Question

A particle is released on a vertical smooth semicircular track from point X, so that OX makes an angle, $\theta$, from the vertical (see figure). The normal reaction of the track on the particle vanishes at point Y, where OY makes an angle $\phi$ with the horizontal. Then

A. $\sin \phi = \cos \theta$
B. $\sin \phi = \dfrac{1}{2}\cos \theta$
C. $\sin \phi = \dfrac{2}{3}\cos \theta$
D. $\sin \phi = \dfrac{3}{4}\cos \theta$

Answer 1

Find the distance the particle travels when it falls from point X to point Y. Use work-energy theorem to find the energy of the particle when it falls. Check for all the forces acting on the particle at point Y.

Complete Step by step answer: Let R be the radius of the semicircle and h be the distance between point X and point Y

The component of OX along OZ is $R\cos \theta$ and component of OY along OZ is $R\sin \phi$
Therefore, the distance travelled by the particle when it is released from X to Y is
$h = R\cos \theta - R\sin \phi$
Now, due to work done by gravity when the particle falls, it gains a velocity. Let $v$ be the velocity of the particle. From work-energy theorem we have,
Work done by gravity $=$ gain in kinetic energy of the particle
$\Rightarrow mgh = \dfrac{1}{2}m{v^2}$
Where $mgh$ is the work done by the gravity and $\dfrac{1}{2}m{v^2}$ is the kinetic energy of the particle.
$\Rightarrow v = \sqrt {2gh}$
Substituting the value of $h$ we get,
$v = \sqrt {2g\left( {R\cos \theta - R\sin \phi } \right)}$
Now, we draw a free body diagram, showing all the forces acting on the particle

At point Y, we have along radial direction in circular motion ( in frame of particle)
$N + \dfrac{{m{v^2}}}{R} = mg\sin \phi$ (i)
Where $N$ is the normal reaction and $\phi$ is the angle between force $mg$ and velocity $v$
Given, the normal reaction vanishes, $N = 0$
Therefore, equation (i) becomes,
$\dfrac{{m{v^2}}}{R} = mg\sin \phi$ (ii)
Putting the value of $v$ in equation (ii), we get

\Rightarrow 2(\cos \theta - \sin \phi ) = \sin \phi \\\ \Rightarrow \cos \theta = \dfrac{3}{2}\sin \phi \\\ \Rightarrow \sin \phi = \dfrac{2}{3}\cos \theta \\\ $$ **Therefore, the correct answer is option (C) $$\sin \phi = \dfrac{2}{3}\cos \theta $$** **Note:** In this problem no other external forces were acting on the particle, so the problem was quite simple. But if there are other forces like external force or frictional forces acting on the particle then we should consider those forces in calculations too.