# Connexions

You are here: Home » Content » Physics for K-12 » Conservation of angular momentum (check your understanding)

• Why yet another course in physics?
• What is physics?

### Recently Viewed

This feature requires Javascript to be enabled.

Inside Collection (Course):

Course by: Sunil Kumar Singh. E-mail the author

# Conservation of angular momentum (check your understanding)

Module by: Sunil Kumar Singh. E-mail the author

Summary: Objective questions, contained in this module with hidden solutions, help improve understanding of the topics covered under the module "Conservation of angular momentum".

The questions have been selected to enhance understanding of the topics covered in the module titled " Conservation of angular momentum ". All questions are multiple choice questions with one or more correct answers. There are two sets of the questions. The “understanding level” questions seek to unravel the fundamental concepts involved, whereas “application level” are relatively difficult, which may interlink concepts from other topics.

Each of the questions is provided with solution. However, it is recommended that solutions may be seen only when your answers do not match with the ones given at the end of this module.

## Understanding level (Conservation of angular momentum)

### Exercise 1

If the polar ice caps completely melt due to warming, then :

(a) the earth will rotate faster (b) the earth will rotate slower (c) there will be no change in the angular speed (d) duration of a day on the Earth will increase (a) the earth will rotate faster (b) the earth will rotate slower (c) there will be no change in the angular speed (d) duration of a day on the Earth will increase

#### Solution

The gravitational pull of the Sun passes through COM of the Earth, providing centripetal force required for the rotation of the Earth about it. Thus, there is no external torque on the Earth. It means that the angular momentum of the Earth remains constant.

The melting of ice cap will result in the rise of sea level. From the point of view of MI of the Earth, it means redistribution of mass. The water equivalent of ice moves away from the axis of rotation, which passes through the poles. This results in an increase in the MI of the Earth.

Now, applying law of conservation of angular momentum :

L i = L f I i ω i = I f ω f L i = L f I i ω i = I f ω f

ω f = I i ω i I f ω f = I i ω i I f

Hence, increase in the MI of the Earth, due to melting of ice, will decrease angular velocity. On the other hand, the duration of a day on the Earth is equal to its time period of rotation, which is given as :

T = 2 π ω f T = 2 π ω f

As the Earth rotate slowly (lesser angular speed, ω f ω f ), the duration of a day on the Earth will increase.

Hence, options (b) and (d) are correct.

### Exercise 2

A circular disk of mass “M” and radius “R” is rotating with angular velocity “ω” about its vertical axis. When two small objects each of mass “m” are gently placed on the rim of the disk, the angular velocity of the ring becomes :

(a) M ω ( M + 4 m ) (b) M ω ( M + 2 m ) (c) M ω ( M 2 + 4 m ) (d) Mm ω ( M + 4 m ) (a) M ω ( M + 4 m ) (b) M ω ( M + 2 m ) (c) M ω ( M 2 + 4 m ) (d) Mm ω ( M + 4 m )

#### Solution

Since no external torque is operating on the disk – objects system, the angular momentum of the system is conserved.

Let “ ω f ω f ” be the common angular velocity of the composite system after objects are placed on the disk. Let subscripts “D”, “O” and “C” represent disk, objects and composite system respectively , then according to conservation of angular momentum,

I Di ω Di + I Oi ω Oi = I Ci ω f I Di ω Di + I Oi ω Oi = I Ci ω f

Here,

I Di = M R 2 2 ; ω Di = ω ; I Oi = 0 ; ω Oi = 0 I Di = M R 2 2 ; ω Di = ω ; I Oi = 0 ; ω Oi = 0

Also, the MI of the composite system is :

I Cf = ( M R 2 2 + 2 m R 2 ) = ( M 2 + 2 m ) R 2 I Cf = ( M R 2 2 + 2 m R 2 ) = ( M 2 + 2 m ) R 2

Putting in the equation of conservation law,

M R 2 ω 2 = ( M 2 + 2 m ) R 2 ω f M R 2 ω 2 = ( M 2 + 2 m ) R 2 ω f

ω f = M ω 2 ( M 2 + 2 m ) = M ω ( M + 4 m ) ω f = M ω 2 ( M 2 + 2 m ) = M ω ( M + 4 m )

Hence, options (a) is correct.

### Exercise 3

What would be the duration of day, if earth shrinks to half its radius with two – third of its original mass ? Consider motion of the Earth about the Sun along a circular path.

