ME 3112 Mechanics of Machines

Problem Set 1: Particle Dynamics

In this problem set, Problems 1 to 4 will be discussed during the tutorial session.
Problems 5 to 7 are given as extras for your own practice.

Problem 1
A baseball pitching machine throws baseballs with a horizontal velocity v0.
Knowing that height h varies between 788 mm and 1068 mm, determine (a) the range
of values of v0, (b) the values of corresponding to h = 788 mm and h = 1068 mm.

Answer: (a) 32.0 m/s; 41.1 m/s. (b) 4.05; 6.67







Problem 2
As the truck shown begins to back up with a constant acceleration of 1.2 m/s
2
, the
outer section B of its boom starts to retract with a constant acceleration of 0.5 m/s
2

relative to the truck. Determine (a) the acceleration of section B, (b) the velocity of
section B when t=2 s.

Answer: (a) (0.879 i 0.383 j) m/s
2
. (b) (1.758 i 0.766 j) m/s







Problem 3
A turntable A is built into a stage for use in a theatrical production. It is observed
during a rehearsal that a trunk B starts to slide on the turntable 12 s after the turntable
begins to rotate. Knowing that the trunk undergoes a constant tangential acceleration
of 0.25 m/s
2
, determine the coefficient of static friction between the trunk and the
turntable.

Answer: 0.383





Problem 4
To unload a bound stack of plywood from a truck, the driver first tilts the bed of the
truck and then accelerates from rest. Knowing the coefficients of friction between the
bottom sheet of plywood and the bed are s = 0.40 and k = 0.30, determine (a) the
smallest acceleration of the truck which will cause the stack of plywood to slide, (b)
the acceleration of the truck which causes corner A of the stack to reach the end of the
bed in 0.9 s.

Answer: (a) 0.31 m/s
2
(b) 4.17 m/s
2





Problem 5 (Extra)
A telemetry system is used to quantify kinematic values of a ski jumper immediately
before she leaves the ramp. According to the system r = 150m, dr/dt = -31.5 m/s,
d
2
r/dt
2
= -3 m/s
2
, = 25, d/dt = 0.07 rad/s, d
2
/dt
2
= 0.06 rad/s
2
. Determine (a) the
velocity of the skier immediately before she leaves the jump, (b) the acceleration of
the skier at this instant, (c) the distance of the jump d neglecting lift and air resistance.




Problem 6 (Extra)
Block A has a mass of 40 kg, and block B has a mass of 8 kg. The coefficients of
friction between all surfaces of contact are s = 0.20 and k = 0.15. If P = 40 N,
determine (a) the acceleration of block B, (b) the tension in the cord.




Problem 7 (Extra)
A 3-kg block is at rest relative to a parabolic dish which rotates at a constant rate
about a vertical axis. Knowing that the coefficient of static friction is 0.5 and that r =
2 m, determine the maximum allowable velocity of the block.




ME 3112 Mechanics of Machines
Problem Set 2: Kinematics of rigid bodies

In this problem set, Problems 1 to 4 will be discussed during the tutorial session.
Problems 5 to 7 are given as extras for your own practice.

Problem 1
Knowing that the disk has a constant angular velocity of 15 rad/s clockwise,
determine the angular velocity of bar BD and the velocity of collar D when (a) =0,
(b) =90, (c) =180.
Answer: (a) 4.38 rad/s; 0.31 m/s. (b) 0 rad/s; 1.065 m/s. (c) 4.38 rad/s; 0.31 m/s.


Problem 2
Collar D slides on a fixed vertical rod. Knowing that the disk has a constant angular
velocity of 15 rad/s clockwise, determine the angular acceleration of bar BD and the
acceleration of collar D when (a) =0, (b) =90, (c) =180.
Answer: (a)5.55 rad/s
2
; 10.93m/s
2
. (b) 75.9 rad/s
2
; 10.77m/s
2
. (c) 5.55 rad/s
2
;
21.02m/s
2
.




