A uniform rod of length ℓ is being rotated in a horizontal plane with a constant angular speed about an axis passing through one of its ends. If the tension generated in the rod due to rotation is T(x) at a distance x from the axis, then which of the following graphs depicts it most closely?
(A)(see structure)
(B)(see structure)
(C)(see structure)✓ Correct
(D)(see structure)
Answer: (C)
Solution
Look at the piece of rod beyond a distance x from the axis; the tension T(x) at that cross-section must supply the centripetal force for all of that outer piece. For a uniform rod of linear mass density λ, T(x)=∫xℓλω2rdr=2λω2(ℓ2−x2). This is a downward-opening parabola in x: it is largest at the axis, T(0)=2λω2ℓ2, and falls smoothly to T(ℓ)=0 at the free end.
JEE Main · 2019 · 12 Apr 2019 · Shift 1 · Single correct option