Additional problems based on polar coordinates solved in tutorial

classes with model solutions

1. A bead slides on a long bar with constant speed v0 relative to the bar and the bar is rotates about the axis with a
constant angular speed 0. At time t=0, r=r 0 and =0. Find (a) the velocity and acceleration of the bead at any
instant of time, (b) the locus of the in terms of r, , v0 and 0.

r
v0

r v rv
Here, r v0 ; 0 v rv 0 r 0

Again, ar r r 2 and a r 2r a ar r a r02 r 2v00
dr d r r0 v v
Now, r v0 r r0 v0t and 0 0 0t 0 r r0 0 0
dt dt 0 0 0

2. Consider a mass m moving under the gravitational attraction of another mass

M, fixed at the origin. The motion of m is confined to the xy plane, as shown in
figure.
i) Write down the equations of motion of m in polar coordinates
ii) Using the -equation, show that the quantity remains constant
iii) What is the physical meaning of the conserved quantity in part (ii)

a Fr m r r2
GMm
1 and F m r 2r 0 2
r2

b From eq. 2 m r 2r 0 m r 2 2rr 0

d
dt

mr 2 0 mr 2 const. Orbital angular momentum L .

dL
c const. when there is no external torque acting on m.
dt
 3. A circular table (of radius R) with a smooth horizontal surface is
rotating at a constant angular velocity about its axis as shown in the
figure. A groove is made on the surface along a radius and a particle is
gently placed inside the groove at a distance b from the center. Find the
velocity and the force on the particle (as vectors in polar coordinates),
when its distance from the center becomes L (b<L<R).

Here, Fr 0 on the particle and F ?

2

m r r m r r 0 2
2d 2 r dvr
dt dt
dv dr
r 2 r
dr dt
dv
vr r r2
dr
VL L
L b VL L2 b 2
VL2 1 2 2 2
vr dvr r 2 dr
0 b
2 2
At , r L, V r L and VL L

VTotal r L2 b 2 L VTotal 2 L2 b 2 L22 2 L2 b 2

F rF
r F F m r 2r2 m r 2r2
At , r L

F 2mL2 2m VTotal 2m2 2 L2 b 2