Have you ever realised how a spinning wheel in a bicycle gradually comes to a halt when there is no more pedalling done? This observation alone is a beautiful expression of the laws of rotational motion and moment of inertia, which is the focus of Chapter 6 of Class 11 Physics Systems of Particles and Rotational Motion. The chapter develops an excellent conceptual ground in the study of the rotating motion of bodies, including important concepts like the centre of mass, torque, angular momentum, equilibrium of rigid bodies, and the laws of motion of rotation.
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NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion are prepared by the subject experts in order to simplify complex topics by explaining, following derivations in steps, and solving problems in brief. These notes contain some crucial formulas, diagrams, and methods of solving problems, and thus, after reading these notes, students can learn even the hard concepts easily. Perfect in the preparation of both board exams in Class 11 of the CBSE curriculum and the competitive exams such as JEE and NEET, these NCERT notes are a useful source of quick revision and consolidation of knowledge on the subject of mechanics. These well-organised NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion will help the students to develop a strong basis, increase their accuracy, and feel confident to deal with exam-level and conceptual questions.
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System of Particles and Rotational Motion Class 11 Notes come in a well-organised and easy-to-download PDF format to enable students to study efficiently. These brief notes have clear explanations, formulae, and examples that have been solved, and thus, a last-minute preparation is fast and efficient. The downloadable PDF makes access easy anytime, such that the students are able to reinforce their mastery and enhance their performance in examinations such as CBSE, JEE, and NEET.
The NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 6 present an explanation of key physics concepts in a simplified form with having structured format. To simplify and shorten the revision time, these notes contain the summaries of the major derivations, formulas, and examples. Prepared in line with the current CBSE Class 11 Physics syllabus, they assist the students in enhancing clarity and being more precise in the context of preparing to take board as well as JEE/NEET exams.
(Here, m1 & m2 are two bodies in which m1 is at a distance x1, & m2 at a distance x2 from the origin O).
The total contribution of each such integral and the integral x dm is zero. Therefore, the COM coincides with its geometric centre.
The centre of mass coincides with the geometric centre, and with the same geometry applies to homogenous rings, discs, spheres, or even thick rods of circular or rectangular cross-sections;
$M \vec{R}=\sum m_i \overrightarrow{r_i}=m_1 \overrightarrow{r_1}+m_2 \overrightarrow{r_2}+\ldots \ldots m_n \overrightarrow{r_n}$
Differentiating w.r.t. time, we get,
$\begin{aligned} M \frac{\overrightarrow{d R}}{d t} & =m_1 \frac{\overrightarrow{d r_1}}{d t}+m_2 \frac{\overrightarrow{d r_2}}{d t}+\ldots \ldots m_n \frac{\overrightarrow{d r_n}}{d t} \\ M \vec{v} & =m_1 \overrightarrow{v_1}+m_2 \overrightarrow{v_2} \ldots \ldots+m_n \overrightarrow{v_n}\end{aligned}$
Again, differentiating w.r.t. time, we get,
$\begin{aligned} & M \vec{a}=m_1 \overrightarrow{a_1}+m_2 \overrightarrow{a_2} \ldots \ldots+m_n \overrightarrow{a_n} \\ & M \vec{a}=\overrightarrow{F_{\text {ext }}}\end{aligned}$
Instead of considering extended bodies as single particles, we can consider them as systems of particles.
$\begin{aligned}
&\begin{aligned}
& \vec{p}=\vec{p}_1+\vec{p}_2+\ldots+\vec{p}_n \\
& \vec{p}=\mathrm{m} 1 \vec{v}_1+\mathrm{m} 2 \vec{v}_2+\ldots+\mathrm{mn} \vec{v}_n \\
& \vec{p}=M \vec{v}
\end{aligned}\\
&\text { Where } \vec{p}=\text { Momentum particles and } \vec{v}=\text { Velocity of COM }
\end{aligned}$
$\frac{\overrightarrow{d p}}{d t}=\vec{F}_{e x t}$
In case when the total external force acting on a system of particles is zero $\left(\vec{F}_{\text {ext }}=0\right)$, then, in that case, the total linear momentum of the system is constant and can be represented as:
$(\frac{\overrightarrow{d p}}{d t}=0 ; \vec{p}=$ constant $)$
The Centre of mass having velocity also remains constant (Since $\vec{p}=m \vec{v}=$ Constant).
If the total external force on a body is zero, then the internal forces cause complex trajectories of individual particles in spite of the COM moving with a constant velocity.
The translational state of the motion of the rigid body is due to the changes in force, i.e. its total linear momentum changes.
