Rotational Motion

JEE Main level, single correct, medium

100 of 280

Question 100 of 280

Two masses 400 g and 350 g are suspended from the ends of a light string passing over a heavy pulley of radius 2 cm. When released from rest the heavier mass is observed to fall 81 cm in 9 s. The rotational inertia of the pulley is ____\_\_\_\_ kg⋅m2\mathrm{kg} \cdot \mathrm{m}^{2}. (g=9.8 m/s2)\left(\mathrm{g}=9.8 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}^{2}\right)

Show answer and solution

Answer: (B) 9.5×10−39.5 \times 10^{-3}

From kinematics with s=0.81s = 0.81 m and t=9t = 9 s: a=2s/t2=0.02a = 2s/t^2 = 0.02 m/s².
For the pulley system, applying Newton's second law to both masses and torque equation:
(m1−m2)g−(m1+m2)a=Ia/R2(m_1 - m_2)g - (m_1 + m_2)a = Ia/R^2.
Substituting values:
0.05×9.8−0.75×0.02=I×500.05 \times 9.8 - 0.75 \times 0.02 = I \times 50 gives 0.49−0.015=50I0.49 - 0.015 = 50I.
Therefore
I=9.5×10−3I = 9.5 \times 10^{-3} kg·m²

JEE Main question paper PDF

Open a shift to read the full paper on this page, or download it.

JEE Main 2025 Apr 2 Shift 1 question paper

Open Download PDF

Opening paper…

Explain it as a whiteboard videoStep-by-step, in Hinglish or English. Your first video needs no login.Solved it on paper but got it wrong?Upload a photo of your working. Mistake Doctor marks the exact line that broke.
See it move: Rotational dynamics and rolling simulationDrag the sliders and watch the numbers in this question change.Revise Rotational Motion firstFormula sheet, solved examples and the traps students fall into.

More Physics practice

JEE Main Physics practice question on Rotational Motion (Torque), with the answer and a step-by-step solution. Scan a question from your own book or paper to get a whiteboard video.