
an angle with the vertical, then N
2
mv
mg cos  – N = 
r 
2 r
mv
At highest point, mg – N =
r

when N = 0, v = rg mg

Therefore v = rg is the minimum speed with which the particle can move at the highest point

without losing the contact.

 SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex.1: A body is moving under the influence of a single constant force acting along the direction of motion.
What is nature of work done during motion from O  A, A  B, B  C, C D, and D  E.
v
A B

O C E t

Sol.: O  A. Velocity is increasing so motion is being supported by the force hence work done is +ve
A  B, velocity is constant  WAB = 0
B  C, velocity is decreasing so motion must be opposed so wBC = –ve
C  D, velocity is increasing but in opposite direction, hence motion is being supported in
opposite direction, so wCD = + ve
D  E, Velocity is decreasing, so wDE = – ve

Ex.2: A force F = (2 – x) N is acting on the particle of mass 2 kg. What is the work done on the particle after

it has travelled 3 m along x axis starting from x = 0.

Sol.: Since force is variable,

x2
W =  x1
F dx

3
3  x2 
=  (2  x) dx =  2 x  

0  2 0

1
= 23– (9 – 0) = 6 – 4.5
2
= 1.5 J

Ex.3. The block of mass M shown in the figure initially has a velocity v0 to the right and its position is such
that the spring exerts no force on it, i.e., the spring is not stretched or compressed. The block moves
to the right a distance l before stopping in the dotted position shown. The spring constant is k and the
coefficient of kinetic friction between block and table is . As the block moves the distance l,
 (a) Find the work done on it by the friction force.
(b) Find the work done on it by the spring force.
(c) Are there other forces acting on the block, and if so, what work do they do ?
(d) Find the total work done on the block.
(e) Use the work-energy theorem to find the value of l in terms of M, v0, , g and k.

Sol.: (a) Work done by friction = – M g l.

(b) Work done by the spring force = – 12 k l 2.
(c) Gravitational force and normal reaction of the table act in the direction perpendicular to
displacement, no work is done by these forces
(d) Total work done on block = –( M g l + 12 k l 2).
(e) According to work-energy theorem
change in kinetic energy = Work done
1 M v02 – 0 = – ( M g l + 12 k l 2 )
2

2
2 Mgl Mv02
or l + + =0
k k
 k l 2 + 2 Mgl + Mv02 = 0
The solution of quadratic equation gives,
1  ( 2 M 2 g 2  M k v 2   M g ) 
l= 0 .
k  

Ex.4. An ideal massless spring S can be compressed 2 metre by a force of 200 N. This spring is placed at
the bottom of a frictionless inclined plane which makes an angle  = 30º with the horizontal. A 20 kg
mass is released from rest at the top of the inclined plane and is brought to rest momentarily after
compressing the spring by 4 metre.
(a) Through what distance does the mass slide before coming to rest ?
(b) What is the speed of the mass just before it reaches the spring ?

Sol.: (a) As the spring is compressed by 2 metre with the

application of a force of 200 N, hence its force constant
k is given by

F 200
k= = = 100 N/m.
2 2

Let l be the distance along the inclined plane which the mass travels before it comes to rest. Now
applying the principle of conservation of energy,
1 kx 2 = mgh = mg l sin
2 1
1  100  42 = 20  9.8  l  12
2

l = 800/98 = 8.17 m.
 (b) Let l1 be the distance which the mass travels along the plane just before striking the spring.
l = l1 + 4 or l1 = l – 4 = 8.17 – 4 = 4.17 m.
 Speed when the mass just reaches the spring
1 m v2 = mg l1 sin
2

v = ( 2 g l1 sin )

 v = ( 2  9.8  4.17  1/ 2) = 6.39 m/sec.

1
Ex.5: A chain of mass = 3 kg and length 3 m is hanging over the edge of smooth table by rd of its total
3
length. What is minimum work done to pull the hanging part of chain on the table.

(Assume g = 10 m/sec²)

Sol.:

For the work done to be minimum all work should go to increase the potential energy of the chain.
(i.e. it should not increase the K. E.)

Change in potential energy

m l
= .g.
3 6

3 3
=  10  =5J
3 6

Hence work done = 5 J

m
Ex. 6. A system consists of two identical cubes, each of mass m1
linked together by a compressed weightless
spring of stiffness K. The cubes are also connected by a
thread which is burnt at a certain moment.
Find at what value of initial compression x0 of the spring,
the lower cube will bounce up after the thread is burnt.
m Reference
line
Sol.: Let us consider the horizontal line passing through the centre of gravity of the lower cube as the

reference level. Let l be the normal length of the spring.

Since no other force except gravity and spring force are present and both are conservative forces, we

can apply the energy conservation principle for the spring and gravitational energy.

1
The initial energy of the system = Kx02 + mg(l – x0) where x0 is initial compression of the spring.
2

Let the spring extend by x above its natural length after the thread is burnt.

1
Then the energy of the system = Kx2 + mg (l + x)
2

Applying law of conservation of energy,

1 1
Kx02 + mg (l – x0) = Kx2 + mg (l + x)
2 2
1 1
 Kx2 + mg l + mgx – Kx02 – mg l + mgx0 = 0
2 2
Kx2 + 2mgx – Kx02 + 2mx0g = 0

 2mg  4m 2 g 2  4 K (2mgx0  Kx02 )

x=
2K
2 2
or Kx = –mg ± (mg  K x0 )

= –mg ± (mg – Kx0)

= – Kx0 or Kx0 – 2 mg

As the negative value –Kx0 is not correct

Kx = Kx0 – 2 mg

The lower block will bounce, if Kx  mg

Kx0 – 2 mg  mg; Kx0  3 mg

3mg
x0 
K

3mg
Thus for x0 greater than , the lower cube will bounce up.
K

Ex.7. A small particle of mass m, initially at A as shown in the figure, slides down a frictionless surface
AEB. When the particle is at the point C, find the angular velocity and the force exerted by the
surface.
A r O B


C

E
Sol.: The situation is shown in the figure where COE = .
At point C, the total energy is given as follows :

Sum of potential and kinetic energy = mg  DE + 12 m v2

where v is the linear velocity at this point.

At point A, the total energy is mgr

 m g r = m g  DE + 12 m r2 2 ( v = r ) A r O B

or g r = g (EO – DO) + 12 r2 2 
D C
But EO – DO = r – r cos  = r (1 – cos )  mg cos
E
mg
 g r = g r (1 – cos ) + 12 r2 2 mg sin

2 r 2 = 2 g r cos  = 2 g r sin (/2 + )

= 2 g r sin( –  + )
= 2 g r sin

 2 gsin  
 =  
 r 

Now m 2r = 2 m g sin 

 total force at C = m 2r + m g cos 
= 2 m g sin  + m g sin a
= 3 m g sin .

Ex.8. A frictionless roller coaster of mass m starts at point A with speed v0 as shown in the figure. Assume
that the roller coaster can be considered as a point particle and that it always remains on the track.