The rotational state of motion of the rigid body is due to the changes in torque, i.e. the total angular momentum of the body changes.
Unless stated otherwise, only external forces and torques should be dealt.
Total force zero = Translational Equilibrium
Total torque zero = Rotational Equilibrium
I = Mk2, where k is the radius of gyration.
We can derive equations of motion similar to translational motion.
Translational motion
v=vo+at
x=xo+vot+0.5at2
v2=vo2+2as
Rotational Motion
ω=ωo+αt
θ=θo+ωot+0.5αt2
ω2=ωo2+2αθ
System of Particles and Rotational Motion Previous Year Questions and Answers encourage students to have knowledge of the kind of questions that could be asked in board and competitive exams. These answered questions provide an understanding of some critical concepts, derivations, and numerical trends of previous papers. Their practice enhances the preparation for exams and confidence in achieving high marks in Class 11 Physics, JEE, and NEET.
Q1: The net external torque on a system of particles about an axis is zero. Which of the following are compatible with it?
a) The forces may be acting radially from a point on the axis
b) The forces may be acting on the axis of rotation
c) The forces may be acting parallel to the axis of rotation
d) The torque caused by some forces may be equal and opposite to that caused by other forces
Answer:
Torque is given by $\vec{\tau}=\vec{r} \times \vec{F}$
Or
$\tau=r F \sin \theta \hat{n}$ where $\theta$ is the angle between both the vectors and $\hat{n}$ is the unit vector perpendicular to the plane of $\vec{r}$ and $\vec{F}$
1. When the force is acting radially in the direction of $\vec{r}, \theta=0$
$\ tau=r F sin 0=0 $
2. $\text{When the forces are acting on the axis of rotation, then}$ $\theta=0$ $ \text{and thus}$ $\tau=0$
3. The component of forces in the plane of $\vec{r}$ and $\vec{F}$ when they are parallel to the axis of rotation is $F \cos 90^{\circ}$, which is equal to 0 . Hence $\tau=0$
4. When torques are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, the net resultant is 0.
Hence, the answers are options (a) and (b).
Q2: A Merry-go-round, made of a ring-like platform of radius $R$ and mass $M$, is revolving with angular speed $\omega$
Answer:
As no external torque acts on the system, angular momentum should be conserved.
Hence. $I \omega=$ constant ,
where $I$ is the moment of inertia of the system and $\omega$ is the angular
velocity of the system.
From Eq. (i), $I_1 \omega_1=I_2 \omega_2$
(where $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ are angular velocities before and after jumping)
$
\Rightarrow I \omega=\frac{I}{2} \times \omega_2
$
(As mass is reduced to half, hence moment of inertia is also reduced to half)
$
\Rightarrow \omega_2=2 \omega
$
Q3: Which of the following points A, B and C is the likely position of the centre of mass of the system shown in Fig. 7.1?
Answer:
The volume of the hollow sphere is occupied equally by the air and sand. Since the pressure exerted by the air region is less than that of sand, the mass of sand is greater than the air. The centre of mass shifts towards a heavier portion, which in this case is sand. B is exactly at the line dividing air and sand, so it is incorrect. D is at the farthest end and divides the sand area very unequally, so it also cancels out. C is almost at the centre with regard to the mass.
Class 11 Physics Chapter 6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion Notes play an essential role in the foundation of good work on mechanics. They make complex concepts such as torque, angular momentum, and rotational dynamics easier to comprehend by presenting brief explanations and solved problems. The notes allow students to understand theoretical and numerical knowledge effectively, and they are very useful in preparing for the CBSE examination, the JEE, and the NEET.
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NCERT Class 11 Notes Chapter-Wise contain brief, clearly organised and simple summaries of every chapter. These are notes on major concepts, formulas, derivations and diagrams as per the newest CBSE syllabus that enable students to revise quickly. They are of great utility in board exams and also in competitive exams as JEE and NEET.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Rotational motion principles are used in:
This chapter is a scoring topic in JEE, NEET, and CBSE board exams. It helps in solving complex physics problems involving motion, forces, and energy conservation.
Rolling motion is a combination of translational and rotational motion.
Pure rolling occurs when there is no slipping, and v = Rω (where v is linear velocity, R is radius, and ω is angular velocity).
If no external torque acts on a system, angular momentum (L = Iω) remains constant. This principle explains why a skater spins faster when pulling in their arms.
The moment of inertia (I) is the rotational equivalent of mass. It represents an object's resistance to angular acceleration and depends on mass distribution.
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