6.04b Find centre of mass: using symmetry

225 questions

Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
Edexcel M2 2015 June Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{1822f86a-9089-44af-ab36-6006adfeb5b9-03_709_620_116_667} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} The uniform lamina \(O A B C D\), shown in Figure 1, is formed by removing the triangle \(O A D\) from the square \(A B C D\) with centre \(O\). The square has sides of length \(2 a\).
  1. Show that the centre of mass of \(O A B C D\) is \(\frac { 2 } { 9 } a\) from \(O\). The mass of the lamina is \(M\). A particle of mass \(k M\) is attached to the lamina at \(D\) to form the system \(S\). The system \(S\) is freely suspended from \(A\) and hangs in equilibrium with \(A O\) vertical.
  2. Find the value of \(k\).
Edexcel M2 2017 June Q3
9 marks Standard +0.8
3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{64b0abc9-4021-44e6-8bf7-1a5862617085-08_744_369_246_447} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{64b0abc9-4021-44e6-8bf7-1a5862617085-08_538_593_452_1023} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} The uniform rectangular lamina \(A B D E\), shown in Figure 1, has side \(A B\) of length \(2 a\) and side \(B D\) of length \(6 a\). The point \(C\) divides \(B D\) in the ratio 1:2 and the point \(F\) divides \(E A\) in the ratio \(1 : 2\). The rectangular lamina is folded along \(F C\) to produce the folded lamina \(L\), shown in Figure 2.
  1. Show that the centre of mass of \(L\) is \(\frac { 16 } { 9 } a\) from \(E F\). The folded lamina, \(L\), is freely suspended from \(C\) and hangs in equilibrium.
  2. Find the size of the angle between \(C F\) and the downward vertical.
Edexcel M3 2016 January Q6
14 marks Challenging +1.2
6. (a) Use algebraic integration to show that the centre of mass of a uniform solid hemisphere of radius \(r\) is at a distance \(\frac { 3 } { 8 } r\) from the centre of its plane face.
[0pt] [You may assume that the volume of a sphere of radius \(r\) is \(\frac { 4 } { 3 } \pi r ^ { 3 }\) ]
(5) \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ffe0bc72-3136-48d9-9d5b-4a364d134070-09_351_597_598_678} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} A uniform solid hemisphere of mass \(m\) and radius \(r\) is joined to a uniform solid right circular cone to form a solid \(S\). The cone has mass \(M\), base radius \(r\) and height \(4 r\). The vertex of the cone is \(O\). The plane face of the cone coincides with the plane face of the hemisphere, as shown in Figure 3.
(b) Find the distance of the centre of mass of \(S\) from \(O\). The point \(A\) lies on the circumference of the base of the cone. The solid is placed on a horizontal table with \(O A\) in contact with the table. The solid remains in equilibrium in this position.
(c) Show that \(M \geqslant \frac { 1 } { 10 } m\)
Edexcel M3 2018 January Q1
5 marks Standard +0.3
1. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{d93ae982-9395-4311-9972-be727b3ce954-02_333_890_264_529} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A uniform solid \(S\) consists of a right solid circular cone of base radius \(r\) and a right solid cylinder, also of radius \(r\). The cone has height \(4 h\) and the centre of the plane face of the cone is \(O\). The cylinder has height \(3 h\). The cone and cylinder are joined so that the plane face of the cone coincides with one of the plane faces of the cylinder, as shown in Figure 1. Find the distance from \(O\) to the centre of mass of \(S\).
Edexcel M3 2024 January Q5
16 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. (a) Use algebraic integration to show that the centre of mass of a uniform semicircular disc of radius \(r\) and centre \(O\) is at a distance \(\frac { 4 r } { 3 \pi }\) from the diameter through \(O\) [You may assume, without proof, that the area of a circle of radius \(r\) is \(\pi r ^ { 2 }\) ]
A uniform lamina L is in the shape of a semicircle with centre \(B\) and diameter \(A C = 8 a\). The semicircle with diameter \(A B\) is removed from \(L\) and attached to the straight edge \(B C\) to form the template \(T\), shown shaded in Figure 4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{92131234-bfc1-4e0e-87d4-db9335fbf343-16_419_1273_680_397} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 4}
\end{figure} The distance of the centre of mass of \(T\) from \(A C\) is \(d\).
(b) Show that \(d = \frac { 4 a } { \pi }\) The template \(T\) is freely suspended from \(A\) and hangs in equilibrium with \(A C\) at an angle \(\theta\) to the downward vertical.
