A solid cylinder of mass m is wrapped with an inextensible light string and is placed on a rough inclined plane as shown in the figure. The frictional force acting between the cylinder and the inclined plane is: [the coefficient of static friction, μs is 0.4]
(A)0
(B)27mg
(C)5 mg
(D)5mg✓ Correct
Answer: (D)
Solution
The string leaves the cylinder at the top tangent point and runs up the incline, so the tension T acts along the incline a distance R above the centre, while friction f acts at the contact point a distance R below it. If the cylinder stayed in equilibrium, the force balance along the 60∘ incline would read T+f=mgsin60∘ and the torque balance about the centre would read TR=fR, giving
f=2mgsin60∘=43mg≈0.43mg
The surface can supply at most
fmax=μsmgcos60∘=0.4×mg×21=0.2mg
The equilibrium demand exceeds this, so the contact slips and friction sits at its limiting value, 5mg.
JEE Main · 2021 · 18 Mar 2021 · Shift 2 · Single correct option