1. An object rotates with an angular speed that varies with time, as shown in the graph.
How can the graph be used to determine the magnitude of the angular acceleration 𝛼 of the
object? Justify your selection.
A. Subtract the greatest value of the angular speed from the smallest value of the angular
speed, because 𝛼 = Δ𝜔.
Δ𝜔
B. Determine the slope of the line from 0 s to 2 s, because the slope represents Δ𝑡 .
C. Determine the area bounded by the line and the horizontal axis from 0 s to 2 s, because
𝛼 = 12𝜔Δ𝑡.
D. The angular acceleration cannot be determined without knowing the rotational inertia of
the object.
2. A uniform disk spins about an axis that passes through the center of the disk and is
perpendicular to the plane of the disk, as shown in Figure 1. The disk has an initial angular
velocity of 𝜔𝑑 and uniformly accelerates to rest over time. The angular velocity of the disk as
a function of time is shown in Figure 2. A student must determine the angular displacement
of a point on the edge of the disk from 𝑡 = 0 to the instant in time the disk comes to rest if
the point’s initial velocity is changed to 2𝜔𝑑 but its angular acceleration is the same as
shown in Figure 2. How can the graph in Figure 2 be changed before the student can
determine the angular displacement? Justify your selection.
A. Recreate the graph with a vertical intercept that is twice the value of the intercept shown
in Figure 2, because the angular velocity is increased from 𝜔𝑑 to 2𝜔𝑑 . The horizontal
intercept should be the same in both graphs, because the angular acceleration is the same
in both graphs.
B. Recreate the graph with a vertical intercept that is twice the value of the intercept shown
in Figure 2, because the angular velocity is increased from 𝜔𝑑 to 2𝜔𝑑 . The slope of the
line should be the same in both graphs, because the angular acceleration is the same in
both graphs.
C. Recreate the graph with the same vertical intercept in both graphs, because the angular
acceleration is the same in both graphs. The slope of the curve in the new graph should be
twice as steep as the slope in Figure 2, because the angular velocity is increased from 𝜔𝑑
to 2𝜔𝑑 .
D. Recreate the graph with the same vertical intercept in both graphs, because the angular
acceleration is the same in both graphs. The horizontal intercept in the new graph should
be twice the value of the horizontal intercept in Figure 2, because the angular velocity is
increased from 𝜔𝑑 to 2𝜔𝑑 .
3. Two small objects of mass 𝑚0 and a rotating platform of radius 𝑅
compose a single system. Each object of mass 𝑚0 is placed a distance
𝑟1 away from the center of the platform such that both masses are on
opposite sides of the platform. A constant tangential force 𝐹0 is applied
to the edge of the platform, as shown. The system is initially at rest.
Which of the following graphs represents the angular displacement of
the system as a function of time?
A. B.
C. D.
4. A disk of radius 50 cm rotates about a center axle. The
angular position as a function of time for a point on the
edge of the disk is shown. Which two of the following
quantities of the point on the edge of the disk can be
correctly mathematically determined from the graph
using the methods described? Justify your selections.
Select two answers.
A. The angular velocity, because this quantity can be determined by calculating the slope of
the graph.
B. The translational speed, because 𝑣 = 𝑟𝜔.
C. The angular acceleration, because this quantity can be determined by calculating the area
bound by the curve and the horizontal axis from 0 s to 5 s.
𝑣2
D. The translation acceleration, because 𝑎 = .
𝑟