(a) Find the speed of the roller coaster at point B and C.

(b) What constant deceleration is required to stop it at point E if the brakes are applied at point D ?

Sol.: (a) As the point A and B are at the same height h, the potential energy is the same at hte these points.
Conservation of energy requires that K.E. at B is equal to that at A. Hence speed of roller coaster
at B will be v0.
Mechanical energy at A = 12 m v02 + m g h
Mechanical energy at C = 12 m v2 + m g(h/2)
 where v is the velocity of roller coaster at C.
According to conservation of mechanical energy, we get

1mv 2 mgh
2 0 + m g h = 12 m v2 +
2
2
 v= ( v 0  g h)

(b) At point D, there is no potential energy and only the energy is kinetic energy. If the velocity of
roller coaster at D be v1, we get

K.E. at D = 12 m v12
According to conservation of energy,
1mv 2 = 12 m v02 + m g h
2 1

v12 = v02 + 2 g h
Let the deceleration be a, then using the formula along distance DE = L,
0 = (v02 + 2 g h) – 2 a L
2
v0  2 g h
 a= .
2L

Ex.9: A heavy particle is suspended by a string of length l. The

particle is given a horizontal velocity v0. The string
becomes slack at some angle and the particle proceeds
on a parabola. Find the value of v0 if the particle passes
through the point of suspension of the string.

Sol.: Let the string become slack at Q.

At Q, Centripetal force = mg cos  ( T = 0)

m v2
 mg cos  = ........(i)
L
 v² = gL cos  ........(ii)
using conservation of energy between position
Q and the lowest position,
1 1
m v 02  m v 2  mg L (1 + cos )
2 2
 v² = v02 – 2gL ( 1 + cos ) ........(iii)
from (ii) and (iii)
v02 – 2gL (1 + cos ) = gL cos 

 v02 = gL ( 2 + 3 cos ) ........(iv)

 After the string slackens, the particle will follow projectile path. In this particular case, the projectile
path goes through point of suspension.

After crossing Q, the equation, of horizontal and vertical motion gives

L sin  = (v cos )t ........(v)

1 2
also –L cos  = (v sin )t – gt
2

Now putting value if t from (v) and also from equation (ii)

 L sin   1  L sin  
 – L cos  = (v sin )  v cos    2 g  v cos  
   

1 sin 2 
 – cos² = + 1 – cos²  –
2 cos 2 

1
 tan² = 1
2

 tan²  = 2

1
 tan  = 2 & cos  = 3
1/2
from (4) v0 = [gL (2 + 3 )]

Ex.10: A block of mass 2 kg is being pulled up the inclined plane with constant acceleration 2 m/sec². from
rest. What is average power from t = 0 to t = 2 seconds supplied by force. Also determine the rate
of doing the work at t = 2 seconds.

Sol.: According to Newton’s IInd law

(F – mg sin 30°) = ma

 F = ma + mg sin 30°

 1
= 2 2  10  
 2 

= 2 × 7 = 14 N. ..........(i)
 displacement from t = 0  2 sec.

1 2 1
S = ut  at  0   2  4
2 2
=4m

Total work
Pavg = Total time

14  4
=
2
= 28 J/sec.
Speed at t = 2 sec.
v = u + at = 0 + 2 × 2 = 4 m/sec

dw
P =
dt
= F . v = 14 × 4

= 56 J/sec.

Ex.11.A small mass m starts from rest and slides down the smooth surface of a solid of radius R. Assume
zero potential energy at the top. Find
(a) the change in potential energy of the mass with angle 
(b) the kinetic energy as a function of angle 
(c) the angle at which the mass flies off the sphere.
(d) If there is friction between the mass and the sphere, does the mass fly off at a greater or lesser
angle?

Sol.: (a) Let the mass lie at P where AOP = 

The potential energy of mass m at A is zero. When it

descends through AC, the loss of potential energy is
given by

U = –mg (AC)

= –mg (AO – CO)

= –mg (R – R cos)

= –m gR (1 – cos) .....(i)

(b) The loss of potential energy results in a gain in kinetic energy. Hence kinetic energy at P is given
by

K = +m g R (1 – cos) .....(ii)
(c) Radially inward force at P = m g cos – N which provides the centripetal force.

mg cos – N = m v2/R

where v is the velocity at P.

The mass flies off the surface at angle  for which N = 0

 mg cos = m v2/R .....(iii)

At P, 12 m v2 = mgR(1 – cos)

or v2 = 2 g R (1 – cos)

Substituting this value in equation (iii), we have

(1 cos )
mg cos = m × 2 gR
R

or mg cos = 2mg – 2 mg cos

or 3 mg cos = 2mg

 cos  = 2/3

  = cos–1 (2/3).

(d) In the presence of friction, the velocity at P will be lesser and hence the mass will fly off from the
surface at a larger angle than  = cos–1 (2/3) .
 OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
1. A man cycles up a hill rising 1 metre vertically for every 50 metre along the slope at the rate of 3.6 km/
hour. If the weight of the man and cycle is 120 kg, the power of the man is
(a) 5.85 watt (b) 11.7 watt (c) 23.52 watt (d) 47.04 watt

2. A block of mass m slides down along the surface of a hemispherical bowl of radius R from its top portion
of the rim to its lowermost point at its bottom. The velocity of the block at this point is
(a)  Rg (b)  Rg (c)  Rg (d) Rg

k
3. A particle of mass M is moving in a horizontal circle of radius r under a centripetal force equal to  2 ,
r
where k is a constant, its total energy is
k k k k
(a) (b)  (c) (d) 
r r 2r 2r

4. A small body of mass M starts sliding off the top of a smooth sphere
of radius R. The angle  with respect to the vertical direction at the
centre corresponding to the point at which the body breaks off the
sphere is
 2  2  
(a) cos–1  3  (b) tan–1  3  (c) (d)
    4 2

5. An elastic string of unstretched length L and force constant k is stretched by a small length x. It is further
stretched by a small length y. The work done in the second stretching is
1 2 1 1 1
(a) ky (b) k (x2 + y2) (c) k (x + y)2 (d) ky (2x + y)
2 2 2 2

6. A particle moves along the x-axis from x = 0 to x = 5m under the influence of a force given by
F = 7 – 2x + 3x2. The work done in the process is
(a) 70 J (b) 270 J (c) 35 J (d) 135 J

7. A spring of force constant 10 N/m has initial stretch 0.2 m. In changing the stretch to 0.25 m, the
increases of potential energy is about
(a) 0.11 J (b) 0.21 J (c) 0.31 J (d) 0.51 J

8. Under the action of a force, a 3 kg body moves such that its position x as a function of time is given by
t3
x= ; where x is in meters and t in seconds. The work done by the force in the first two seconds is
3
(a) 24 J (b) 81 J (c) 240 J (d) 810 J

