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AS 91524 · 2024 paper · rotational motion (flywheel)

Question 2(b) Merit

Practises Rotational dynamics

A golf ball is placed in a light cup attached to a flywheel of diameter 0.220 m, and begins to accelerate downwards at a constant 1.83 m s⁻².

m ball0.0460 kg
flywheel diameter0.220 m
a1.83 m s⁻²

The ball and cup start from rest and fall 0.750 m. Calculate the flywheel's final angular velocity.

The 2024 paper, page 4 ↗ Marking schedule, page 3 ↗

Work it out

Try it on paper first. Stuck? Take one hint at a time.

  1. 1 How far round does the flywheel turn while the cup falls 0.750 m?

    The string unwinds 0.750 m of rim: θ = d / r = 0.750 / 0.110 = 6.8182 rad.
  2. 2 It starts from rest with a steady α. Which equation gives ω from θ?

    ω² = ω0² + 2αθ = 0 + 2 × 16.636 × 6.8182 = 226.86
  3. 3 Take the square root, then check it another way.

    ω = √226.86 = 15.06 rad s⁻¹. Check: the cup’s own speed is v = √(2ad) = √(2 × 1.83 × 0.750) = 1.6568 m s⁻¹, and v / r = 1.6568 / 0.110 = 15.06 rad s⁻¹.
Answer ω = 15.1 rad s⁻¹

What the marker wanted

  • Achieved One of: the angle turned (6.82 rad); the cup’s final speed (1.657 m s⁻¹); or a right ω from a wrong angle.
  • Merit The right answer, by angles as above or by finding the cup’s speed first and using v = rω.

In our words, from NZQA’s 2024 marking schedule.

How did it go?

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