ENGINEERING MECHANICS

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs):

UNIT-2: CENTROID, MOMENT OF INERTIA AND FRICTION

1. CENTROID OF LINES AND AREAS:

01. The centre of gravity of an equilateral triangle with each side (a) is _______ from
any of the three sides [ ]

a) a√3/2 b) a√2/3 c) a/2√3 d) a/3√2

02. A circular hole of radius (r) is cut out from a circular disc of radius (2r) in such a way
that the diagonal of the hole is the radius of the disc. The centre of gravity of the section
lies at [ ]

a) centre of a disc b) centre of the hole

c) somewhere in the disc d) somewhere in the hole

03. The centre of gravity of a body is the point through which the weight of the body
passes, when it is kept in the [ ]

a) horizontal position b) vertical position

c) inclined position d) any position

04. The centroid of a quadrant of a circle lies along its central radius at a distance of
[ ]

a) 0.2R b) 0.3R c) 0.4R d) 0.6R

05. For a quarter circle of 50mm radius lying in the first quadrant with the origin as the
centre, the centroidal distance is found to be [ ]

a) 21.22 mm & 21.22 mm b) 31.83 mm & 31.83 mm

c) 21.22 mm & 31.83 mm d) None of the above

06. A slender homogeneous wire AB of semicircular shape is suspended from one end
A. Determine the inclination that the diameter AB would make with the vertical. [ ]

a) 23.8⁰ b) 30.8⁰ c) 32.5⁰ d) 61.2⁰

07. A prismatic rod is bent up in the L shape so that AB= 80mm, BC=30mm. It is freely
hanging with the help of a string attached at end A. Find the angle made by AB with
vertical. [ ]

a) 28.77⁰ b) 38.77⁰ c) 39.77⁰ d) None of these

08. Find the X centroid of the plane lamina which is made by joining points one by one.
Starting with point A (0,3), B (4,2) C (4,0), D (0, -4), F (-4,3). [ ]
 a) +0.33m b) -0.33 m c) +0.659 m d) -0.982 m

09. Centroid of wire bend in the form of arc of a circle with radius R, subtending angle
2α and having x axis as axis of symmetry is given by. [ ]

a) 2 R/α b) R tan α/ c) R cos α/ d) R sin α/α

10. A semicircular plate of radius r mm is freely suspended at one end. Find angle made
by its diameter with vertical. [ ]

a) 22.3⁰ b) 23⁰ c) 42.3⁰ d) 12.48⁰

11. The centroid of an equilateral triangle of side a with one side parallel to the x axis
[ ]
a) ( , ) b) ( , ) c) ( , ) d) ( , )

12. Centroid of lamina in the form of a sector of circle of radius R and subtending an
angle 2α and have x axis as axis of symmetry is given by [ ]

a) 2R cos α/3 b) 2R sin α/3 c) 2R cos α/2 d) 2R cos α/2

13. An equilateral triangular lamina is suspended at its one of vertices. Its edge makes
an angle of ------- with vertical. [ ]

a) 30⁰ b) 60⁰ c) 90⁰ d) 12⁰

14. The centroid of arc of a radius R and symmetric about the X- axis with subtended
angle 2α is…. [ ]

a) b) c) d)

15. The centre of gravity of a 10 x 15 x 5cm T section from its bottom is……… [ ]

a) 7.5 cm b) 5.0 cm c) 8.75 cm d) 7.85 cm

16. The centroid of a plane lamina will not be at its geometrical centre if it is a… [ ]

a) circle b) equilateral triangle

c) rectangle d) right angled triangle

17. The centre of gravity of a 10 x 15 x 5cm T section from its bottom is……… [ ]
a) 7.5 cm b) 5.0 cm c) 8.75 cm d) 7.85 cm
18. The centroid of isosceles triangle with base b and sides L is at distance……from its
base. [ ]
a) √ (L2 – b2) / 3 b) √ (L2 – b2) / 2
c) √ (L2 – b2) / 6 d) 2√ (L2 – b2) / 3
19. A quarter circular plate of uniform thickness is freely suspended with the help of a
string attached at the end of the circular arc. Then the angle made by the radius with
vertical in the position of equilibrium is... …… [ ]
a) 13° b) 20.78° c) 33° d) 43º