9. A particle moves with a velocity v  10iˆ  6 ˆj  12kˆ m/s under the influence of a constant force

F  10iˆ  10 ˆj  20kˆ N. The instantaneous power applied to the particle is
(a) 100 J/s (b) 280 J/s (c) 350 J/s (d) 400 J/s
10. A bucket tied to a string is lowered at a constant acceleration of g/4. If the mass of the bucket is m and
it is lowered by a distance d, the work done by the string will be (assume the string to be massless)
1 3 4 4
(a) mgd (b) – mgd (c) – mgd (d) mgd
4 4 3 3

11. The displacement x of a particle of mass m kg moving in one dimension, under the action of a force, is
related to the time t by the equation t = x + 3 where x is in metres and t is in seconds. The work done
by the force in the first six seconds in joules is

(a) 0 (b) 3 (c) 6 (d) 9

12. A 2 kg block is dropped from a height of 0.4 m on a spring of force constant k = 1960 N/m. The
maximum compression of the spring is

(a) 0.1 m (b) 0.2 m (c) 0.3 m (d) 0.4 m

13. A man who is running has half the kinetic energy of a boy of half his mass. The man speeds up by
1 ms–1 and then has same kinetic energy as the boy. The original speed of the boy was

(a) 2 ms–1 (b) ( 2 – 1) ms–1 (c) 2 ms–1 (d) 2  1 ms –1

14. A ball is projected vertically upwards with an initial velocity. Which of the following graphs best
represents the K.E. of the ball as a function of time from the instant of projection till it reaches the
point of projection ?

K.E. K.E. K.E. K.E.

(a) (b) (c) (d)
O t O t O t O t

15. A particle at rest on a frictionless table is acted on by a horizontal force which is constant in size
and direction. A graph is plotted of the work done on the particle W, against the speed of the particle
v. If there are no frictional forces acting on the particle, the graph will look like

W W W W
(a) (b) (c) (d)
O  O  O  O 

16. A sphere moving with velocity v strikes a wall moving towards the sphere with a velocity u. If the
mass of the wall is infinitely large, the workdone by the wall during collision will be
(a) m u (u + v) (b) 2 m u (u + v) (c) 2 m v (u + v) (d) 2 m (u + v)
17. A block of mass 10 kg accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 2 m/s in 30 second. What is
the workdone on the block at the end of first 10 seconds ? Neglect friction.
20
(a) 20 J (b) J (c) 20/3 J (d) 20/6 J
9

18. A man drags a box with uniform speed across a 10 m long rough floor. The coefficient of friction
of the floor is 0.5. If the man pulls the box with a force of ( 3 ) kN at an angle 30º with the
horizontal, what is the work done in dragging the box ?
(a) 30 kJ (b) 15 kJ (c) 10 3 kJ (d) 5 kJ.

19. A particle moves under the effect of a force F = cx from x = 0 to x = x1. The work done in the
process is
1
(a) c x12 (b) c x2 (c) c x13 (d) zero
2 1

20. Work done in time t on a body of mass m which is accelerated from rest to a speed v in time t1 as
a function of time t is given by
2
1 v v 2 1  mv  2 1 v2
(a) m t2 (b) m t (c)   t (d) m 2 t2
2 t1 t1 2  t1  2 t1

21. A heavy box of 40 kg is pushed along 20 m by two coolies over a railway platform whose coefficient
of friction with the box is 0.4. The work done by the two coolies (take g = 10 ms–2 and assume
forces applied to be horizontal) is
(a) + 3200 J (b) – 3200 J (c) + 1600 J (d) – 1600 J

22. The potential energy of a particle is given by U = a/r2 – b/r where a and b are positive constants
r is the distance from the centre of the field. The stable equilibrium position of the particle
corresponds to the distance r0 given by

a a 2a a
(a) r0 = (b) r0 = – (c) r0 = (d) r0 =
2b b b b

23. Graph shows the acceleration of a 3 kg 4

particle as an applied force moves it from a(m/sec²)

rest along x-axis. The total work done by x(m)
0 2
the force on the particle by the time the 4 6

particle reaches x = 6m, is equal to

(a) 20 J (b) 60 J (c) 30 J (d) 40 J

24. A particle of mass m moves from rest under the action of a constant force F which acts for two seconds.
The maximum power attained is:
(a) 2Fm (b) F²/m (c) 2F/m (d) 2F²/m
25. As shown in the figure, there is no friction between the horizontal surface and the lower block
(M = 3 kg) but friction coefficient between both the blocks is 0.2. Both the blocks move together with
initial speed V towards the spring, compresses it and due to the force exerted by the spring, moves in the
reverse direction of the initial motion. What can be the maximum value of V (in cm/s) so that during the
motion, there is no slipping between the blocks.
1 kg
(use g = 10m/s²) K=400N/m µ=0.2

M 3 kg
(a) 20 cm/s (b) 10 cm/s
(c) 30 cm/s (d) 40 cm/s
smooth
v
26. A uniform rope of linear mass density  and length  is coiled
on a smooth horizontal surface. One end is pulled up with
constant velocity v. Then the average power applied by the
external agent in pulling the entire rope just off the horizontal
surface is

1  2 g 13 vg 3 1
(a)  v 2  (b) gv (c) v  (d) vg  v
2 2 2 2 2

27. In the above question the maximum power delivered by the agent in pulling up the rope is –

v3 l l gv l v3
(a) l gv (b) l gv + (c) l gv + v3 l (d) +
2 2 2

28. Two small bodies of masses 'm' and '2m' are placed in a fixed smooth
horizontal circular hollow tube of mean radius 'r' as shown. The
mass 'm' is moving with speed 'u' and the mass '2m' is stationary.
After their first collision, the time elapsed for next collision is :
[coefficient of restitution e = 1/2 ]
2r 4r 3 r 12  r
(a) (b) (c) (d)
u u u u

29. A ball is suspended from the top of a cart by a string of length 1.0m. The cart and the ball are initially
moving to the right at constant speed V, as shown in figure I. The cart comes to rest after colliding and
sticking to a fixed bumper, as in figure II. The suspended ball swings through a maximum angle 60°. The
initial speed V is (take g = 10 m/s²)

L 60°

Figure (1) Bumper Figure (2) Bumper

(a) 2 5 m/s (b) 5 2 m / s (c) 10 m / s (d) 4 m/s

30. A small block is slides along a path that is without friction until the block reaches the section L = 3m,
which begins at height h = 3m on a flat incline of angle 37°, as shown. In that section, the coefficient of
kinetic friction is 0.50. The block passes through point A with a speed of 136 m / s . The speed of the
block as it passes through point B where the friction ends, in m/s (Take g = 10 m/s²)
(a) 4 m/s (b) 6 m/s (c) 8 m/s (d) 10 m/s

MORE THAN ONE CORRECT CHOICE

31. One of the forces acting on a particle is conservative then–

(a) Its work is zero when the particle moves exactly once around any closed path.
(b) Its work equals the change in the kinetic energy of the particle
(c) It obeys Newton's second law.
(d) Its work depends on the end points of the motion, not on the path between.