(c) Find the exact value of \(\tan \theta\)
Edexcel M3 Q2
Challenging +1.2
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ab85ec29-b1fc-45a9-9343-09feb33ab6c5-004_513_399_303_785}
\end{figure} A uniform solid right circular cone has base radius \(a\) and semi-vertical angle \(\alpha\), where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 3 }\). The cone is freely suspended by a string attached at a point \(A\) on the rim of its base, and hangs in equilibrium with its axis of symmetry making an angle of \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) with the upward vertical, as shown in Figure 1. Find, to one decimal place, the value of \(\theta\).
Edexcel M3 Q6
Standard +0.3
6. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 4} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ab85ec29-b1fc-45a9-9343-09feb33ab6c5-010_515_1015_319_477}
\end{figure} The shaded region \(R\) is bounded by the curve with equation \(y = \frac { 1 } { 2 x ^ { 2 } }\), the \(x\)-axis and the lines \(x = 1\) and \(x = 2\), as shown in Figure 4. The unit of length on each axis is 1 m . A uniform solid \(S\) has the shape made by rotating \(R\) through \(360 ^ { \circ }\) about the \(x\)-axis.
  1. Show that the centre of mass of \(S\) is \(\frac { 2 } { 7 } \mathrm {~m}\) from its larger plane face. \begin{figure}[h]
    \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 5} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ab85ec29-b1fc-45a9-9343-09feb33ab6c5-010_616_431_1420_778}
    \end{figure} A sporting trophy \(T\) is a uniform solid hemisphere \(H\) joined to the solid \(S\). The hemisphere has radius \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \mathrm {~m}\) and its plane face coincides with the larger plane face of \(S\), as shown in Figure 5. Both \(H\) and \(S\) are made of the same material.
  2. Find the distance of the centre of mass of \(T\) from its plane face.
Edexcel M3 2003 January Q2
9 marks Standard +0.3
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{044c5866-0a12-4309-8ced-b463e1615fb0-2_389_601_1362_693}
\end{figure} A light inextensible string of length \(8 l\) has its ends fixed to two points \(A\) and \(B\), where \(A\) is vertically above \(B\). A small smooth ring of mass \(m\) is threaded on the string. The ring is moving with constant speed in a horizontal circle with centre \(B\) and radius 3l, as shown in Fig. 2. Find
  1. the tension in the string,
  2. the speed of the ring.
  3. State briefly in what way your solution might no longer be valid if the ring were firmly attached to the string.
    (1) \section*{3.} \section*{Figure 3}
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{044c5866-0a12-4309-8ced-b463e1615fb0-3_564_1051_438_541}
    A child's toy consists of a uniform solid hemisphere attached to a uniform solid cylinder. The plane face of the hemisphere coincides with the plane face of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 3. The cylinder and the hemisphere each have radius \(r\), and the height of the cylinder is \(h\). The material of the hemisphere is 6 times as dense as the material of the cylinder. The toy rests in equilibrium on a horizontal plane with the cylinder above the hemisphere and the axis of the cylinder vertical.
Edexcel M3 2004 January Q6
12 marks Standard +0.8
6. Figure 2 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c4b453e7-8a32-458b-8041-58c9e4ef9533-5_691_1067_241_584} A uniform solid cylinder has radius \(2 a\) and height \(\frac { 3 } { 2 } a\). A hemisphere of radius \(a\) is removed from the cylinder. The plane face of the hemisphere coincides with the upper plane face of the cylinder, and the centre \(O\) of the hemisphere is also the centre of this plane face, as shown in Fig. 2. The remaining solid is \(S\).
  1. Find the distance of the centre of mass of \(S\) from \(O\).
    (6) The lower plane face of \(S\) rests in equilibrium on a desk lid which is inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal. Assuming that the lid is sufficiently rough to prevent \(S\) from slipping, and that \(S\) is on the point of toppling when \(\theta = \alpha\),
  2. find the value of \(\alpha\).
    (3) Given instead that the coefficient of friction between \(S\) and the lid is 0.8 , and that \(S\) is on the point of sliding down the lid when \(\theta = \beta\),
  3. find the value of \(\beta\).
    (3)
Edexcel M3 2007 January Q2
5 marks Challenging +1.3
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{25b3ece7-69ed-4ec4-a6c7-4cd83ec2cc5e-03_513_399_303_785}
\end{figure} A uniform solid right circular cone has base radius \(a\) and semi-vertical angle \(\alpha\), where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 1 } { 3 }\). The cone is freely suspended by a string attached at a point \(A\) on the rim of its base, and hangs in equilibrium with its axis of symmetry making an angle of \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) with the upward vertical, as shown in Figure 1. Find, to one decimal place, the value of \(\theta\).
