Question
A roller is made by joining together two cones at their vertices O. It is kept on two rails AB and CD which are placed asymmetrically (see figure), with its axis perpendicular to CD and its centre O at the centre of line joining AB and CD (see figure). It is given a light push so that it starts rolling with its centre O moving parallel to CD in the direction shown. As it moves, the roller will tend to:
-
turn left
-
turn right
-
go straight
-
turn left and right alternately
Solution
A.
turn left
As, the wheel rolls forward the radius of the wheel, decreases along AB hence for the same number of rotations it moves less distance along AB, hence it turns left.