32. Two blocks, of masses M and 2M, are connected to a light

spring of spring constant K that one end fixed, as shown in M

figure. The horizontal surface and the pulley are frictionless.

The blocks are released from rest when the spring is deformed.
The string is light –
2M
4Mg
(a) Maximum extension in the spring is
K

2M 2 g 2
(b) Maximum kinetic energy of the system is
K

4M 2 g 2
(c) When kinetic energy of the system is maximum, energy stored in the spring is
K
(d) Maximum energy stored in the spring is four times that of maximum kinetic energy of the system

33. A block of mass m moving with a velocity v0 collides with a stationary block of mass M at the back of
which a spring of stiffness k is attached, as shown in figure. Choose the correct alternative(s).

(a) The velocity of the centre of mass is v0/2

1  mM  2
(b) The initial kinetic energy of the system in the centre of mass frame is   v0
4  M  m

mM 1
(c) The maximum compression in the spring is v 0
(m  M ) k

(d) When the spring is in the state of maximum compression, the kinetic energy in the centre of mass
frame is zero
34. A particle of mass 2m is attached to one end of an elastic string of modulus mg whose other end is fixed
to a point P. The particle is dropped from P. It will first come to rest –
(a) when the tension in the string is 2mg (b) when the kinetic energy is zero
(c) below the equilibrium position (d) when the length of the string has doubled

35. A particle travelling in a horizontal straight line has an acceleration of +2 ms–2.

(a) Its total mechanical energy is constant. (b) The particle is doing work.
(c) Its potential energy is constant. (d) Work is being done on the particle.

36. You lift a suitcase from the floor and keep it on a table. The work done by you on the suitcase does not
depend on :
(a) the path taken by the suitcase (b) the time taken by you in doing so
(c) the weight of the suitcase (d) your weight

37. The spring is compressed by a distance 'a' and released. The block again comes to rest when the
spring is elongated by a distance 'b'. During this process :

1
(a) work done by the spring on the block = k (a2 + b2).
2

1
(b) work done by the spring on the block = k (a2 – b2)
2

k (a  b)
(c) co-efficient of friction = 2mg .

k (a  b)
(d) co-efficient of friction = 2mg .

38. If a particle under the action of a force F has potential energy U then in equilibrium :
   
(a) F  0 and U = 0 (b) F  0 but U = 0 (c) F  0 and U  0 (d) F  0 and U  0

39. The potential energy U in joule of a particle of mass 1 kg moving in x-y plane obeys the law U = 3x + 4y,
where (x, y) are the co-ordinates of the particle in meter. If the particle is at rest at (6, 4) at time t = 0,
then :
(a) the particle has constant acceleration
(b) the particle has zero acceleration
(c) the speed of particle when it crosses the y-axis is 10 m/s
(d) coordinates of the particle at t = 1 sec are (4.5, 2)
40. No work is done by a force on an object if :
(a) the force is always perpendicular to its velocity
(b) the force is always perpendicular to its acceleration
(c) point of application of the force moves on the object which itself remains stationary
(d) point of application of the force does not move though the object moves
 MISCELLANEOUS ASSIGNMENT
Comprehension-1

Work done is the scalar product of force and displacement. To calculate the work done by Time varying
force generally apply the work energy theorem. According to this sum of the work done by all forces is
equal to change in kinetic energy. Potential energy depends on separation between the interacting
particles. For the conservative force negative potential energy gradient is equal to force.

a b
1. The potential energy of a particle U = 2
 . The system is in
r r
(a) unstable equilibrium
(b) stable equilibrium
(c) neutral equilibrium
(d) equilibrium stage is not obtained for a given potential energy field

2. A block of mass 5 kg is being raised vertically upwards by the help of string attached to it. It rises with
an acceleration of 2 m/s2. The work done by tension in the string if block rises by 2.5 m
(a) 125 J (b) 147.5 J (c) 193.4 J (d) –87.5 J

3. W = FS cos  is applicable for

(a) only constant force (b) only time varying force
(c) any force (d) neither for constant nor for variable force

4. A pump is required to lift 1000 kg of water per minute from a well 20 m deep and eject it all the rate of
20 m/s. What horse power engine is required for the purpose of lifting water
(a) nearly 9 (b) nearly 2 (c) nearly 16 (d) nearly 25

Comprehension-2

Physics problem can be solved by using conservation of energy. When no external force acts on the
system then linear momentum is constant and conserved. The concept of momentum is a term used in
describing objects in motion. For conservation of linear momentum only requirement is that the force
must be internal to system. Impulse is the product of force and small time interval. It is equal to change
of linear momentum. In many physical situations, we shall use the impulse. Conservation of linear
momentum is valid for all types of collision, rocket propulsion etc.

5. A body is projected with velocity v and angle of projection is . At highest point it is split into two
fragments, then
(a) linear momentum is conserved only at highest point
(b) linear momentum is conserved only in horizontal direction
(c) linear momentum is conserved in only vertical direction
(d) at any arbitrary point
6. A shell is projected with velocity v and angle of projection of . At highest point it is split into two
fragments. Ratio of their masses is 1 : 2. Heavy part retraces its path. The speed of other fragment is
3
(a) 3v cos  (b) 2v cos  (c) v cos  (d) 5v cos 
2

7. A lighter body and heavier body both are moving with same K.E. Then
(a) linear momentum of lighter body is lesser (b) both have same momentum
(c) both have same velocity (d) none of these

8. If momentum of a body increases by 50%. The kinetic energy increases by

(a) 100% (b) 125% (c) 150% (d) 225%
9. Match the statements in Column-I with the processes in Column-II:
Column-I Column-II
A. Collision of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus (p) Elastic collision
B. A speeding bullet getting embedded in a wooden plank (q) Inelastic collision
C. Collision of neutron with a heavy unstable nucleus (r) Nuclear fission
D. Collision in which there is no loss of kinetic energy (s) Nuclear fusion
10. The potential energy of a particle moving along x-axis is shown in the figure, where E0 is the total
mechanical of the particle. U(x)
Column-I Column-II
E0
A. Force on the particle is towards +ve x-axis if (p) x1 < x < x2
B. Particle cannot be found where (q) x2 < x < x3
C. Force is towards the equilibrium position if (r) x1 > x > x3 x1 x2 x3 x
D. Force is towards the –ve x-axis if (s) x1 < x < x3

11. Two forces F1 and F2 act on a particle P causing it to move through a distance of 2 m. The work done
by the resultant force if F1 = i – j and F2 is of magnitude 10 N and acts in the direction 4i+ 3j is
n106 J. Find the value of n.

12. A cable car travelling at a steady speed moves a distance of 2 km up a slope inclined at 20° to the
horizontal. If the mass of the cable car is 1200 kg and the resistance to motion is 400N, the work done
by the tension in the cable is 461 x kilo Joule. Find the value of x.

