Year: 1993
Paper: 3
Question Number: 13
Course: zNo longer examinable
Section: Moments of inertia
No solution available for this problem.
Difficulty Rating: 1700.0
Difficulty Comparisons: 0
Banger Rating: 1484.0
Banger Comparisons: 1
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\noindent
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A uniform circular disc with radius $a$, mass $4m$ and centre $O$ is freely
mounted on a fixed horizontal axis which is
perpendicular to its plane and passes through $O$. A uniform heavy chain
$PS$ of length $(4+\pi)a$, mass $(4+\pi)m$ and negligible thickness is
hung over the rim of the disc as shown in the diagram: $Q$ and $R$ are
the points of the chain at the same level as $O$. The contact between the
chain and the rim of the disc is sufficiently rough to prevent slipping.
Initially, the system is at rest with $PQ=RS =2a$. A particle of mass
$m$ is attached to the chain at $P$ and the system is released.
By considering the energy of the system, show that when $P$ has descended
a distance $x$, its speed $v$ is given by
$$
(\pi+7)av^2 = 2g(x^2+ax).
$$
By considering the part $PQ$ of the chain as a body of variable mass, show
that when $S$ reaches $R$ the tension in the chain at $Q$ is
$$
{5\pi -2 \over \pi +7} mg.
$$