20. A triangular plate ABC with AB = 80mm, BC = 60mm, AC = 100mm is hanging freely
with the help of a string attached at vertex A. Then the angle made by side AB with
vertical in the position of equilibrium is [ ]
a) 10.55° b) 15.55° c) 20.55° d) 25.55°

21. A uniform bar 500mm long is bent at ifs midpoint at an angle of 90°. Determine its
centroid using the sides as axes. [ ]
a) 83.5 mm & 83.5 mm b) 32.5 mm & 32.5 mm
c) 62.5 mm & 62.5 mm d) none of these
22. The centroid of 100 mm X 150 mm X 30 mm T section from the bottom of the web is
[ ]
a) 94 mm b) 102 mm c) 120 mm d) 132 mm

23. The centre of gravity of a plane circular lamina of radius 220 mm making an angle of
60° is located at a distance of ______from the center of the circle. [ ]
a) 120 mm b) 130 mm c) 140 mm d) 150 mm

24. A circular sector of an angle 450 is cut from the circle of radius 220 mm. The centre
of gravity of the reminder from the centre of the sector is [ ]

a) 100 mm b) 44 mm c) 30 mm d) 33 mm

ANSWERS:

01. c 02. c 03.d 04. d 05. a 06. c 07. d

08. a 09. d 10.b 11. b 12. b 13. a 14. d
15. c 16. d 17.c 18. d 19. c 20. c 21. c
22. a 23. a 24. b

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2. MOMENT OF INERTIA:

1. The unit of moment of inertia of an area [ ]

a) kg/m b) kg/m2 c) m4 d) m3

2. Moment of inertia of a squares of side b about an axis through its centre of gravity, is
a) b3/4 b) b4/12 c) b44/3 d) b4/8 [ ]

3. The unit of inertia of mass,

a) kg/m b) kg/m2 c) kg-m2 d) m3 [ ]

4. Polar moment of inertia is [ ]

a) Same as moment of inertia
b) Applicable to masses whereas moment of inertia is applicable to area only
c) The moment of inertia for an area relative to a linear or axis perpendicular to
the plane of the area
d) The moment of inertia for an area relative to a line or axis parallel to the
centroidal axis

5. Moment of inertia of any section about an axis passing through its C.G is [ ]
a) Maximum
b) Minimum
c) Depends upon the dimensions of the section
d) Depends upon the shape of the section

6. The moment of inertia of a rectangle base ‘b’ and depth ‘d’ about the base will be
[ ]

a) b) c) d)

7. The moment of inertia of a circular section of diameter ‘d’ about its centroidal axis is
given by [ ]

a) b) c) d)

6. The moment of inertia of a triangular section of base ‘b’ and height ’h’ about an axis
passing through its C.G. and parallel to the base is [ ]

a) b) c) d)

7. The polar moment of inertia of a circular section is about [ ]

a) X-X axis b) Y-Y axis c) Z-Z axis d) Neutral axis

8. The moment of inertia of a triangular section of base ‘b’ and height ‘h’ about an axis
passing through its base is ………. times the moment of inertia about an axis passing
through its C.G. and parallel to the base [ ]

a) 9 b) 4 c) 2 d) 3

9. The moment of inertia of a body is always minimum with respect to its [ ]

a) Base b) Centroidal axis c) Vertical axis d) Horizontal axis

10. The moment of inertia of a triangular section of base ‘b’ and height ‘h’ about an axis
passing through its vertex and parallel to base is [ ]

a) b) c) d)
11. The moment of inertia of a circular section about an axis perpendicular to the
section is [ ]

a) b) c) d)
12. Moment of inertia is the [ ]
a) Second moment of area b) Second moment of mass
c) Second moment of force d) All of these

13. What is the formula of theorem of perpendicular axis? [ ]

a) Izz = Ixx – Iyy b) Izz = Ixx + Ah2
c) Izz – Ixx = Iyy d) None of the mentioned

14. What is the formula of theorem of parallel axis? [ ]

a) IAD = IG + Ah b) IAB = Ah2 + IG
c) IAB = IG – Ah2 d) IAB = IG + Ixx

ANSWERS:

01. c 02. b 03.c 04. c 05. b 06. d 07. c

08. d 09. b 10. d 11. c 12. d 13. c 14. b

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3. FRICTION

1. A block of weight 50 N remains in the state of limiting equilibrium under the action of
a horizontal force ‘P’. If µs=0.27 & µk = 0.2, the frictional force acting on the block is
[ ]
a)13.5 N b) 20 N c) 50 N d)15 N

