Two light identical springs of spring constant k are attached horizontally at the two ends of a uniform horizontal rod AB of length I and mass m . the rod is pivoted at its centre 'O' and can rotate freely in horizontal plane. The other ends of the two springs are fixed to rigid supports as shown in figure. The rod is gently pushed through a small angle and released. The frequency of resulting oscillation is:
(A)2π1m3k
(B)2π1m2k
(C)2π1m6k✓ Correct
(D)2π1mk
Answer: (C)
Solution
When the rod turns through a small angle θ about its centre, each end moves through x=2Lθ and stretches its spring, so each spring pushes back with force kx. Both springs give a restoring torque in the same sense, each with moment arm 2L, so the total restoring torque is τ=2(kx)2L=2kL2θ. The rod's moment of inertia about its centre is I=12mL2. Writing τ=Iθ¨ gives θ¨=−m6kθ, so the motion is simple harmonic with ω=m6k and frequency f=2π1m6k.
JEE Main · 2019 · 12 Jan 2019 · Shift 1 · Single correct option