A disc in space will rotate or not?

[mooncrater]

Homework Statement

Consider this question:
"A uniform thin flat isolated disc is floating in space. It has radius R and mass m. A force F is applied to it at a distance $d=\frac {R}{2}$ from the centre of the disc. So,
Will the disc rotate with accelerating in the direction of force or it won't rotate and will accelerate only?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I think it won't rotate. If it will then it's not clear which point is chosen as the centre of rotation. If it is the centre of the disc, then why is it chosen? I am confused about this thing.

 

[Chestermiller]

Why don't you just set up the equations, and see what they tell you?

Chet

 

[PeroK]

Homework Statement

Consider this question:
"A uniform thin flat isolated disc is floating in space. It has radius R and mass m. A force F is applied to it at a distance $d=\frac {R}{2}$ from the centre of the disc. So,
Will the disc rotate with accelerating in the direction of force or it won't rotate and will accelerate only?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I think it won't rotate. If it will then it's not clear which point is chosen as the centre of rotation. If it is the centre of the disc, then why is it chosen? I am confused about this thing.

Suppose a disc is rotating about a point on its edge. What can you say about the motion of its centre of mass?

 

[chriskary]