Edexcel M3 2004 June Q5
13 marks Standard +0.3
5. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{b9e9b91c-7e6d-4b84-9f0e-180b626887c2-3_522_659_1043_701}
\end{figure} A toy is formed by joining a uniform solid right circular cone, of base radius \(3 r\) and height \(4 r\), to a uniform solid cylinder, also of radius \(3 r\) and height \(4 r\). The cone and the cylinder are made from the same material, and the plane face of the cone coincides with a plane face of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 2. The centre of this plane face is \(O\).
  1. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the toy from \(O\). The point \(A\) lies on the edge of the plane face of the cylinder which forms the base of the toy. The toy is suspended from \(A\) and hangs in equilibrium.
  2. Find, in degrees to one decimal place, the angle between the axis of symmetry of the toy and the vertical. The toy is placed with the curved surface of the cone on horizontal ground.
  3. Determine whether the toy will topple.
    (4)
Edexcel M3 2005 June Q2
9 marks Standard +0.3
2. A closed container \(C\) consists of a thin uniform hollow hemispherical bowl of radius \(a\), together with a lid. The lid is a thin uniform circular disc, also of radius \(a\). The centre \(O\) of the disc coincides with the centre of the hemispherical bowl. The bowl and its lid are made of the same material.
  1. Show that the centre of mass of \(C\) is at a distance \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } a\) from \(O\). The container \(C\) has mass \(M\). A particle of mass \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } M\) is attached to the container at a point \(P\) on the circumference of the lid. The container is then placed with a point of its curved surface in contact with a horizontal plane. The container rests in equilibrium with \(P , O\) and the point of contact in the same vertical plane.
  2. Find, to the nearest degree, the angle made by the line \(P O\) with the horizontal.
Edexcel M3 2013 June Q6
15 marks Challenging +1.2
6. (a) A uniform lamina is in the shape of a quadrant of a circle of radius \(a\). Show, by integration, that the centre of mass of the lamina is at a distance of \(\frac { 4 a } { 3 \pi }\) from each of its straight edges. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{daa795f0-2c5e-4617-a295-fbe74c22be4a-10_809_802_484_571} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} A second uniform lamina \(A B C D E F A\) is shown shaded in Figure 3. The straight sides \(A C\) and \(A E\) are perpendicular and \(A C = A E = 2 a\). In the figure, the midpoint of \(A C\) is \(B\), the midpoint of \(A E\) is \(F\), and \(A B D F\) and \(D G E F\) are squares of side \(a\). \(B C D\) is a quadrant of a circle with centre \(B\). \(D G E\) is a quadrant of a circle with centre \(G\).
(b) Find the distance of the centre of mass of the lamina from the side \(A E\). The lamina is smoothly hinged to a horizontal axis which passes through \(E\) and is perpendicular to the plane of the lamina. The lamina has weight \(W\) newtons. The lamina is held in equilibrium in a vertical plane, with \(A\) vertically above \(E\), by a horizontal force of magnitude \(X\) newtons applied at \(C\).
(c) Find \(X\) in terms of \(W\).
Edexcel M3 2013 June Q5
13 marks Standard +0.8
5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f6ab162c-8473-4464-ad62-87a359d85ab3-08_622_1186_251_443} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} The shaded region \(R\) is bounded by the curve with equation \(y = ( x + 1 ) ^ { 2 }\), the \(x\)-axis, the \(y\)-axis and the line with equation \(x = 2\), as shown in Figure 3. The region \(R\) is rotated through \(2 \pi\) radians about the \(x\)-axis to form a uniform solid \(S\).
  1. Use algebraic integration to find the \(x\) coordinate of the centre of mass of \(S\).
    (8) \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f6ab162c-8473-4464-ad62-87a359d85ab3-08_558_492_1263_703} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 4}
    \end{figure} A uniform solid hemisphere is fixed to \(S\) to form a solid \(T\). The hemisphere has the same radius as the smaller plane face of \(S\) and its plane face coincides with the smaller plane face of \(S\), as shown in Figure 4. The mass per unit volume of the hemisphere is 10 times the mass per unit volume of \(S\). The centre of the circular plane face of \(T\) is \(A\). All lengths are measured in centimetres.
