1. ConcepTest Clicker Questions
Chapter 11
Physics, 4th Edition
James S. Walker
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

2. Question 11.1 Using a Wrenchd b
You are using a wrench to loosen a rusty nut. Which arrangement will be the most effective in loosening the nut?
Answer: b
e) all are equally effective

3. Question 11.1 Using a Wrenchd b
You are using a wrench to loosen a rusty nut. Which arrangement will be the most effective in loosening the nut?
Because the forces are all the same, the only difference is the lever arm. The arrangement with the largest lever arm (case #2) will provide the largest torque.
e) all are equally effective
Follow-up: What is the difference between arrangement 1 and 4?

4. Question 11.2 Two Forces a) yes
Two forces produce the same torque. Does it follow that they have the same magnitude?
a) yes
b) no
c) depends
Answer: b

5. Question Two Forces
Two forces produce the same torque. Does it follow that they have the same magnitude?
a) yes
b) no
c) depends
Because torque is the product of force times distance, two different forces that act at different distances could still give the same torque.
Follow-up: If two torques are identical, does that mean their forces are identical as well?

6. Question 11.3 Closing a Door
In which of the cases shown below is the torque provided by the applied force about the rotation axis biggest? For all cases the magnitude of the applied force is the same.
a) F1
b) F3
c) F4
d) all of them
e) none of them
Answer: a

7. Question 11.3 Closing a Door
In which of the cases shown below is the torque provided by the applied force about the rotation axis biggest? For all cases the magnitude of the applied force is the same.
a) F1
b) F3
c) F4
d) all of them
e) none of them
The torque is t = rFsin, and so the force that is at 90° to the lever arm is the one that will have the largest torque. Clearly, to close the door, you want to push perpendicularly!!
Follow-up: How large would the force have to be for F4?

8. Question 11.4 Cassette Player
When a tape is played on a cassette deck, there is a tension in the tape that applies a torque to the supply reel. Assuming the tension remains constant during playback, how does this applied torque vary as the supply reel becomes empty?
a) torque increases
b) torque decreases
c) torque remains constant
Answer: b

9. Question 11.4 Cassette Player
When a tape is played on a cassette deck, there is a tension in the tape that applies a torque to the supply reel. Assuming the tension remains constant during playback, how does this applied torque vary as the supply reel becomes empty?
a) torque increases
b) torque decreases
c) torque remains constant
As the supply reel empties, the lever arm decreases because the radius of the reel (with tape on it) is decreasing. Thus, as the playback continues, the applied torque diminishes.

10. Question 11.5a Dumbbell I a) case (a)
b) case (b)
c) no difference
d) it depends on the rotational inertia of the dumbbell
A force is applied to a dumbbell for a certain period of time, first as in (a) and then as in (b). In which case does the dumbbell acquire the greater center-of-mass speed ?
Answer: c

11. Question 11.5a Dumbbell I a) case (a)
b) case (b)
c) no difference
d) it depends on the rotational inertia of the dumbbell
A force is applied to a dumbbell for a certain period of time, first as in (a) and then as in (b). In which case does the dumbbell acquire the greater center-of-mass speed ?
Because the same force acts for the same time interval in both cases, the change in momentum must be the same, thus the CM velocity must be the same.

12. Question 11.5b Dumbbell II a) case (a) b) case (b)
c) no difference
d) it depends on the rotational inertia of the dumbbell
A force is applied to a dumbbell for a certain period of time, first as in (a) and then as in (b). In which case does the dumbbell acquire the greater energy ?
Answer: b

13. Question 11.5b Dumbbell II a) case (a) b) case (b)
c) no difference
d) it depends on the rotational inertia of the dumbbell
A force is applied to a dumbbell for a certain period of time, first as in (a) and then as in (b). In which case does the dumbbell acquire the greater energy ?
If the CM velocities are the same, the translational kinetic energies must be the same. Because dumbbell (b) is also rotating, it has rotational kinetic energy in addition.

14. Question 11.6 Moment of Inertia
Two spheres have the same radius and equal masses. One is made of solid aluminum, and the other is made from a hollow shell of gold. Which one has the bigger moment of inertia about an axis through its center?
a) solid aluminum
b) hollow gold
c) same
same mass & radius
solid
hollow
Answer: b

15. Question 11.6 Moment of Inertia
Two spheres have the same radius and equal masses. One is made of solid aluminum, and the other is made from a hollow shell of gold. Which one has the bigger moment of inertia about an axis through its center?
a) solid aluminum
b) hollow gold
c) same
same mass & radius
solid
hollow
Moment of inertia depends on mass and distance from axis squared. It is bigger for the shell because its mass is located farther from the center.

