Theoretical competition Question 1

26 April 2009 Page 1 of 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rolling Cylinders

A thin-walled cylinder of mass M and rough inner surface of radius R can rotate about its fixed
central horizontal axis OZ. The Z-axis is perpendicular to and out of the page. Another smaller
uniform solid cylinder of mass m and radius r rolls without slipping (except for question 1.8) on
the inner surface of M about its own central axis which is parallel to OZ.

g = acceleration due to
M gravity

R X
O

1.1) The rotation of M is to be started from rest at the instant t = 0 when m is resting at the lowest
point. At a later time t the angular position of the centre of mass of m is and by then M
has turned through an angle radians. How many radians (designated ) would have mass
m turned through about its central axis relative to a fixed line (for example, the negative Y-
axis)? Give your answer in terms of , , R and r . (0.8 point)

d2
1.2) What is the angular acceleration of m , , about its own axis through its centre of mass?
dt 2
Give your answer in terms of R, r , and derivatives of and . (0.2 point)

d2
1.3) Derive an equation for the angular acceleration of the centre of mass of m , , in terms of
dt 2
d2
m, g , R, r , , , and the moment of inertia I CM of m about its central axis. (1.8 points)
dt 2
Theoretical competition Question 1
26 April 2009 Page 2 of 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.4) What is the period of small amplitude oscillation of m when M is constrained to rotate at a
constant angular velocity? Give your answer only in terms of R, r , and g . (1.3 point)

1.5) What is the value of for the equilibrium position of m in question 1.4? (0.2 point)

1.6) What is the equilibrium position of m when M is rotating with a constant angular acceleration
? Give your answer in terms of R, g , and . (0.7 point)

1.7) Now M is allowed to rotate (oscillate) freely, without constraint, about its central axis OZ
while m is executing a small-amplitude oscillation by pure rolling on the inner surface of M .
Find the period of this oscillation. (2.5 points)

1.8) Consider the situation in which M is rotating steadily at an angular velocity and m is
rotating (rolling) about its stationary centre of mass, at the equilibrium position found in
question 1.5. M is then brought abruptly to a halt. What must be the lowest value of such
that m will roll up and reach the highest point of the cylindrical surface of M ? The
coefficient of friction between m and M is assumed to be sufficiently high that m begins to
roll without slipping soon after a short skidding right after M is stopped. (2.5 points)

*********************
Theoretical competition Question 2
26 April 2009 Page 1 of 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Self-excited Magnetic Dynamo

A metallic disc of radius a mounted on a slender axle is rotating with a constant angular velocity
inside a long solenoid of inductance L whose two ends are connected to the rotating disc by two
brush contacts as shown. The total resistance of the whole circuit is R . A small magnetic
disturbance can initiate the growth of an induced electromotive force across the terminals P, Q.

a P

long uniform solenoid

of N turns, length A

brush

2.1) Write down the differential equation for i (t ) , the current through the circuit. Express your

answer in terms of L, R, and the induced e.m.f. ( E ) across the terminals P and Q. (1.0 point)

2.2) What is the value of the magnetic flux density ( B ) in terms of i, N , A, and the permeability of

free space 0 ? Ignore the magnetic field generated by the disc and the axle. (1.5 points)
Theoretical competition Question 2
26 April 2009 Page 2 of 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.3) What is the expression for the induced e.m.f. ( E ) in terms of 0 , N , a, A, i, and the angular

velocity ? (2.0 points)

2.4) Solve the equation in question 2.1 for current at any time t in terms of the initial current i ( 0 ) ,

and other parameters. (1.5 points)

2.5) What is the minimum value of the angular velocity that will permit the current to grow? Give
your answers in terms of R, 0 , N , a, and A . (2.0 points)

2.6) In order to maintain a certain steady angular velocity , what must be the value of torque
applied to the axle at the instant t ? (2.0 points)

*********************
Theoretical competition Question 3

26 April 2009 Page 1 of 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Leidenfrost Phenomenon

The purpose is to estimate the lifetime of a (hemispherical) drop of a liquid sitting on top of a very
thin layer of vapour which is thermally insulating the drop from the very hot plate below.

drop

very hot surface
thin layer of vapour

Figure 1

It will be assumed here that the flow of vapour underneath the drop is streamline and behaves as a
Newtonian fluid of viscosity coefficient and of thermal conductivity K . The specific latent heat
F
of vaporization of the liquid is A . And for a Newtonian fluid we have the shear stress = the
A
dv
rate of shear where v is the flow velocity and z is the perpendicular distance to the direction of
dz
flow, and the direction of F is tangential to the surface area A .

Z hemispherical drop of
g radius R at distance b
above the hot surface

R mid-plane of
v
vapour layer
O z
b

r r hot surface
Figure 2

v is the velocity of vapour in the radial direction at the height z above the mid-plane. The pressure
P inside the vapour must be higher towards the centre O. This will result in the out-flowing of
Theoretical competition Question 3

26 April 2009 Page 2 of 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vapour and in force that holds the drop against the pull of gravity. The thickness of vapour layer
under thermal and mechanical equilibria is b .

For a Newtonian flow of vapour we can approximate that

d z d
v = P
dz dr

z2 d
3.1) Show that v(z) = P+C
2 dr

where C is an arbitrary constant of integration. (0.5 point)

d
3.2) Refer to figure 2, find the value of C in terms of , P, and b using the boundary condition
dr
b
v = 0 for z = . (0.5 point)
2

3.3) Calculate the volume rate of flow of vapour through the cylindrical surface defined by r .
(Hint: the cylinder is of radius r and of height b underneath the drop). (1.0 point)

3.4) By assuming that the rate of production of vapour of density V is due to heat flow from the

hot surface to the drop, find the expression for the pressure P ( r ) . Use Pa to represent the

atmospheric pressure, and use T for the temperature difference between those of the hot
surface and of the drop. Assume that the system has reached the steady state. (2.0 points)

3.5) Calculate the value of b by equating the weight of the drop to the net force due to pressure
difference between the bottom and the top of the drop. The density of the drop is 0 .
(2.0 points)

3.6) Now, what is the total rate of vaporization? (2.0 points)

3.7) Assume that the drop maintains a hemispherical shape, what is the life-time of the drop?
(2.0 points)
*********************