Problem 3
The motion of nozzle D is controlled by arm AB. At the instant shown the arm is
rotating counterclockwise at the constant rate =2.4 rad/s and portion BC is being
extended at the constant rate u=250 mm/s with respect to the arm. For each of the
arrangements shown, determine the acceleration of nozzle D.
Answer: (a) 1.702 m/s
2
. (b) 2.55 m/s
2



Problem 4
The crane shown rotates at the constant rate 1=0.25 rad/s; simultaneously, the
telescoping boom is being lowered at the constant rate 2=0.40 rad/s. Knowing that at
the instant shown the length of the boom is 6m and is increasing at the constant rate
u=0.45m/s, determine the velocity and acceleration of point B.
Answer: v=(1.299i-1.853j+1.590k) m/s, a=(0.795i-0.792j-0.976k)m/s
2



Problem 5 (Extra)
Arm AB has a constant angular velocity of 16 rad/s counter-clockwise. At the instant
when = 90, determine the acceleration (a) of collar D, (b) of the midpoint G of bar
BD.





Problem 6 (Extra)
Pin P is attached to the wheel shown and slides in a slot cut in bar BD. The wheel
rolls to the right without slipping with a constant angular velocity of 20 rad/s.
Knowing that x = 480 mm when = 0, determine (a) the angular acceleration of the
bar, (b) the relative acceleration of pin P with respect to the bar when = 0.




Problem 7 (Extra)
A disk of radius 120 mm rotates at the constant rate 2 = 5 rad/s with respect to the
arm AB, which itself rotates at the constant rate 1 = 3 rad/s. For the position shown,
determine the velocity and acceleration of point C.



ME 3112 Mechanics of Machines
Problem Set 3: Kinetics and Newtons second law

In this problem set, Problems 1 to 3 will be discussed during the tutorial session.
Problems 4 to 6 are given as extras for your own practice.

Problem 1
A 4 kg uniform slender rod AB is held in position by two ropes and the link CA
which has a negligible weight. After rope BD is cut the assembly rotates in a vertical
plane under the combined effect of gravity and a 6 Nm couple M applied to link CA
as shown. Determine, immediately after rope BD has been cut, (a) the acceleration of
rod AB, (b) the tension in rope EB.
Answer: (a) 1.572 m/s
2
. (b) 20.8 N.



Problem 2
The collar B of negligible mass can slide freely on the 4 kg uniform rod CD. Knowing
that in the position shown crank AB rotates with an angular velocity of 5 rad/s and an
angular acceleration of 60 rad/s
2
, both clockwise, determine the force exerted on rod
CD by collar B.

Answer: 15.01 N



Problem 3
A thin ring of radius r=20.3 cm is attached by a collar at point A to a vertical shaft
which rotates with a constant angular velocity . Determine (a) the constant angle
that the plane of the ring forms with the vertical when =10 rad/s, (b) the largest
value of for which the ring will remain vertical (=0).
Answer: (a) 71.2. (b)5.67 rad/s.



Problem 4 (Extra)
A 300-mm radius cylinder of mass 8 kg rests on a 3-kg carriage. The system is at rest
when a force P of magnitude 20 N is applied. Knowing that the cylinder rolls without
sliding on the carriage and neglecting the mass of the wheels of the carriage,
determine (a) the acceleration of the carriage, (b) the acceleration of point A, (c) the
distance the cylinder has rolled with respect to the carriage after 0.5 s.




Problem 5 (Extra)
The 250-mm uniform rod BD, of mass 5 kg, is connected as shown to disk A and to a
collar of negligible mass, that may slide freely along a vertical rod. Knowing that disk
A rotates counterclockwise at a constant rate of 500 rpm, determine the reactions at D
when = 0.




Problem 6 (Extra)
The 950-g gear A is constrained to roll on the fixed gear B, but is free to rotate about
axle AD. Axle AD, of length 400 mm and negligible mass, is connected by a clevis to
the vertical shaft DE which rotates as shown with a constant angular velocity 1.
Assuming that gear A can be approximated by a thin disk of radius 80 mm, determine
the largest allowable value of 1 if gear A is not to lose contact with gear B.