A solid cylinder of mass and radius is initially at rest on a frictionless horizontal…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Engineering physics · Engineering physics
Problem
A solid cylinder of mass M and radius R is initially at rest on a frictionless horizontal surface. Two horizontal forces of equal magnitude F act simultaneously for a short time interval Δt:
• One force acts through the center of mass in the +x direction.
• The second force acts tangentially at the rim, also in the +x direction on the same side of the cylinder.
Neglect all other forces. Which statement best describes the state of the cylinder immediately after the forces stop acting?
(a) It has acquired angular momentum but no linear momentum.
(b) It has acquired both linear and angular momentum because the net force and the net torque were nonzero.
(c) It has acquired linear momentum but no angular momentum.
(d) It has acquired both linear and angular momentum, but the angular momentum is 2FRΔt because each force exerts a torque, while the linear momentum is only FΔt.