16. Question 11.7 Figure Skater
A figure skater spins with her arms extended. When she pulls in her arms, she reduces her rotational inertia and spins faster so that her angular momentum is conserved. Compared to her initial rotational kinetic energy, her rotational kinetic energy after she pulls in her arms must be
a) the same
b) larger because she’s rotating faster
c) smaller because her rotational inertia is smaller
Answer: b

17. Question 11.7 Figure Skater
A figure skater spins with her arms extended. When she pulls in her arms, she reduces her rotational inertia and spins faster so that her angular momentum is conserved. Compared to her initial rotational kinetic energy, her rotational kinetic energy after she pulls in her arms must be:
a) the same
b) larger because she’s rotating faster
c) smaller because her rotational inertia is smaller
KErot = I 2 = L  (used L = I ). Because L is conserved, larger  means larger KErot. The “extra” energy comes from the work she does on her arms.
Follow-up: Where does the extra energy come from?

18. Question Two Disks
Two different spinning disks have the same angular momentum, but disk 1 has more kinetic energy than disk 2. Which one has the bigger moment of inertia?
a) disk 1
b) disk 2
c) not enough info L L
Answer: b
Disk 1
Disk 2

19. / Question 11.8 Two Disks a) disk 1 b) disk 2 c) not enough info
Two different spinning disks have the same angular momentum, but disk 1 has more kinetic energy than disk 2. Which one has the bigger moment of inertia?
a) disk 1
b) disk 2
c) not enough info L L
KE = I 2 = L2 (2 I)
(used L = I ).
Because L is the same, bigger I means smaller KE. /
Disk 1
Disk 2

20. Question 11.9 Spinning Bicycle Wheel
You are holding a spinning bicycle wheel while standing on a stationary turntable. If you suddenly flip the wheel over so that it is spinning in the opposite direction, the turntable will:
a) remain stationary
b) start to spin in the same direction as before flipping
c) to spin in the same direction as after flipping
Answer: b

21. Question 11.9 Spinning Bicycle Wheel
You are holding a spinning bicycle wheel while standing on a stationary turntable. If you suddenly flip the wheel over so that it is spinning in the opposite direction, the turntable will:
a) remain stationary
b) start to spin in the same direction as before flipping
c) start to spin in the same direction as after flipping
The total angular momentum of the system is L upward, and it is conserved. So if the wheel has
−L downward, you and the table must have +2L upward.

22. Question 11.10 Balancing Rod
a) ¼ kg
b) ½ kg
c) 1 kg
d) 2 kg
e) 4 kg
A 1-kg ball is hung at the end of a rod 1-m long. If the system balances at a point on the rod 0.25 m from the end holding the mass, what is the mass of the rod?
1kg 1m
Answer: c

23. Question 11.10 Balancing Rod
a) ¼ kg
b) ½ kg
c) 1 kg
d) 2 kg
e) 4 kg
A 1-kg ball is hung at the end of a rod 1-m long. If the system balances at a point on the rod 0.25 m from the end holding the mass, what is the mass of the rod?
The total torque about the pivot must be zero !! The CM of the rod is at its center, 0.25 m to the right of the pivot. Because this must balance the ball, which is the same distance to the left of the pivot, the masses must be the same !!
1 kg X
CM of rod
same distance
mROD = 1 kg

24. Question 11.11 Mobile ? a) 5 kg b) 6 kg c) 7 kg d) 8 kg e) 9 kg
A (static) mobile hangs as shown below. The rods are massless and have lengths as indicated. The mass of the ball at the bottom right is 1 kg. What is the total mass of the mobile?
1 kg
1 m
3 m
2 m ?
Answer: b

25. Question 11.11 Mobile ? a) 5 kg b) 6 kg c) 7 kg d) 8 kg e) 9 kg
A (static) mobile hangs as shown below. The rods are massless and have lengths as indicated. The mass of the ball at the bottom right is 1 kg. What is the total mass of the mobile?
Use torques in two steps: (1) find the big mass on the bottom left (lower rod only), and (2) use the entire lower rod assembly (with two masses) to find the mass on top right. Finally, add up all the masses.
1 kg
1 m
3 m
2 m ?

26. Question 11.12a Tipping Over I
a) all
b) 1 only
c) 2 only
d) 3 only
e) 2 and 3
A box is placed on a ramp in the configurations shown below. Friction prevents it from sliding. The center of mass of the box is indicated by a blue dot in each case. In which case(s) does the box tip over? 1 2 3
Answer: d

27. Question 11.12a Tipping Over I
a) all
b) 1 only
c) 2 only
d) 3 only
e) 2 and 3
A box is placed on a ramp in the configurations shown below. Friction prevents it from sliding. The center of mass of the box is indicated by a blue dot in each case. In which case(s) does the box tip over?
The torque due to gravity acts like all the mass of an object is concentrated at the CM. Consider the bottom right corner of the box to be a pivot point If the box can rotate such that the CM is lowered, it will!! 1 2 3

28. Question 11.12b Tipping Over II
Consider the two configurations of books shown below. Which of the following is true?
a) case 1 will tip
b) case 2 will tip
c) both will tip
d) neither will tip
1/2
1/4 1 2
Answer: a

29. Question 11.12b Tipping Over II
Consider the two configurations of books shown below. Which of the following is true?
a) case 1 will tip
b) case 2 will tip
c) both will tip
d) neither will tip
The CM of the system is midway between the CM of each book. Therefore, the CM of case #1 is not over the table, so it will tip.
1/2
1/4 1 2