25. Two inclined frictionless tracks, one gradual and the other steep meet at A from where two stones are allowed to slide down from rest, one on each track (Figure). Will the stones reach the bottom at the same time? Will they reach there with the same speed? Explain. Given θ1 = 30°, θ2 = 60°, and h = 10 m, what are the speeds and times taken by the two stones?

Solution:
No; the stone moving down the steep plane will reach the bottom first Yes; the stones will reach the bottom with the same speed
vB = vC = 14 m/s t1 = 2.86 s; t2 = 1.65 s
The given situation can be shown as in the following figure:

Here, the initial height (AD) for both the stones is the same (h). Hence, both will have the same potential energy at point A. As per the law of conservation of energy, the kinetic energy of the stones at points B and C will also be the same, i. e.,
\(\frac 12mv^2_1 = \frac 12mv^2_2\)
v1 = v2 = v, say Where, m = Mass of each stone v = Speed of each stone at points B and C
Hence, both stones will reach the bottom with the same speed, v.
For stone I:
Net force acting on this stone is given by:
Fnet = ma1 = mg sin θ1
a1 = g sin θ1
For stone II:
a1 = g sin θ1
∵ θ2 > θ1
∴ sin θ2 > sin θ1
∴ a2 > a1
Using the first equation of motion, the time of slide can be obtained as:
v = u + at
∴ t = \(\frac va\)(∵ u = 0)
For stone I:
t1 =\(\frac v{a_1}\)
For stone II:
t2 =\(\frac v{a_2}\)
∵ a2 > a1
∴ t2 < t1
Hence, the stone moving down the steep plane will reach the bottom first.
The speed (v) of each stone at points B and C is given by the relation obtained from the law of conservation of energy.
mgh = \(\frac 12mv^2\)


26. A 1 kg block situated on a rough incline is connected to a spring of spring constant 100 N m–1 as shown in Figure. The block is released from rest with the spring in the un-stretched position. The block moves 10 cm down the incline before coming to rest. Find the coefficient of friction between the block and the incline. Assume that the spring has a negligible mass and the pulley is frictionless.

Solution:
Mass of the block, m = 1 kg
Spring constant, k = 100 N m–1
Displacement in the block, x = 10 cm = 0.1 m
The given situation can be shown as in the following figure.

At equilibrium:
Normal reaction, R = mg cos 37°
Frictional force, f = μ R = mg sin 37°
Where, μ is the coefficient of friction
Net force acting on the block = mg sin 37° – f
= mg sin 37° – μmgcos 37° = mg(sin 37° – μcos 37°)
At equilibrium, the work done by the block is equal to the potential energy of the spring, i.e.,
mg (sin 37° - μ cos 37°) x = \(\frac 12 kx^2\)
1 x 9.8 (sin 37° - μ cos 37°) x = \(\frac 12\) x 100 x 0.1
0.602 - μ x 0.799 = 0.510
∴ μ = \(\frac {0.092}{0/799} = 0.115\)
27. A bolt of mass 0.3 kg falls from the ceiling of an elevator moving down with an uniform speed of 7 m s–1. It hits the floor of the elevator (length of the elevator = 3 m) and does not rebound. What is the heat produced by the impact? Would your answer be different if the elevator were stationary?
Solution:
Mass of the bolt, m = 0.3 kg
Speed of the elevator = 7 m/s
Height, h = 3 m
Since the relative velocity of the bolt with respect to the lift is zero, at the time of impact, potential energy gets converted into heat energy.
Heat produced = Loss of potential energy
= mgh = 0.3 × 9.8 × 3
= 8.82 J
The heat produced will remain the same even if the lift is stationary. This is because of the fact that the relative velocity of the bolt with respect to the lift will remain zero.
28. A trolley of mass 200 kg moves with a uniform speed of 36 km/h on a frictionless track. A child of mass 20 kg runs on the trolley from one end to the other (10 m away) with a speed of 4 m s–1 relative to the trolley in a direction opposite to the its motion, and jumps out of the trolley. What is the final speed of the trolley? How much has the trolley moved from the time the child begins to run?
Solution:
Mass of the trolley, M = 200 kg
Speed of the trolley, v = 36 km/h = 10 m/s
Mass of the boy, m = 20 kg
Initial momentum of the system of the boy and the trolley
= (M + m)v
= (200 + 20) × 10
= 2200 kg m/s
Let v' be the final velocity of the trolley with respect to the ground.
Final velocity of the boy with respect to the ground = v'-4
Final momentum = Mv'+ m(v'- 4)
= 200v' + 20v' – 80
= 220v' – 80
As per the law of conservation of momentum:
Initial momentum = Final momentum
2200 = 220v' – 80
∴v'= \(\frac {2280}{220} \) = 10.36 m/s
Length of the trolley, l = 10 m
Speed of the boy, v'' = 4 m/s
Time taken by the boy to run, t = \(\frac {10}{4}\) = 2.5 s
∴ Distance moved by the trolley = v'' × t = 10.36 × 2.5 = 25.9 m
29. Which of the following potential energy curves in Figure cannot possibly describe the elastic collision of two billiard balls? Here r is the distance between centres of the balls.

Solution:
(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vi)
The potential energy of a system of two masses is inversely proportional to the separation between them. In the given case, the potential energy of the system of the two balls will decrease as they come closer to each other. It will become zero (i.e., V(r) = 0) when the two balls touch each other, i.e., at r = 2R, where R is the radius of each billiard ball. The potential energy curves given in figures (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vi) do not satisfy these two conditions. Hence, they do not describe the elastic collisions between them.