PHYSICS MECHANICS

Test 3
SCAN 1st

Exercise 1:
A smooth sphere A of mass m travelling in plane ( O, x , y ) with velocity
V ( O *) = v0 x hits a similar sphere B at rest such that the angle between the line of centres

and axis ( B, y ) is (Figure 1). Friction is neglected.

1) Assuming that the coefficient of restitution is e , find the velocities of A and B

after impact.
2) Calculate the energy loss during the impact.
3) Sphere B then hits a wall at a distance d from O. The impact is supposed to be
purely elastic, define the trajectory of B after the impact on the wall.

v0 x

B
A

O*

Figure 1

Exercise 2:
Figure 2 shows a simplified representation of a fairground attraction aimed at showing
everybody how strong you are The system is made of a horizontal track of length
AB = d connected at B with a part of a circular track of radius R . The objective is to push a

mass m such that it goes as high as possible on the circular path. The position of any point
P on the circular path is described by the angle and the corresponding altitude is h( ) . The

acceleration of the gravity field is g .

Part A: Friction is neglected

1 Knowing that the maximum height reached by the mass is H , express the velocity vector
at point B
2 The mass is supposed to be pushed between points A and B by a constant force F , give
the expression of F in terms of m, g , H and d .
3 Find the expression of the reaction force from the track for any angular position on the
circular part in terms of H , R, h( ), m and g .

Part B: There is some friction between the track (linear and circular parts) and the mass
which is simulated by introducing a constant friction coefficient f .
1- Determine the energy dissipated over segment AB
2- In what follows, the influence of the dynamic effects on the friction force is neglected
and it is assumed that, at any point along the circular path, the friction force on the
mass can be approximated as:

T fmg cos e
a- Determine the energy dissipated by friction when mass m moves from B to a
point of altitude h( ) in terms of f , m, g , R and h( ) .
b- If the maximum altitude is H * , find the force F * (supposed to be constant
along AB ) which is required.

O
A

h ( )

Figure 2

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