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ExamsJEE AdvancedPhysics

A uniform rigid rod of length l and mass m is hinged at one end O and can rotate in a vertical plane. Initially it is held vertically. When released from rest, it rotates about O (all surfaces are frictionless). Which of the following statements is/are correct? (A) The magnitude of the hinge force when the rod becomes horizontal is (sqrt(37)/4) mg. (B) The centre of mass undergoes uniform circular motion. (C) The hinge force is directed along the +y axis when the centre of mass is at its lowest position. (D) The mechanical energy of the rod is not conserved during the motion.

  1. (A)
  2. (B)
  3. (C)
  4. (D)

Correct answer: (A)

Solution

Statement A: When rod is horizontal, energy conservation: mg*(l/2) = (1/2)*(ml²/3)*omega² => omega² = 3g/l. Torque about O: tau = mg*(l/2) (weight acts at CM). I*alpha = mg*(l/2) => (ml²/3)*alpha = mgl/2 => alpha = 3g/(2l). At CM (l/2 from O): centripetal acceleration a_c = omega²*(l/2) = 3g/2 (directed toward O, i.e., horizontal, along -x if rod is along +x). Tangential acceleration aₜ = alpha*(l/2) = 3g/4 (directed downward when rod horizontal). Net force on rod: F_net = m*a. From Newton's 2nd law for rod: Hₓ - 0 = m*(-3g/2) [Hₓ is horizontal hinge force, centripetal toward O is in -x direction]. Wait: when rod is horizontal (along x-axis), centripetal acceleration is directed toward O which is at origin, so in -x direction. Tangential acceleration is perpendicular to rod and in -y direction (downward). Sum of forces on rod: Hₓ + 0 = m*aₓ = m*(-3g/2)... no. Let me use: Sigma Fₓ = m*a_CMₓ. a_CMₓ = -omega²*(l/2) = -3g/2 (centripetal, toward O when rod horizontal along +x). Sigma F_y = m*a_CM_y. a_CM_y = alpha*(l/2) downward? When rod is horizontal, alpha is counterclockwise (rod accelerating angularly), so tangential acc at CM is perpendicular to rod... In horizontal position, rod along +x. Tangential acc is in -y direction (downward, as gravity makes rod rotate downward). Sigma F_y = H_y - mg = m*(-3g/4). H_y = mg - 3mg/4 = mg/4. Hₓ = m*(-3g/2) (centripetal toward O) = -3mg/2? Then hinge force: Sigma Fₓ = Hₓ = m*a_CMₓ: the only horizontal force is hinge (weight is vertical). Hₓ = -3mg/2 (but we want magnitude). H_y: Sigma F_y = H_y - mg = m*a_CM_y = m*(-3g/4). H_y = mg - 3mg/4 = mg/4. |H| = sqrt(Hₓ² + H_y²) = sqrt((3mg/2)² + (mg/4)²) = mg*sqrt(9/4 + 1/16) = mg*sqrt(36/16 + 1/16) = mg*sqrt(37/16) = mg*sqrt(37)/4. Statement A is CORRECT. Statement B: The CM moves in a circle (constant radius l/2 from O), but the speed changes (non-uniform circular motion since alpha != 0). NOT uniform. B is incorrect. Statement C: Lowest position of CM means rod is horizontal. At this point, hinge force is not purely along +y (as shown: Hₓ = -3mg/2 != 0). C is incorrect. Statement D: Only gravity does work (hinge force does no work since hinge is fixed). No friction. Mechanical energy IS conserved. D is incorrect. Only A is correct.

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