Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
Physics C: Mech · Unit 6 · Paper 2

Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems unit test

A test on this unit alone, marked as a percentage and a letter grade — for the test your class is actually sitting, rather than for May. Answer everything, then submit once: seeing the answer to question 3 before attempting question 4 makes the final percentage meaningless.

Each paper is built from this unit’s 34 terms and is the same for everyone, so a teacher can assign “Unit 6, Paper 2” and every student sits the identical test. Multiple choice is marked objectively; the written sections you mark yourself against the model answer and rubric.
Suggested time 35 min 32 points0/17 attempted
1

Why kinetic energy is not conserved when I changes

2

Particle striking a pivoted rod

3

Rolling race is independent of mass and radius

4

Energy change when I changes

5

Rotational work and power

6

Conservation of angular momentum

7

Orbital angular momentum is conserved but energy determines the shape

8

Gyroscopic precession

9

Angular momentum in an elliptical orbit

10

When angular momentum is conserved

11

Choosing the point for angular momentum

12

Rotational kinetic energy as the analogue of ½mv²

Short answer 1. Define or explain: Angular impulse

3 pts

Short answer 2. Define or explain: Precession qualitatively

3 pts

Short answer 3. Define or explain: Work–energy theorem for rotation

3 pts

Short answer 4. Define or explain: Rotational kinetic energy

3 pts

Free response

8 pts

A solid sphere and a hollow spherical shell have the same mass M and the same radius R. Both are released from rest at the same height on an incline and roll without slipping to the bottom.

A. Indicate whether the solid sphere reaches the bottom of the incline before, after, or at the same time as the hollow shell. Justify your answer using qualitative reasoning beyond referencing equations.

B. Derive an expression for the translational speed of a rolling object of mass M, radius R and rotational inertia I = βMR² at the bottom of an incline of height h, in terms of β, h and physical constants.

C. Justify how your derived expression in part B is or is not consistent with your comparison in part A. (For a solid sphere β = 2/5; for a thin spherical shell β = 2/3.)