13. A man climbs a mountain of height 2000 n . If the weight of the man is 700 N, he work he does against
gravity is 700 x kilo joule. Find the value of x.

14. A man pushes his bicycle a distance of 200 m up a hill which is inclined at arcsin Is to the horizontal. If
the man and his bicycle together weigh 850 N, the work he does against gravity is 2260 n joule. Find the
value of n.
15. A block is pulled along a rough horizontal surface by a horizontal string. If the string pulls the block at
a steady speed and does work of 100 J in moving the block a distance of 5 m, he tension in the string is
4n N. Find the value of n.

16. A block is pulled at a constant speed of 5 ms–1 along a horizontal surface by a horizontal string. If the
tension in the string is 5 N, the work done by the string in ten seconds is 50x joule. Find the value of x.

17. A block is pulled up an incline of arcsin 1/20 to the horizontal at a steady speed of 6 ms–1. If the work
done against gravity in one second is 400 J, the weight of the block is 266 x N. Find the value of x.

18. A car of mass 750 kg has a maximum power of 30 kW and moves against a constant resistance to
motion of 800 N. The maximum speed of the car up an incline of arcsin (1/10) to the horizontal is
x m/s. Find the value of x.

19. A car of mass 900 kg accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 60 km/h in a time of two seconds
when travelling on a level road. If there is a constant resistance to motion of 20 N the maximum power
of the engine is 25 n kW. Find the value of n.

20. Two equal scale pans each of mass M are connected by a light inelastic string which passes over a
smooth pulley. The two pans are at the same level. If a load of mass 2M is gently placed on one pan and
the system is released, through distance of 0.5 n metre each pan has moved when their velocity is
2.1 ms–1. Find the value of n.
 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
IIT-JEE/JEE-ADVANCE QUESTIONS
1. Two blocks are attached as shown in the figure. When the string
connecting the two blocks is being cut, the acceleration both the
blocks are
g
(a) g, g (b) ,g 2m
2
g g g m
(c) g, (d) ,
2 2 2
2. Two blocks A and B each of mass m are connected by massless spring of natural length L and spring
constant K. The blocks are initially resting on a smooth horizontal floor with the spring at its natural
length, as shown in the figure. A third identical block C, also of mass m, moves on the floor with
v
L
A B
a speed v along the line joining A and B, and collides with A. Then
(a) the kinetic energy of the A-B system, at maximum compression of the spring, is zero
(b) the kinetic energy of the A-B system, at maximum compression of the spring, is m v2/4
(c) the maximum compression of the spring is v (m / K )

(d) the maximum compression of the spring is v (m / 2 K )

Paragraph for Question Nos. 3 to 5

A small block of mass M moves on a frictionless surface of an inclined plane, as shown in figure. The
angle of the incline suddenly changes from 60° to 30° at point B. The block is initially at rest at A.
Assume that collisions between the block and the incline are totally inelastic (g = 10 m/s2).
Figure : A M

v
°
60 B

30° C

3m 3 3m
3. The speed of the block at point B immediately after it strikes the second incline is

(a) 60 m/s (b) 45 m/s (c) 30 m/s (d) 15 m/s

4. The speed of the block at point C, immediately before it leaves the second incline is

(a) 120 m/s (b) 105 m/s (c) 90 m/s (d) 75 m/s
5. If collision between the block and the incline is completely elastic, then the vertical (upward) component
of the velocity of the block at point B, immediately after it strikes the second incline is
(a) 30 m/s (b) 15 m/s (c) 0 (d)  15 m/s

6. STATEMENT-1: Two cylinders, one hollow (mental) and the other solid (wood) with the same mass
and identical dimensions are simultaneously allowed to roll without slipping down an inclined plane from
the same height. The hollow cylinder will reach the bottom of the inclined plane first.
STATEMENT-2: By the principle of conservation of energy, the total kinetic energies of both the
cylinders are identical when they reach the bottom of the incline.
(a) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for Statement-1
(b) Statement-1 and 2 is True; Statement-2 is NOT a correct explanation for Statement-1
(c) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is False
(d) Statement-1 is False, Statement-2 is True

7. A light inextensible string that goes over a smooth fixed pulley as shown in the
figure connects two blocks of masses 0.36 kg and 0.72 kg. Taking g = 10 m/s2,
find the work done (in joules) by the string on the block of mass 0.36 kg during
the first second after the system is released from rest. [IIT 2009]

8. A block of mass 2 kg is free to move along the x-axis. It is at rest and from t = 0 onwards it is subjected
to a time-dependent force F(t) in the x direction. The force F(t) varies with t as shown in the figure.
The kinetic energy of the block after 4.5 seconds is
F(t)

4N

4.5s
O 3s t

(a) 4.50 J (b) 7.50 J (c) 5.06 J (d) 14.06 J

 x y ˆj  (K being a
9. The work done on a particle of mass m by a force K  2 2 3/ 2
iˆ  2 2 3/ 2 
 (x  y ) (x  y ) 
constant of appropriate dimensions), when the particle is taken from the point (a, 0) to the point (0, a)
along a circular path of radius a about the origin in the x–y plane is

2K  K K
(a) (b) (c) (d) 0
a a 2a
10. A particle of mass 0.2 kg is moving in one dimension under a force that delivers a constant power
0.5 W to the particle. If the initial speed (in ms–1) of the particle is zero, the speed (in ms–1) after 5s is

the body in time t is proportional to

(a) t1/2 (b) t3/4 (c) t3/2 (d) t2

12. A uniform chain of length L and mass M is lying on a smooth table and one third of its length is hanging
vertically down over the edge of the table. If g is acceleration due to gravity, the work required to pull
the hanging part on to the table is
(a) MgL (b) MgL/3 (c) MgL/9 (d) MgL/18

13. A horizontal curricular platform of radius 0.5 m and mass 0.45 kg is free to rotate about its axis. Two
massless spring toy-guns, each carrying a steel ball of mass 0.05 kg are attached to the platform at a
distance 0.25 m from the centre on its either sides along its diameter (see figure). Each gun simultaneously
fires the balls horizontally and perpendicular to the diameter
in opposite directions. After leaving the platform, the balls
have horizontal speed of 9 ms–1 with respect to the ground.
The rotational speed of the platform in rad s–1 after the balls
leave the platform is

DCE QUESTIONS

1. A mass m fall on spring of spring constant K and negligible mass from a height h. Assuming it stick to
pan and execute S.H.M. The maximum height upto which the pan will rise is
m
mg mg  2K 
(a) (b)  1  1 h
K K  mg 

K
mg  2K  mg  K 
(c)  1  1 (d)  1  1
K  mg  K  mg 
 

2. A force of (3x2 + 2x) N acts on system displacing it from x = 1 m to x = 3m. What is the work
done?
(a) 20 J (b) 29 J (c) 34 J (d) 42 J

