Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-course-of-the-year-4-of-the-natural-sciences-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2012/paper-1/section-a/a2/solution

For an elastic eccentric impact of a thin disc, take upward velocity as positive and let be the short upward impulse. The disc's moment of inertia about a horizontal diameter is . With impact offset ,
The contact point has upward velocity . Unit restitution against the fixed post requires that velocity to be , so
Since , and the centre's instantaneous speed is zero. The disc rotates with ; its rotational kinetic energy equals the entire initial energy. Gravity's impulse during the impact is neglected. Using the polar-axis moment of inertia would describe the wrong rotation axis.

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