  2. Find the distance of the centre of mass of \(T\) from \(A\).
Edexcel M3 2014 June Q3
7 marks Challenging +1.2
3. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{e500e20b-9060-4c69-af13-fb97b9a86dfd-05_639_422_223_769} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a container in the shape of a uniform right circular conical shell of height 6r. The radius of the open circular face is \(r\). The container is suspended by two vertical strings attached to two points at opposite ends of a diameter of the open circular face. It hangs with the open circular face uppermost and axis vertical. Molten wax is poured into the container. The wax solidifies and adheres to the container, forming a uniform solid right circular cone. The depth of the wax in the container is \(2 r\). The container together with the wax forms a solid \(S\). The mass of the container when empty is \(m\) and the mass of the wax in the container is \(3 m\).
  1. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the solid \(S\) from the vertex of the container. One of the strings is now removed and the solid \(S\) hangs freely in equilibrium suspended by the remaining vertical string.
  2. Find the size of the angle between the axis of the container and the downward vertical.
Edexcel M3 2015 June Q5
6 marks Challenging +1.2
5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{00388805-5d60-4327-a10e-c0df74a0cb75-09_403_790_210_577} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a uniform solid spindle which is made by joining together the circular faces of two right circular cones. The common circular face has radius \(r\) and centre \(O\). The smaller cone has height \(h\) and the larger cone has height \(k h\). The point \(A\) lies on the circumference of the common circular face. The spindle is suspended from \(A\) and hangs freely in equilibrium with \(A O\) at an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the vertical. Show that \(k = \frac { 4 r } { h \sqrt { 3 } } + 1\)
Edexcel M3 2016 June Q3
9 marks Standard +0.3
3. One end of a light elastic string, of natural length 1.5 m and modulus of elasticity 14.7 N ,
3. One end of a light elastic string, of natural length 1.5 m and modulus of elasticity 14.7 N , is attached to a fixed point \(O\) on a ceiling. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.6 kg is attached to the free end of the string. The particle is held at \(O\) and released from rest. The particle comes to instantaneous rest for the first time at the point \(A\). Find
  1. the distance \(O A\),
  2. the magnitude of the instantaneous acceleration of \(P\) at \(A\).
    \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{4c1c51ff-6ae8-402d-b303-b656d26e4230-05_620_956_118_500} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{igure 2}
    \end{figure} A uniform solid \(S\) consists of two right circular cones of base radius \(r\). The smaller cone has height \(2 h\) and the centre of the plane face of this cone is \(O\). The larger cone has height \(k h\) where \(k > 2\). The two cones are joined so that their plane faces coincide, as shown in Figure 2.
    1. Show that the distance of the centre of mass of \(S\) from \(O\) is $$\frac { h } { 4 } ( k - 2 )$$ The point \(A\) lies on the circumference of the base of one of the cones. The solid is suspended by a string attached at \(A\) and hangs freely in equilibrium. Given that \(r = 3 h\) and \(k = 6\)
    2. find the size of the angle between \(A O\) and the vertical.
Edexcel M3 2016 June Q4
8 marks Standard +0.3
4. A uniform solid \(S\) consists of two right circular cones of base rate
has height \(2 h\) and the centre of the plane face of this cone is \(O\). T \(k h\) where \(k > 2\). The two cones are joined so that their plane fac
Figure 2 .
  1. Show that the distance of the centre of mass of \(S\) from \(O\) is \(\frac { h } { 4 } ( k - 2 )\)
Edexcel M3 2017 June Q4
9 marks Standard +0.3
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{698b44b5-801c-45ec-b9de-021e44487edb-10_570_410_237_826} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} A thin uniform right hollow cylinder, of radius \(a\) and height \(4 a\), has a base but no top. A thin uniform hemispherical shell, also of radius \(a\), is made of the same material as the cylinder. The hemispherical shell is attached to the open end of the cylinder forming a container \(C\). The open circular rim of the cylinder coincides with the rim of the hemispherical shell. The centre of the base of \(C\) is \(O\), as shown in Figure 3.
  1. Find the distance from \(O\) to the centre of mass of \(C\). The container is placed with its circular base on a plane which is inclined at \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal. The plane is sufficiently rough to prevent \(C\) from sliding. The container is on the point of toppling.
  2. Find the value of \(\theta\).
Edexcel M2 Q2
Standard +0.3
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{173a2029-a0b8-437f-9339-5a1b6f30a8e3-004_378_652_294_630}
\end{figure} A thin uniform wire, of total length 20 cm , is bent to form a frame. The frame is in the shape of a trapezium \(A B C D\), where \(A B = A D = 4 \mathrm {~cm} , C D = 5 \mathrm {~cm}\), and \(A B\) is perpendicular to \(B C\) and \(A D\), as shown in Figure 1.
