Tutorial Sheet 2

(PH101: Physics for Engineers)

Department of Physics, IIT Ropar
(August 16, 2019)
Topics Covered: (Vector calculus (Gradient, Divergence, Curl, Gauss Theorem, and Stoke’s theorem),
Simple Harmonic oscillator, Damped and Forced Harmonic oscillator, and Electrostatics)

1. Given A = (2x2 - yz) 𝐢+ (y2 - 2xz) j + x2z3 k

Find 𝝯. (𝝯 x A)

2. Given φ = xy+yz+zx and A = (x2y) 𝐢 + (y2z) j + (z2x) k

Find the value of a) A . (𝝯 φ) and,
b) φ (𝝯. A) at the point (3, -1, 2).
3. Given A and B are irrotational. Find the nature of A x B. Hint: Calculate the divergence of this
vector.

4. If v represents the (tangential) velocity vector of a solid body rotating about an axis, then find the
value of divergence and curl of the velocity vector v.

5. Calculate the gradient of the following functions

a) f(x, y) = (x2+y2)1/2
b) f(x,y,z)= 3x2y1/2+cos 3z

6. Compute the
s
(
 F .ds where F = 3x + z , y − sin x z, xz + ye
77 2 2 x 5

) and S is the closed

surface of the box 0  x  1, 0  y  3, 0  z  2.
Hint: Use the divergence theorem.

7. Check the divergence theorem for the function 𝑣1 = 𝑟 2 𝑟̂ , using as your volume the sphere of

radius 𝑅, centered at the origin.

1
Try the same for 𝑣2 = ( 2 )𝑟̂ . You will find that the divergence theorem is no longer satisfied
𝑟

(superficially). Can you guess the reason behind this?

8. Verify the Stokes theorem for the function 𝑣 = 𝑦 𝑧̂ , using the triangular surface shown in Figure
below.
9. Use Stoke’s theorem to evaluate the line integral:

∮𝐶 (𝑦 + 2𝑧)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 + 2𝑧)𝑑𝑦 + (𝑥 + 2𝑦)𝑑𝑧, Where C is the curve formed by intersection of the

sphere x2+y2+z2=1 and plane x+2y+2z=0.

10. A block of mass m is connected by a string of negligible mass to a spring with spring constant K
which is in turn fixed to a wall. The spring is horizontal and the string is hung over a pulley such
that the mass hangs vertically. The pulley is a solid disk of mass M and radius R. As shown in
the diagram below, the spring is initially in its equilibrium position and the system is not
moving.
a) Use energy methods, to determine the speed v of the block after it has fallen a
distance h. Express your answer in terms of g, m, K, M, and h.
b) Use your answer to part (a) and calculus to find the height at which the speed is a
maximum.

11. Given an object oscillating horizontally in simple harmonic motion, which graph of energy vs.
displacement shown below…
 Best represents…
a. the total energy of the object-spring system?
b. the kinetic energy of the object?
c. the potential energy of the spring?
12. Obtain an expression for the fraction of complete time period that a simple harmonic oscillator
spends within a small interval Δ𝑥 at positon 𝑥.

13. Show that a circuit with and Inductor (L), Capacitor (C) and Resistor (R) in series obeys an
equation abstractly similar to a Damped Harmonic Oscillator.

Also, compare with the equation of motion of a Torsional pendulum

Explain the terms involved.

(Noteworthy: Harmonic Oscillator system is one of the very few exactly solvable problems in
Physics. It is used as a basis of a lot of theories ranging from Classical Physics to Quantum Field
Theory)
14. The suspension system of a 2000 K g automobile sags 10 cm when the chassis is placed on it.
Also, the oscillation amplitude decreases 50% each cycle. Estimate the values (a) The spring
constant k. (b) The damping constant b for the spring and shock absorber system of one wheel,
assuming each wheel supports 500 Kg.
15. A 1000 kg car carrying four 82 kg people travels over a “washboard” dirt road with corrugations
4.0 m apart. The car bounces with maximum amplitude when its speed is 16 km/h. When the car
stops, and the people get out, by how much does the car body rise on its suspension

16. Show that a driven oscillator has its maximum amplitude of vibration at a frequency at 𝜔 =
𝑏2
√𝜔02 − ( ). At what frequency does the velocity have the greatest amplitude?
2𝑚2

17. A 2.00-kg object attached to a spring moves without friction (b=0) and is driven by an external
force given by the expression F=3.00 sin (2𝜋t), where F is in Newtons and t is in seconds. The
force constant of the spring is 20.0 N/m. Find (a) the resonance angular frequency of the system,(b)
the angular frequency of the driven system, and (c) the amplitude of the motion.

18. Find the electric field a distance z above the center of a circular loop of radius R, which carries a
uniform line charge λ.

19. Find the electric field a distance z above the center of a flat circular disk of radius R, which carries
a uniform surface charge σ.

20. Use Gauss's law to find the electric field inside a uniformly charged sphere (charge density ρ).

𝑘
21. A hollow spherical shell carries charge density ρ = 2 in the region 𝑎 ≤ 𝑟 ≤ 𝑏 (see image).
𝑟
Find the electric field in the three regions: (i) 𝑟 < 𝑎, (ii) 𝑎 < 𝑟 < 𝑏, (iii) 𝑟 > 𝑏.