3. Unit of power is
(a) kilowatt hour (b) kilowatt per hour (c) kilowatt (d) erg

4. Power can be expressed as

(a) F.v (b) 1/2 Fv2 (c) F.t (d) F × v

5. A body of weight mg is hanging on a string, which extends its length by l. The work done by gravity
in extending the string is
 (a) mg l (b) mg l/2 (c) 2 mg l (d) None of these

6. What is F. ds ?
(a) Torque (b) Impulse (c) Momentum (d) Work

7. If reaction is R and coefficient of friction is , what is work done against friction in moving a body
by distance d.
Rd R
(a) (b) 2Rd
4
M
Rd
(c) Rd (d) d
2

8. Which is a non central force ?

(a) Electrostatic force (b) Nuclear force (c) Gravitational force (d) None of these

AIEEE/JEE-MAINS QUESTIONS

1. A ball of mass 0.2 kg is thrown vertically upwards by applying a force by hand. If the hand moves
0.2 m while applying the force and the ball goes upto 2 m height further, find the magnitude of the
force. Consider g = 10 m/s2.
(a) 4 N (b) 16 N (c) 20 N (d) 22 N

2. A particle moves in a straight line with retardation proportional to its displacement. Its loss of kinetic
energy for any displacement x is proportional to
(a) x (b) e x (c) x 2 (d) logex

3. A uniform chain of length 2 m is kept on a table such that a length of 60 cm hangs freely from the
edge of the table. The total mass of the chain is 4 kg. What is the work done in pulling the entire
chain on the table?
(a) 120 J (b) 3.6 J (c) 7.2 J (d) 1200 J

4. A force F = (5i + 3j + 2k)N is applied over a particle which displaces it from its origin to the point
r = (2i – j)m. The work done on the particle in joules is
(a) + 10 (b) + 7 (c) –7 (d) + 13

5. A body of mass m, accelerates uniformly from rest to v1 in time t1. The instantaneous power delivered
to the body as a function of time t is

m v1 t 2 m v12 t mv1 t m v12 t

(a) (b) 2 (c) (d)
t1 t1 t1 t1

6. The block of mass M moving on the frictionless horizontal surface collides with the spring of spring
constant K and compresses it by length L. The maximum momentum of the block after collision
 is
ML2
(a) zero (b)
K M
KL2
(c) MK L (d)
2M

7. A bomb of mass 16 kg at rest explodes into two pieces of masses 4 kg and 12 kg. The velocity of
the 12 kg mass is 4 ms–1. The kinetic energy of the other mass is
(a) 144 J (b) 288 J (c) 192 J (d) 96 J

8. A mass of M kg is suspended by a weightless string. The horizontal force that is required to displace
it until the string makes an angle of 45° with the initial vertical direction is

Mg
(a) Mg( 2 + 1) (b) Mg 2 (c) (d) Mg( 2 – 1)
2

9. A particle of mass 100 g is thrown vertically upwards with a speed of 5 m/s. The work done by the
force of gravity during the time the particle goes up is
(a) –0.5 J (b) –1.25 J (c) 1.25 J (d) 0.5 J

10. A player caught a cricket ball of mass 150 g moving at a rate of 20 m/s. If the catching process is
completed in 0.1 s, the force of the blow exerted by the ball on the hand of the player is equal to
(a) 150 N (b) 3 N (c) 30 N (d) 300 N

 x4 x 2 
  J
11. The potential energy of a 1 kg particle free to move along the x-axis is given by V(x) =  4 2  .

The total mechanical energy of the particle is 2 J. Then, the maximum speed (in m/s) is
3 1
(a) (b) 2 (c) (d) 2
2 2

12. A wire elongates by l mm when a load W is hanged from it. If the wire goes over a pulley and two
weights W each are hung at the two ends, the elongation of the wire will be (in mm)
(a) l (b) 2l (c) zero (d) l/2

13. A 2 kg block slides on a horizontal floor with a speed of 4 m/s. It strikes a uncompressed spring, and
compresses it till the block is motionless. The kinetic friction force is 15 N and spring constant is
10,000 N/m. The spring compresses by
(a) 11.0 cm (b) 8.5 cm (c) 5.5 cm (d) 2.5 cm

14. An athlete in the Olympic games covers a distance of 100 m in 10 s. His kinetic energy can be
estimated to be in the range
(a) 2 × 105 J – 3 × 105 J (b) 20,000 J – 50,000 J
(c) 2,000 J – 5,000 J (d) 200 J – 500 J

15. The potential energy function for the force between two atoms in a diatomic molecule is approximately
 a b
given by U(x) = 12
 6 where a and b are constants and x is the distance between the atoms. If
x x
the dissociation energy of the molecule is D = [U(x = ) – Uat equilibrium], D is
b2 b2 b2 b2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4a 6a 2a 12a

16. This question has statement 1 and statement 2. Of the four choice given after the statements, choose
the one that best describes the two statements.
If two springs S1 and S2 of force constants k1 and k2, respectively, are stretched by the same force, it
is found that more work is done on spring S1 than on spring S2.
Statement-1: If stretched by the same amount, work done on S1, will be more than that on S2
Statement-2: k1 < k2
(a) Statement 1 is false, Statement 2 is true.
(b) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is false
(c) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is true, Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement1
(d) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is true, Statement 2 is not the correct explanation of Statement 1

17. This question has Statement I and statement II. Of the four choices given after the statements,
choose the one that best describes the two statements.

Statement-I: A point particle of mass m moving with speed v collides with stationary point particle of

1 2  m 
mass M. If the maximum energy loss possible is given as f  mv  then f   
2   M m

Statement-II: Maximum energy loss occurs when the particles get stuck together as a result of the
collision.

(a) Statement-I is true, Statement-II is false.

(b) Statement-I is false, Statement-II is true.
(c) Statement-I is true, Statement-II is true, Statement-II is a correct explanation of Statement-I
(d) Statement-I is true, Statement-II is true, Statement-II is not a correct explanation of Statement-I
 BASIC LEVEL ASSIGNMENT

1. A small disc of mass m slides down a smooth hill of height h without initial velocity and gets onto a plank
of mass M lying on the horizontal plane at the base of hill as shown in the figure. Due to friction between
the disc and the plank, disc slows down and beginning with a certain moment, moves in one piece with
the plank. Find out total work performed by the frictional forces in this process.

2. A block of mass m starts from rest to slide along a smooth

frictionless track of the shape shown in the figure. What
should be height h so that when the mass reaches point A
on the track, it pushes the track with a force equal to thrice
its weight ?

3. Two blocks of masses m1 = 2 kg and m2 = 5 kg are moving in the same direction along a frictionless surface
with speeds 10 m/s and 3 m/s respectively, m2 being ahead of m1. An ideal spring with k = 1120 N/m is
attached to the back side of m2. Find the maximum compression of the spring when the blocks collide.

4. An automobile of mass m accelerates, starting from rest, while the engine supplies constant power
P ; show that :
(a) The velocity is given as a function of time by v = (2 Pt/m)1/2
(b) The position is given as a function of time by s = (8 P/9m)1/2 t3/2.

