8.

01L Fall 2005

Exam 3 Sample Problems
Note that some of these problems were from an exam allowing calculators. Your exam will
not allow calculators.
Problem 1
a) Two large spherical stars with masses of M and 2M m
are positioned a distance D apart (measured from M 2M
the center of one star to the center of the other
star) as shown. A small spherical asteroid with D
mass m is located with its center exactly halfway
between the two large stars. Find the magnitude and direction of the total
gravitational force acting on the asteroid. m

b) A small probe of mass m is released from rest at a distance of 2R

2R above the surface of a spherical planet of mass M and radius
R. Find the speed that the probe will have when it hits the
surface of the planet. Assume that the planet does not have an M
R
atmosphere and no forces other than gravity act on the probe.

c) Assume that the probe is released at the same distance from vo

m
the planet but now with a velocity of vo = GM 4R . The probe
has a rocket which fires to put it into a circular orbit at that 2R
height. Find the speed the probe would have once it is in the
circular orbit and, using that, find the work done by the
rocket. Assume that, at all times, the probe is at the same M
R
distance from the planet and that there are no forces acting
on the probe other than the planet’s gravity and the rocket.

Extra Credit Question This question may require a lot of thought for the points
available. Try it only if you have finished with all other problems
d) Redo part (b) but assuming that the planet is a hollow shell and that the probe falls
through a hole in the shell. Find the speed of the probe when it gets to the center of
the hollow shell. Explain your answer.
Problem 2
a) An object of mass, M=2 kg, is attached to a spring of spring
spring constant k=50 N/m which is compressed a k
uncompressed
distance d=20 cm and then released at rest. Find the M
speed of the object when it has gone past the point
where the spring is uncompressed and now the d
spring is stretched a distance of 10 cm. Assume that
the mass is moving on a horizontal, frictionless
surface.
b) Write an equation for the position of the mass as a function of time with t=0 being the
instant that the mass was first released from rest. Use this equation to find out how
long it takes the mass to get from the initial point with the spring compressed by 20 cm
to the point where the spring is stretched by 10 cm. (Hint: Think carefully about the
units of ω when doing the trig functions on your calculator.)
c) Write an equation for the velocity as a function of time, using the same definition of
t=0 as in part (b). Use this equation to find the velocity (magnitude and direction)
when the time is t = 3T 4 where T is the period of motion of the mass on the spring.
 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Physics

Physics 8.01L

SAMPLE EXAM 3 SOLUTIONS December 4, 2005

Problem 1
GMm 4GMm G(2M)m 8GMm
a)Flef t = (D/2) 2 = D2 , Fright = (D/2)2 = D2

FT OT = Fright − Flef t = 8GMm

D2 − 4GMm

D2
FT OT = 4GMm
D2 , to the right.

b) Mechanical energy is conserved.

P EI + KEI = P EF + KEF ⇒ −GMm 3R +0= −GMm
R + 12 mv 2
1 2 GM 2GM 2 4GM
2 v = −GM
+ = ⇒ v =
� 3R R 3R 3R
v = 4GM3R

2
�
c) For a circular orbit at distance 3R: m 3vR = GMm
(3R)2 ⇒ v = GM
3R
Wrocket = ΔE, ΔP E = 0, because always at the same distance.
Wrocket = KEF − KEI = 12 mvF2 − 21 mvI2 = 12 m GM 1 GM GMm 1 1
�
3R − 2 m 4R = R 6 − 8)
GMm
Wrocket = + 24R

d) Force = 0 inside shell ⇒ P E = constant�

⇒ KE = constant.
4GM
⇒ Answer is the same as for part (b), v = 3R .

Problem 2
a) Mechanical energy is conserved.
1 1 1
� d �2 � �2
2 2
2 kd �+ 0 =�2 mv + 2 k 2 , mv 2 = k(d2 − d2 ) = 34 kd2
�
3k
v= 4m d, v = 0.87m/s
�
k
b)X = Acos(ωt), A = 0.2 m, ω = m = 5 rad
sec
, −0.1 = 0.2cos(5t), cos(5t) = −0.5
2π 2π

5t = 3 , t= 15 = 0.42s.

c) v = −Aωsin(ωt), T = 2π 3 6π
ω ⇒ 4 T = 4ω = 2ω
3π
3π
ωt = 2 , sin(ωt) = −1, v = −Aω(−1) = Aω.
v = 1.0 m/s, to the right.
In the first 41 T , the block moves from xmax to x = 0. In the second 14 T , it moves from x = 0 to −xmax .
In the third 41 T , it moves from −xmax to x = 0 .
So at 43 T , the block is at x = 0, and it’s moving back towards initial position.

Problem 3
a) Conserve momentum:

MA (25)(cos(40◦ )) + MB (30)(cos(25◦ )) = MA (15) + MB (vx )

2MB (25)(cos(40◦ )) + MB (30)(cos(25◦ )) = 2MB (15) + MB (vx ) ⇒ vx = 35.5m/s

py − 2MB (25)(sin(40◦ )) + MB (30)(sin(25◦)) = 2MB (0) + MB (vy )

⇒ vy = −19.5m/s. vB = 40.5m/s @28.8◦ below x axis.