2. A block of 50 kg mass is pushed up the inclined by a force of 100N acting parallel to

the incline. If µs=0.25, decide what will happen to the block under the action of these
forces. The inclination of the plane with horizontal is 30⁰. [ ]
a) Block slides up b) Block slides down
c) Block remains stationary d) Block overturns

3. A 6m long ladder weighing 100N rests against a smooth vertical wall at an angle 30⁰
to the wall. If a man of 750 N weight climbs up the ladder and stays at 4m from the
bottom, determine the horizontal force required to be applied at the bottom of the ladder
to prevent it from slipping. [ ]
a)952.6 N b) 367.5 N c) 173.2 N d)86.67 N

4. A block of weight 50 N is placed on a rough horizontal surface when a horizontal

force of 18 N is applied, the block is just on the verge of motion. The angle of friction is
[ ]
a) 17.80⁰ b) 18.80⁰ c) 19.80⁰ d) 20.80⁰

5. Determine value of force P applied on a block of weight 600N to prevent it from

moving down. Block is resting on inclined surface making an angle of 35⁰ with
horizontal. P is making an angle of 60⁰ with horizontal. Take s= 0.25 and k= 0.2
[ ]
a) 233.56 N b) 562.32 N c) 276.68 N d) 145.29 N

6. What is the minimum angle (with the horizontal) at which the uniform plank may be
placed against the wall without slipping. The coefficient of friction for all surface in
contact is µ and weight of plank is W. [ ]
-1 2
a) = tan (1+ µ / 2µ) -1 2
b) = tan (1- µ / 2µ)
-1
c) = tan (2µ / 1+ µ ) 2 d) None of these

7. For a static body which is not in impending motion which of the following is true.
[ ]
a) Fr (actual) = Fr (limit) b) Fr (actual) < Fr(limit)
c)Fr (actual) > Fr (limit) d) None of these

8. A horizontal force P is applied on a 50 kg. block placed on an inclined plane, inclined

at 40⁰ with horizontal. What is the value of P required to just push the block up the
plane? µ = 0.2 [ ]
a) P = 386 N b) P=543 N c) P=732 N d) P=612.5 N

9. A flat belt passing over a Pulley is used to transmit power. If the tension on tight side
is T1 and tension in slack side is T2 and the belt makes lap angle b then the ratio of
T1/ T2 is equal to [ ]
 a) b) c) µ d) None of these

10. For an impending motion which of the following is not true [ ]

a) Angle of friction = Angle of repose b) µk < µs
c) µs = d) None of these

11. At the point of impending motion, static frictional force is, [ ]

a) Zero b) Maximum c) Minimum d) Infinite

12. A rope males 1 1/2 turn over a fixed pulley. The value of load that can be moved by
applying a force of 1 KN with µ = 0.20 is……. when load moves down. [ ]
a) 6.59 kN b) 5 kN c) 5.45 kN d) 4.29 kN

13. A block weighing 1 OON rests on a plane tends to move downwards, when the
plane makes an angle of 20° to horizontal. The coefficient of friction between the block
and the plane is………… [ ]
a) 0.36 b) 0.34 c) 0.40 d) 0.50
14. A body of weight W is resting on a plane inclined at 30° to horizontal. It is attached
to a string making an angle 60° with horizontal, If angle of friction be 30°, the tension in
the string would be………. [ ]
a) 1.5 W b) W c) zero d) 2W

15. A block of mass 10kg is placed on horizontal plane. A horizontal force of 30 N is

applied and the block is just on the verge of motion. The angle of friction is…. [ ]
a) 17° b) 30º c) 45 d) 60°

16. A block of weight 100N is placed on a rough horizontal plane with µs=0.3 and µk =
0.2. It is acted upon by a 20N horizontal pushing force. Will it move? [ ]
a) No b) move slightly and then stop
c) Yes d) none of these

17. A block of weight 100 N is placed on a rough horizontal plane with µs = 0.3 and µk=
0.2. A horizontal force of 50N is pulling the block rightwards. How much frictional force
the block will experience during motion? [ ]
a) 50N b) 30N c) 20N d) 10N