5. A massless platform is kept on a light elastic spring, as shown in the 0.1 kg

figure. When a sand particle of mass 0.1 kg is dropped on the pan

from a height of 0.2 m, the particle strikes the pan and sticks to it while
the spring compresses by 0.01 m. From what height should the
particle be dropped to cause a compression of 0.04 m ?
6. A spring gun has spring constant 100 N/m. A small ball of mass 0.1 kg is put in its barrel by
compressing the spring through 0.05 m as shown in the figure
(a) Find the velocity of the ball when the spring acquires
v
normal after length after being released.
(b) Where should a box be placed on the ground so
2m
that the ball falls in it, if the ball leaves the gun
horizontally at a height of 2 m above the ground ?
d
(g = 10 m/s2)

7. Two blocks are connected by a string as shown in the

figure. They are released from rest. Show that after
m1
they have moved a distance L, their common speed

is given by 2 ( m2 – m1 ) g L , where  is the

( m1  m2 ) m2

coefficient of friction between the floor and the blocks.

8. A particle of mass m is moving in a circular path of constant radius r such that its centripetal
acceleration ac is varying with time t as ac = k2 rt2 when k is a constant. What is the power delivered
to the particle by the forces acting on it ?

9. A stone with weight w is thrown vertically upward into the air with initial speed v0. If a constant force
f due to air drag acts on the stone throughout its flight :
v 02
(a) Show that the maximum height reached by the stone is h =
2 g [1  ( f / w)]
1/ 2
(b) Show that the speed of the stone upon impact with the ground is v = v0  w – f 
 w f 

10. One end of a spring of natural length h is fixed at the ground and the other end is fitted with a smooth
ring of mass m which is allowed to slide on a horizontal rod fixed at a height h as shown in figure.
Initially, the spring makes an angle of 37º with the vertical when the system is released from rest.
Find the speed of the ring when the spring becomes vertical.
11. Figure shows a smooth track, a part of which is a circle of radius R. A block of mass m is pushed
against a spring of spring constant k fixed at the left end and is then released. Find the initial
compression of the spring so that the block presses the track with a force mg when it reaches the
point P, where the radius of the track is horizontal.

12. A particle of mass 100 g is suspended from one end of a weightless string of length 100 cm and is
allowed to swing in a vertical plane. The speed of the mass is 200 cm/s when the string makes an angle
of 60º with the vertical. Determine
(a) the tension in the string at 60º and
(b) the speed of the particle when it is at the lowest position. (g = 980 cm/s2).

13. A small block of mass m slides along a smooth frictional P

track as shown in the figure.

(a) If it starts from rest at P, what is the resultant force
acting on it at Q ? 5R
(b) At what height above the bottom of the loop should
R
the block be released so that the force it exerts against Q

the track at the top of the loop equals its weight ? R

14. A particle slides along a track with elevated ends and a flat central
part as shown in the figure. The flat part has a length l = 3.0 m. The
A D
curved portions of the track are frictionless. For the flat part the
h
coefficient of kinetic friction is k = 0.20, the particle is released at B C
point A which is at a height h = 1.5 m above the flat part of the track. l

Where does the particle finally come to rest ?

 ADVANCED LEVEL ASSIGNMENT

1. A 0.5 kg block slides from point A on a horizontal track with an initial speed of 3 m/s towards a weightless
spring of length 1 m and having a force constant 2 N/m. The part AB of the track is frictionless and the
part BC has coefficient of static and kinetic friction as 0.22 and 0.20 respectively. If the distances AB
and BD are 2 m and 2.14 m respectively, find the total distance through which the block moves before it
comes to rest completely. (g = 10 m/s2)

2. A particle is suspended from a fixed point by a string of length 5 m. It is projected horizontally from the
equilibrium position with such a speed that the string slackens after the particle has reached a height of
8 m above the lowest point. Find the speed of the particle just before the string slackens and the height
to which the particle will rise further.

3. One end of a light spring of natural length d and spring constant k is fixed on a rigid wall and the
other end is fixed to a smooth ring of mass m which can slide without friction on a vertical rod fixed
at a distance d from the wall. Initially the spring makes Ring
A v=0
an angle of 37º with the horizontal as shown in the
figure. If the system is released from rest, find the l
h
speed find the speed of the ring when the spring
37º
becomes horizontal. [sin 37º = 3/5]. O v
d B
Rod

4. A ring of mass m = 0.3 kg slides over a smooth vertical rod A. Attached to the ring is a light string
passing over a smooth fixed pulley at a distance of 0.8 m from the rod as shown in the figure. At
the other end of the string there is a mass M = 0.5 kg. The ring is held in level with the pulley and
then released. 0.8m A
m
(a) Determine the distance by which the mass m moves C

down before coming to rest for the first time.

(b) How far below the initial position of m is the

M B
equilibrium position of m located ?

5. A string, with one end fixed on a rigid wall, passing over a fixed frictionless pulley at a distance of 2 m
from the wall, has a point mass M = 2 kg attached to it at a distance of 1 m from the wall. A mass m =
0.5 kg attached at the free end is held at rest so that the string is horizontal between the wall and the
pulley and vertical beyond the pulley. Find the speed with which the mass M will hit the wall when the
mass m is released ?
6. Two blocks A and B each having mass of 0.32 kg are
connected by a light string passing over a smooth pulley as
shown in the figure. The horizontal surface on which the
block A slides is smooth. The block A is attached to a spring
of force constant 40 N/m whose other end is fixed to a S
support 0.40 m above the horizontal surface. Initially, when A
m
the system is released to move, the spring is vertical and
unstrectched. Find the velocity of the block A at the instant
it breaks off the surface below it. m B

[g = 10 m/s²]

7. A block of mass m is held at rest on a smooth horizontal P

floor. A light frictionless, small pulley is fixed at a height of 6m

B
6 m from the floor. A light inextensible string of lengh
A 5m
16m, connected with A passes over the pulley and another
another identical block B is hung from the string. Initial height of B is 5 m from the floor as shown
in the figure. When the system is released from rest, B starts to move vertically downwards and A
slides on the floor towards right.
(a) If at an instant the string makes an angle  with the horizontal, calculate relation between
velocity u of A and velocity v of B.
(b) Calculate v when B strikes the floor. (g = 10 m/s2)

8. A horizontal plane supports a plank with a bar of mass 1 kg placed on it

and attached by a light elastic non-deformed cord of length 40 cm to a O
m
point O as shown in the figure. The co-efficient of friction between the F
bar and plank is 0.2. The plank is slowly shifted to the right until the bar
starts sliding over it. It occurs at the moment when the cord deviates from the vertical by 30º. Find
the work that has been performed till that moment by the friction force acting on the bar in the
reference frame fixed to the plane.