  1. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the frame from \(A B\). The frame has mass \(M\). A particle of mass \(k M\) is attached to the frame at \(C\). When the frame is freely suspended from the mid-point of \(B C\), the frame hangs in equilibrium with \(B C\) horizontal.
  2. Find the value of \(k\).
Edexcel M2 2016 January Q5
10 marks Standard +0.3
5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{e6d100ff-dd4a-4591-a0a3-81761773045e-09_689_581_237_683} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} The uniform lamina \(A B C D E F\), shown in Figure 2, consists of two identical rectangles with sides of length \(a\) and \(3 a\). The mass of the lamina is \(M\). A particle of mass \(k M\) is attached to the lamina at \(E\). The lamina, with the attached particle, is freely suspended from \(A\) and hangs in equilibrium with \(A F\) at an angle \(\theta\) to the downward vertical. Given that \(\tan \theta = \frac { 4 } { 7 }\), find the value of \(k\).
(10)
Edexcel M2 2005 June Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{3847deb8-d86e-4254-828f-5d62f20c186f-03_378_652_294_630}
\end{figure} A thin uniform wire, of total length 20 cm , is bent to form a frame. The frame is in the shape of a trapezium \(A B C D\), where \(A B = A D = 4 \mathrm {~cm} , C D = 5 \mathrm {~cm}\), and \(A B\) is perpendicular to \(B C\) and \(A D\), as shown in Figure 1.
  1. Find the distance of the centre of mass of the frame from \(A B\). The frame has mass \(M\). A particle of mass \(k M\) is attached to the frame at \(C\). When the frame is freely suspended from the mid-point of \(B C\), the frame hangs in equilibrium with \(B C\) horizontal.
  2. Find the value of \(k\).
CAIE FP2 2015 June Q5
11 marks Challenging +1.8
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{833c338f-53c1-436e-a772-0cdaf17fa72d-3_316_949_1320_598} The end \(B\) of a uniform rod \(A B\), of mass \(3 M\) and length \(4 a\), is rigidly attached to a point on the circumference of a uniform disc. The disc has centre \(O\), mass \(2 M\) and radius \(a\), and \(A B O\) is a straight line. The disc and the rod are in the same vertical plane. A particle \(P\), of mass \(M\), is attached to the rod at a distance \(k a\) from \(A\), where \(k\) is a positive constant (see diagram). Show that the moment of inertia of this system, about a fixed horizontal axis \(l\) through \(A\) perpendicular to the plane of the disc, is \(\left( 67 + k ^ { 2 } \right) M a ^ { 2 }\). The system is free to rotate about \(l\) and performs small oscillations of period \(4 \pi \sqrt { } \left( \frac { a } { g } \right)\). Find the possible values of \(k\).
CAIE FP2 2016 June Q5
12 marks Challenging +1.8
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{3e224c82-68df-427e-a59b-7dc2bfd716a2-3_727_517_258_813} A thin uniform \(\operatorname { rod } A B\) has mass \(\frac { 3 } { 4 } m\) and length \(3 a\). The end \(A\) of the rod is rigidly attached to a point on the circumference of a uniform disc with centre \(C\), mass \(m\) and radius \(a\). The end \(B\) of the rod is rigidly attached to a point on the circumference of a uniform disc with centre \(D\), mass \(4 m\) and radius \(2 a\). The discs and the rod are in the same plane and \(C A B D\) is a straight line. The mid-point of \(C D\) is \(O\). The object consisting of the two discs and the rod is free to rotate about a fixed smooth horizontal axis \(l\), through \(O\) in the plane of the object and perpendicular to the rod (see diagram). Show that the moment of inertia of the object about \(l\) is \(50 m a ^ { 2 }\). The object hangs in equilibrium with \(D\) vertically below \(C\). It is displaced through a small angle and released from rest, so that it makes small oscillations about the horizontal axis \(l\). Show that it will move in approximate simple harmonic motion and state the period of the motion.
CAIE FP2 2012 November Q1
5 marks Standard +0.8
1 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{d3e9a568-a9ea-483e-8e65-90fdc4a69781-2_216_1205_253_470} A rigid body consists of two uniform circular discs, each of mass \(m\) and radius \(a\), the centres of which are rigidly attached to the ends \(A\) and \(B\) of a uniform rod of mass \(3 m\) and length \(10 a\). The discs and the rod are in the same plane and \(O\) is the point on the rod such that \(A O = 4 a\) (see diagram). Show that the moment of inertia of the body about an axis through \(O\) perpendicular to the plane of the discs is \(81 m a ^ { 2 }\).