MCQEasyJEE 2025Torque & Angular Momentum

JEE Physics 2025 Question with Solution

A square Lamina OABC of length 10cm10 \, \text{cm} is pivoted at OO. Forces act at Lamina as shown in figure. If Lamina remains stationary, then the magnitude of FF is:

Square lamina OABC of side 10 cm pivoted at O, with 10 N forces at A and B, and unknown force F at C acting leftward.
  • A

    20N20 \, \text{N}

  • B

    00 (zero)

  • C

    10N10 \, \text{N}

  • D

    102N10\sqrt{2} \, \text{N}

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: A square lamina OABCOABC of side 10cm=0.1m10 \, \text{cm} = 0.1 \, \text{m} is pivoted at OO and remains stationary.

Find: The magnitude of FF.

For rotational equilibrium, the sum of torques about the pivot OO must be zero.

τO=0\sum \tau_O = 0

Take counter-clockwise torque as positive and clockwise torque as negative.

From the figure and the extracted working:

  • At AA, the horizontal 10N10 \, \text{N} force has line of action through OO, so its torque is zero.
  • At AA, the downward 10N10 \, \text{N} force gives clockwise torque:
τA,v=(10)(0.1)=1.0N m\tau_{A,v} = -(10)(0.1) = -1.0 \, \text{N m}
  • At BB, the upward 10N10 \, \text{N} force gives counter-clockwise torque:
τB,v=+(10)(0.1)=+1.0N m\tau_{B,v} = +(10)(0.1) = +1.0 \, \text{N m}
  • At BB, the rightward 10N10 \, \text{N} force gives clockwise torque:
τB,h=(10)(0.1)=1.0N m\tau_{B,h} = -(10)(0.1) = -1.0 \, \text{N m}
  • At CC, the force FF acts leftward and gives counter-clockwise torque:
τC,F=+F(0.1)=0.1FN m\tau_{C,F} = +F(0.1) = 0.1F \, \text{N m}

Applying equilibrium:

0+(1.0)+(+1.0)+(1.0)+0.1F+0=00 + (-1.0) + (+1.0) + (-1.0) + 0.1F + 0 = 01.0+0.1F=0-1.0 + 0.1F = 00.1F=1.00.1F = 1.0F=1.00.1=10NF = \frac{1.0}{0.1} = 10 \, \text{N}

Therefore, the magnitude of the force is 10N10 \, \text{N}. The correct option is C.

Torque-by-force breakdown

Given: Side of the square is 0.1m0.1 \, \text{m} and pivot is at OO.

Find: Force FF such that the lamina remains in rotational equilibrium.

Use lever arm about OO for each force. Any force whose line of action passes through OO produces zero torque.

Clockwise torques:

1.0N m at A+1.0N m at B=2.0N m1.0 \, \text{N m} \text{ at } A + 1.0 \, \text{N m} \text{ at } B = 2.0 \, \text{N m}

Counter-clockwise torques:

1.0N m at B+0.1F1.0 \, \text{N m} \text{ at } B + 0.1F

Equating clockwise and counter-clockwise torques:

2.0=1.0+0.1F2.0 = 1.0 + 0.1F0.1F=1.00.1F = 1.0F=10NF = 10 \, \text{N}

Hence, the required force is 10N10 \, \text{N}.

Common mistakes

  • Ignoring that a force whose line of action passes through the pivot produces zero torque. Do not multiply every force by the side length; first check whether its perpendicular distance from OO is zero.

  • Using the side length as 1010 instead of converting 10cm10 \, \text{cm} to 0.1m0.1 \, \text{m}. Torque must be computed in SI units to keep the calculation consistent.

  • Taking all torques with the same sign. Clockwise and counter-clockwise torques oppose each other, so assign signs consistently before applying τO=0\sum \tau_O = 0.

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