9. A body of mass m was slowly pulled up the hill as shown in the figure,
by a force F which at each point was directed along a tangent to the
trajectory. Find the work performed by this force, if the height of the F
m
hill is h, the length of its base l, and the co-efficient of friction h
between m
and the hill is . l
10. A chain A B of length l is loaded in a smooth horizontal tube
so that a part of its length h hangs freely and touches the A

surface of the table with its end B. At a certain moment,

h
the end A of the chain is set free, with what velocity will
B
this end of the chain slip out of the tube ?

11. A system consists of two identical cubes, each of mass m, linked together by the compressed weightless
spring of spring constant k. The cubes are also connected by a thread which is burned through at a
certain moment. Find:
(a) at what values of l, the initial compression of the spring, m
the lower cube will bounce up after the thread has been
burned through:
(b) to what height h the centre of gravity of this system will m
rise if the initial compression of the spring l = 7 mg/k

12. A nail is located at a certain distance vertically below the point of suspension of a simple pendulum. The
pendulum bob is released from the position where the string makes an angle of 60º with the downward
vertical. Find the distance of the nail from the point of suspension such that the bob will just perform a
complete revolution with the nail as centre. The length of the pendulum is 1 m.

13. A particle is suspended vertically from a point O by an inextensible

A
O
massless string of length L. A vertical line A B is at a distance of
L/8
L / 8 from O as shown in the figure. The particle is given a horizontal
L
velocity u. At some point, its motion ceases to be circular and
eventually the object passes through the line A B. At the instant of crossing u
B
A B, its velocity is horizontal. Find u.

14. A spherical ball of mass m is kept at the highest point in the

space between two fixed, concentric spheres A and B (see
figure). The smaller sphere A has a radius R and the space Sphere B

between the two spheres has a width d. The ball has a 

d
diameter very slightly less than d. All surfaces are frictionless. O
R
The ball is given a gentle push (towards the right in the figure).
The angle made by the radius vector of the ball with the Sphere A
upwards vertical is denoted by (shown in the figure).
(a) Express the total normal reaction force exerted by the spheres on the ball as a function of angle .
(b) Let NA and NB denote the magnitudes of the normal reaction forces on the ball exerted by the
spheres A and B, respectively. Sketch the variations of NA and NB as functions of cos  in the
range 0     by drawing two separate graphs in your answer book, taking cos  on the
horizontal axes.
15. A smooth light horizontal rod AB can rotate about a vertical axis passing through its end A. The rod is
fitted with a small sleeve of mass m attached to the end A by a weightless spring of length l and spring
0
constant k. What work must be performed to slowly get this system going and reaching the angular
velocity ?

16. A small block of mass m slides along a friction less loop the loop (loop inside loop) track. What should be
the ratio of radius of outer loop to the radius of the inner loop so that the block may not loose contact at
highest point of the inner loop.
17. Figure shows a smooth track which consists of
a straight inclined part of length L joining smoothly R
with the circular part. A particle of mass m is L
v
projected up the inclined from its bottom.
(a) Find the minimum projection speed u0 for
which the particle reaches the top of track. 

(b) Assuming that the projection speed is 2u0 and that the block does’t lose contact with the track
before reaching its top. Find the force acting on it when it reaches the top.
(c) Assuming that the projection speed is only slightly greater than v0, where will the block lose con-
tact with the track?

18. A chain of mass m and length l is placed symmetrically on a pulley of mass M

(=2m) and radius R (=l/8) as shown. If the chain is given a slight pull on one side,
M
R
find the velocity of the chain when the other end reaches the highest position on
the pulley. The surface of pulley in contact with the chain is rough
m
enough to prevent any slipping.

19. A body of mass m is hauled from the Earth’s surface by applying a force F varying with the height of
ascent y as F = 2 (ay –1) mg, where a is a positive constant. Find
(a) the work performed by this force
(b) the increment of the body’s potential energy in the gravitational field of the Earth over the first
half of the ascent.
20. The system of mass A and B shown in the figure is released from rest with x = 0, determine
(a) the velocity of mass B when x = 3m.
(b) the maximum displacement of mass B.

4m 4m

m B
 ANSWERS
Objective Questions
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (a) 5. (d)
6. (d) 7. (a) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (b)

11. (a) 12. (a) 13. (d) 14. (c) 15. (b)

16. (b) 17. (b) 18. (b) 19. (b) 20. (d)

21. (a) 22. (c) 23. (b) 24. (d) 25. (a)

26. (c) 27. (b) 28. (b) 29. (c) 30. (a)

31. (a,d) 32. (a,b,d) 33. (b,c) 34. (b,c) 35. (c,d)

36. (a,b,d) 37. (b,c) 38. (a,c) 39. (a,c,d) 40. (a,c,d)

Miscellaneous Assignment
1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (a) 5. (b)

6. (d) 7. (a) 8. (b) 9. A-(s); B-(q); C-(r); D-(p)

10. A-(p); B-(r); C-(s); D-(q)

11. (2) 12. (4) 13. (2) 14. (5) 15. (5)

16. (5) 17. (5) 18. (5) 19. (5) 20. (9)

Previous Year Questions

IIT-JEE/JEE-ADVANCE QUESTIONS
1. (c) 2. (b, d) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (c)
6. (d) 7. 8 8. (c) 9. (d) 10. (5)
11. (c) 12. (d) 13. (4)
DCE QUESTIONS
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (a)
6. (d) 7. (c) 8. (b)

MAINS QUESTIONS
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b)
6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (d) 9. (b) 10. (c)
11. (a) 12. (a) 13. (c) 14. (c) 15. (a)
16. (c) 17. (a)
Basic Level Assignment
 M 
1. mgh  2. 4R 3. 0.25 m
 M m 
5. 3.96 m 6. (a) 2.5 m / s (b) 1 m

h k 3mg R
8. m k2r2 t 10. 11.
4 m k
12. 8.9 × 104 dynes, 37 cm/s 13. (a) ( 65 ) mg (b) 3 R 14. At the centre of flat part.

Advanced Level Assignment

3g k
1. 4.24 m. 2. 5.42 m/s, 0.97 m 3. d 
2d 16m

4. (a) 1.5 m (b) 0.6m 5. 3.3 m/s 6. 1.54 m/s

40
7. 8. 0.09 J 9. mgh + mgl
41

3mg 8mg
10. 2 gh ln (l / h) 11. (a) l > (b) h  12. 0.8 m
k k

13. 2.14 gL 14. (a) N = mg (3 cos  –2)

(b) for  cos–1 (2/3), NB = 0, NA = mg (3 cos –2) and for  cos–1 (2/3) NA = 0, NB = mg (2–3 cos )

kl02 x (1  x ) m 2
15. W= 2 where x  16. R : r = 5 : 2
2(1  x) k

 L 
17. (a) 2 g[R(1  cos )  L sin ] (b) 6mg 1  cos   sin  
 R 

2
(c) The radius through the particle makes an angle cos 1   with the vertical
3

 136  2  3mg mg
18. V    gl
 19. (a) (b) U = 20. 5 m/s, 8 2 m
 512  4a 2a