18. A block of weight 100 N is placed on a rough horizontal plane with μs = 0.3 and μk =
0.2. It is on the verge of sliding towards right. Then how much force is acting on it in the
direction of motion? [ ]
a)10 N b) 20N c) 40N d) 30N
19. If a ladder is not in equilibrium against a smooth vertical wall, then it can be made in
equilibrium by [ ]
a) increasing the angle of inclination b) decreasing the angle of inclination
c) increasing the length of the ladder d) decreasing the length of the ladder
20. The maximum value of coefficient of friction is [ ]

a) Coefficient of static friction b) limiting coefficient of static friction

c) dynamic coefficient of friction d) none of the above

21. If a body impends its motion of its own on inclined plane then the angle of friction is
______angle of repose. [ ]

a) less than b) greater than c) equal to d) none

22. The frictional force depends on [ ]

a) Area of contact b) shape of surfaces in contact
c) nature of surfaces in contact d) none

23. If the coefficient of static friction is 0.20 than the angle of friction is [ ]
a) 9.3° b)10.3° c) 11.3° d) none

24. The value of coefficient static friction depends on [ ]

a) Area of contact b) Marerials in contact
c) Nature of surfaces in contact d) None

25. For a moving body fictional force developed between two surfaces in contact [ ]
a) Decreases with increase in velocity of the body
b) Increases with increases in velocity of the body
c) Remains constant
d) None

26. A body of weight W is placed on the inclined rough plane. The inclination of the
plane is less than the angle of repose than the body will [ ]
a) Move downwards b) Move upwards
c) Be in equilibrium d) None

27. A body of weight W is placed on the inclined rough plane. The inclination of the
plane is more than the angle of repose than the body will [ ]
a) Move downwards b) Move upwards
c) Be in equilibrium d) None

28. The force of friction always acts in a direction [ ]

a) Opposite to the direction of motion of body
b) In the direction of motion of body
c) a) and b)
d) None

29. A Truck which can exert a pull of 4000 N is to be stopped by the number of turns of
a rope around a tree and a pull of 4N if coefficient of static friction is 0.4, The number of
turns around the tree is [ ]
a) 5.5 b) 11 c) 2.75 d) None

30. The magnitude of the force of friction between two bodies in contact depends on
a) Roughness of upper body b) Roughness of both bodies [ ]
c) body having both bodies d) None
31. A block of weight 450N is pulled up on a inclined plane by a force of 280N. The
inclination of the plane is 25º to the horizontal and the force is applied parallel to the
plane the coefficient static friction is [ ]
a) 0.472 b) 0.686 c) 0.22 d) 0.867

32. A block of weight W is resting on a plane, having inclination of θ degrees with the
horizontal. If ø is the angle of friction, then for no motion of the block [ ]
a) θ>ø b) θ=ø c) θ<ø d) None

33. A block of weight W is resting on a plane, having inclination of θ degrees with the
horizontal. If ø is the angle of friction, then for block in motion [ ]
a) θ>ø b) θ=ø c) θ<ø d) None

34. A block of weight W is resting on a plane, having inclination of θ degrees with the
horizontal. If ø is the angle of friction, then for impending motion of the block [ ]
a) θ>ø b) θ=ø c) θ<ø d) None

35. Suppose that a shoelace passes without friction through 5 holes on each side of
your shoe. If the tension in that shoelace is 10N. how much force is the shoelace
exerting on the right side of your shoe? [ ]
a)100N b)10N c) 50N d) 25N

36. Once a body just begins to slide, it continues to slide because [ ]

a) the body has inertia b) inertia force acts on the body
c) the body accelerates d) the fictional force becomes less

37. If the resultant is within the cone of friction, the body [ ]

a) is in impending state of motion b) is in motion
c) remains in equilibrium d) None

38. If the resultant is on the surface of the cone of friction, the body [ ]
a) is in impending state of motion b) is in motion
c) remains in equilibrium d) None

39. If the resultant is outside the cone of friction, the body [ ]

a) is in impending state of motion b) is in motion
c) remains in equilibrium d) None

ANSWERS:

01.a 02.b 03.c 04.d 05.c 06.b 07.c

08.c 09.c 10.a 11.c 12.b 13.c 14.c
15.a 16.b 17.c 18.d 19.a 20.b 21.c
22.d 23.c 24.b 25.c 26.c 27.c 28.a
29.c 30.b 31.c 32.c 33.a 34.b 35.c
36.c 37.c 38.a 39.b

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