Past exam of the physics 1 paper of the University of Oxford / 2022 / 10

For an equal-speed elastic impact on a free rod, let $h$ be the signed distance of the impact point from the rod's center of mass, $I=m{l}^2/12$, and $\mathcal{J}$ the horizontal impulse delivered to the rod. For a smooth impact the impulse is perpendicular to the rod. If the ball's signed final velocity is $u$, the rod's center of mass velocity is $V$ and its angular velocity is $\omega$, momentum balance and angular impulse giveBoth objects have positive final translational velocities for a nonzero impact away from the centre. More explicitly, restitution in an elastic collision gives $V+\omega h-u=v_0$, and henceEqual final speeds thus require $u=V=v_0/2$. One can also see that the alternative $u=-V$ would violate $u+V=v_0$.

By conservation of kinetic energy in the elastic collision,Thus $I{\omega }^2=m{v}_0^2/2$. Since $I\omega =mVh=m{v}_{0}h/2$, elimination of $\omega$ givesEither side of the center of mass works; the nearer end is a distance $l(1/2-1/\sqrt{6})$ away. The final angular speed is $|\omega |=\sqrt{6}{v}_0/l$. These values also satisfy the restitution condition because the struck point's velocity is $V+\omega h=3v_0/2$, reversing the initial relative contact velocity.

The free rod has the same mass $m$ and length $l$ as in part (a). There is no pivot. Put the rod's initial center of mass at $y=0$ and the impact end at $y=l/2$. At impact the combined center of mass isConservation of momentum gives the combined center of mass velocity $V_C=v_0/2$. Evaluate angular momentum about this combined center of mass; the incident ball's perpendicular lever arm is $l/4$, so its initial magnitude is $m{v}_{0}l/4$.

After the perfectly inelastic collision, the parallel axis theorem gives the combined moment of inertiaWith negligible external angular impulse, conservation of angular momentum therefore givesIts sense is that of the incident ball's angular momentum, clockwise in the source diagram. As a consistency check, the final kinetic energy isThus $m{v}_0^2/10$, or one fifth of the initial kinetic energy, is dissipated in sticking. Treating the rod's original centre as a fixed pivot would give an incorrect angular velocity.

Let $a$ be the center of mass acceleration downhill and $F$ the uphill static friction. Translation and rotation about the center of mass obeyThe rolling without slipping constraint is $a=r\alpha$. For the coin's moment of inertia $I=m{r}^2/2$, this gives $F=ma/2$, soThe normal force is $N=mg\cos \theta$. Static friction can enforce rolling without slipping only if $F\le \mu N$, givingThe static friction acts uphill to provide the torque; it is not automatically equal to $\mu N$, attaining that limiting value only at the threshold. For finite $\mu \ge 0$ the result lies between $0$ and $\pi /2$.