A small ring of negligible thickness and radius 2 cm moves on a bigger rung of radius 10 cm. How many rotations will the small ring take on the bigger ring to make a complete round?
Aptitude
Plane Geometry
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
-
A5
-
B6
-
C7
-
D10
Answer
Correct Answer: 6
Explanation
### Concept & Strategy
When a circle of radius $r$ rolls without slipping around the outside of a fixed circular path of radius $R$, the center of the rolling circle traces a circle of radius $(R + r)$.
$$\text{Number of rotations} = \frac{R + r}{r} = \frac{R}{r} + 1$$
*(Note: The extra $1$ rotation accounts for the full $360^\circ$ rotation acquired purely by orbiting the larger center, known as the Coin Rotation Paradox.)*
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Given:**
* Radius of fixed rung ($R$) = $10\text{ cm}$
* Radius of rolling ring ($r$) = $2\text{ cm}$
* **Distance traveled by the center of the ring:**
$$\text{Distance} = 2\pi(R + r) = 2\pi(10 + 2) = 24\pi\text{ cm}$$
* **Circumference of the rolling ring:**
$$C = 2\pi r = 2\pi(2) = 4\pi\text{ cm}$$
* **Number of rotations:**
$$n = \frac{24\pi}{4\pi} = 6$$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Use the direct rolling paradox formula:
$$n = \frac{R}{r} + 1 = \frac{10}{2} + 1 = 5 + 1 = 6$$
### Common Pitfall
Simply calculating $\frac{R}{r} = \frac{10}{2} = 5$ without accounting for the extra rotation resulting from traveling in a circular loop.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **6**.