ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014

Fall 2014

Exam 1
September 24, 2014

Instructions:

• You have 60 minutes to complete this exam.

• This is a closed-book, closed-notes exam.
• You are allowed to use the ME approved calculator only during the exam.
• Usage of mobile phones and other electronic communication devices is NOT permitted during
the exam.

Problem Score
1 (20 pts)
2 (20 pts)
3 (20 pts)
Total

Name: −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

Instructor: Berger Cappelleri

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ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014
Fall 2014

Problem 1 (20 points):

Given: Pin P is constrained to move along an elliptical ring whose shape is given by x2 /a2 +y 2 /b2 =
1 (where x and y are given in mm). The pin is also constrained to move within a horizontal slot
that is moving upward at a constant speed of v.

Find: When particle P is at the position of y = 6 mm:

(a) Determine the Cartesian components for the velocity of P.
(b) Determine the Cartesian components for the acceleration of P.
(c) Determine the rate of change of speed of P.

Use the following parameters in your analysis: a = 5 mm, b = 10 mm, v = 30 mm/s.

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ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014
Fall 2014

This page is for extra work related to Problem 1.

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ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014
Fall 2014

Problem 2 (20 points):

Given: The block B slides on a frictionless horizontal surface, while the pin at A moves within the
frictionless semi-circular slot of radius ρ = 1.5 ft. The slider velocity and acceleration are given in
the figure.

Find: At this instant:

(a) The angular velocity and angular acceleration of link AB.
(b) The acceleration of point A, expressed as a vector.

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ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014
Fall 2014

This page is for extra work related to Problem 2.

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ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014
Fall 2014

Problem 3 (20 points):

Part A (4 points):

Particle P moves in the xy plane with an acceleration of ~a = ap î, where ap = 10 m/s2 = constant.
At the instant shown, P has a speed of vp = 5 m/s, with the velocity oriented as shown below.
Circle from the choices below which angle θ results in the SMALLEST radius of curvature ρ for
the path of P.

(a) θ=0
(b) θ = 30◦
(c) θ = 60◦
(d) θ = 90◦
(e) θ = 120◦
(f) θ = 150◦
(g) The radius of curvature is independent of the angle θ.
(h) More information is needed on the motion of P in order to answer this question.

Point P represents a passenger traveling in an automobile. The velocity and acceleration of P, v~P
and a~p , respectively, are shown below at a given instant in time. Circle the item below that most
accurately describes the motion of P:

(a) The speed of P is decreasing and P is turning left.

(b) The speed of P is increasing and P is turning left.
(c) The speed of P is decreasing and P is turning right.
(d) The speed of P is increasing and P is turning right.
(e) There is insufficient information given for answering this question,

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ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014
Fall 2014

Part B (4 points):

The motion of the two particle system shown below is constrained by an inextensible cable. Block
A moves along a horizontal path and Block B moves along a vertical path. At the instant shown,
B is moving downward with a speed of vB . Circle the correct answer for each of the following
questions for this instant:

• The rope-length constraint associated with this problem is best described by:

q q q
sA +sB = L sB +h = L sB + s2A + s2B = L sB + s2A + h2 = L sB + s2A + h2 = L

• The relationship between the speeds of particles A and B is best described by:

|vA | < |vB | |vA | = |vB | |vA | > |vB | Not enough information to determine

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ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014
Fall 2014

Part C (6 points):

A sphere of radius r rolls without slipping to the right on a rough, horizontal surface. The center
of the sphere, O, has a speed of vO , with this speed decreasing at a rate of aO .

Circle the figure below that most accurately represents the direction of the acceleration of the
contact point C.

A wheel rolls without slipping with its center O having a constant speed of vO . In the figure below,
sketch the directions for the acceleration vectors for points E and B on the wheel.

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ME 274: Basic Mechanics II September 24, 2014
Fall 2014

Part D (6 points):

The mechanism shown below is made up of links AB, BD, DF, and EH. Links AB and DF are
pinned to ground at pins A and F, respectively. Link EH is pinned to link DF at E. Pin H is
constrained to move along a straight, horizontal path. Link AB is rotating counterclockwise, as
shown.

(a) Accurately located the instant center for link BD

(b) Accurately located the instant center for link EH
(c) What is the direction of motion for pin H (left, right or instantaneously stationary)?

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