A mass M hangs on a massless rod of length ℓ which rotates at a constant angular frequency. The mass M moves with steady speed in a circular path of constant radius. Assume that the system is in steady circular motion with constant angular velocity ω. The angular momentum of M about point A is LA which lies in the positive z direction and the angular momentum of M about point B is LB. The correct statement for this system is:
(A)LA is constant, both in magnitude and direction✓ Correct
(B)LB is constant in direction with varying magnitude
(C)LA and LB are both constant in magnitude and direction
(D)LB is constant, both in magnitude and direction
Answer: (A)
Solution
A is the centre of the circular path. Taken about A, the position vector of the mass lies in the plane of the circle and the velocity is perpendicular to it, so
LA=Mrvk^=Mr2ωk^
which is fixed in magnitude and points permanently along +z. Taken about B, the position vector of the mass has a component along the axis as well as the radial component. The axial part contributes an angular momentum of magnitude M(ℓcosα)v that lies in the horizontal plane and turns with the mass, while the radial part contributes the same Mr2ω along +z. The resultant LB therefore keeps a fixed magnitude but sweeps round a cone about the axis. Hence LA is constant both in magnitude and in direction, while LB is constant in magnitude only.
JEE Main · 2021 · 17 Mar 2021 · Shift 1 · Single correct option