(a) 2 hrs (b) 4 hrs (c) 8 hrs (d) 16 hrs (a) 2 hrs (b) 4 hrs (c) 8 hrs (d) 16 hrs

#### Solution

The Earth rotates around the Sun as gravitational pull provides the necessary centripetal force. This force passes through the center of mass of the Earth. As such, gravitational pull does not constitute torque on the Earth. Therefore, we can consider that angular momentum of the Earth remains unchanged. Now, let us use "i" and "f" subscripts to denote initial and final values, then according to law of conservation of angular momentum :

L i = L f I i ω i = I f ω f L i = L f I i ω i = I f ω f

ω f = I i ω i I f ω f = I i ω i I f

We know that time period of the Earth is :

T i = 24 hrs T i = 24 hrs

Hence, its angular velocity is :

ω i = 2 π T i = 2 π 24 = π 12 rad / s ω i = 2 π T i = 2 π 24 = π 12 rad / s

Since data on mass and radius are missing, it is not possible to calculate MIs in two cases separately. However, we can find the ratio of MIs :

I i I f = 2 M R 2 5 2 5 x 2 M 3 x ( R 2 ) 2 = 1 x 3 x 4 2 = 6 I i I f = 2 M R 2 5 2 5 x 2 M 3 x ( R 2 ) 2 = 1 x 3 x 4 2 = 6

Putting in the equation,

ω f = 6 ω i = 6 x π 12 = π 2 rad / s ω f = 6 ω i = 6 x π 12 = π 2 rad / s

The new time period of rotation is :

T f = 2 π ω f = 2 π x 2 π = 4 hrs T f = 2 π ω f = 2 π x 2 π = 4 hrs

Hence, options (b) is correct.

##### Note:
This question underlines the fact that centripetal force does not constitute a torque for rotating body. Further this question describes a hypothetical situation in which mass of the body itself has changed – not its distribution, resulting in the change of MI and hence angular velocity to conserve angular momentum of the system.

### Exercise 4

Two disks of moments of inertia I 1 I 1 and I 2 I 2 and having angular velocities ω 1 ω 1 and ω 2 ω 2 respectively are brought in contact with each other face to face such that their axis of rotation coincides. The situation is as shown in the figure just before the contact. What is the angular velocity of the combined system of two rotating disks, if they acquire a common angular velocity?

(a) I 1 + I 2 ω 1 + ω 2 (b) I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 ω 1 + ω 2 (c) I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 I 1 + I 2 (d) I 1 I 2 ω 1 ω 2 I 1 + I 2 (a) I 1 + I 2 ω 1 + ω 2 (b) I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 ω 1 + ω 2 (c) I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 I 1 + I 2 (d) I 1 I 2 ω 1 ω 2 I 1 + I 2

#### Solution

The bodies acquire equal angular velocity due to friction operating between the surfaces in contact. However, friction here is internal to the system of two rotating disks. Thus, there is no external torque on the system and we can employ law of conservation of angular momentum :

L i = L f L i = L f

Here,

L i = I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 L i = I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2

When disks come in contact and rotate about a common axis with equal angular velocity, they acquire common angular velocity, say ”ω”. Since, two disks are rotating about a common axis of rotation, the MI of the combination is arithmetic sum of individual MIs. The moment of inertia of the composite system, “ I C I C ” is given as :

I C = I 1 + I 2 I C = I 1 + I 2

Thus, final angular momentum of the system is :

L f = ( I 1 + I 2 ) ω L f = ( I 1 + I 2 ) ω

Putting values in the equation of conservation of angular momentum, we have :

I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 = ( I 1 + I 2 ) ω I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 = ( I 1 + I 2 ) ω

ω = I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 I 1 + I 2 ω = I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 I 1 + I 2

Hence, option (c) is correct.

## Application level (Conservation of angular momentum)

### Exercise 5

Two disks of moments of inertia I 1 I 1 and I 2 I 2 and having angular velocities ω 1 ω 1 and ω 2 ω 2 respectively are brought in contact with each other face to face such that their axis of rotation coincides. The situation is as shown in the figure just before the contact. After sometime, the combined system of two rotating disks acquire a common angular velocity. The energy dissipated due to the friction is :

(a) ω 1 ω 2 ( I 1 - I 2 ) 2 2 ( I 1 + I 2 ) (b) I 1 I 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 2 ( I 1 + I 2 ) (c) I 1 I 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 2 ( ω 1 + ω 2 ) (d) 2 I 1 I 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 ( I 1 + I 2 ) (a) ω 1 ω 2 ( I 1 - I 2 ) 2 2 ( I 1 + I 2 ) (b) I 1 I 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 2 ( I 1 + I 2 ) (c) I 1 I 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 2 ( ω 1 + ω 2 ) (d) 2 I 1 I 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 ( I 1 + I 2 )

#### Solution

Applying law of conservation of angular momentum, the expression of common angular velocity is given as (as derived in the earlier question) :

ω = I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 I 1 + I 2 ω = I 1 ω 1 + I 2 ω 2 I 1 + I 2

The energy dissipated due to the friction is equal to the change in the angular kinetic energy. Also as there is dissipation of energy, final angular kinetic energy is less than initial angular kinetic energy of the system. The change in angular kinetic energy, therefore, is :

Δ K = 1 2 x I i ω i 2 - 1 2 x I f ω f 2 Δ K = 1 2 x I i ω i 2 - 1 2 x I f ω f 2

Here, final common angular speed and moment of inertia of the combined system are :

ω f = ω ; I f = I 1 + I 2 ω f = ω ; I f = I 1 + I 2

Putting values, we have :

Δ K = 1 2 x I 1 ω 1 2 - 1 2 x I 2 ω 2 2 = 1 2 x ( I 1 + I 2 ) ω 2 Δ K = 1 2 x I 1 ω 1 2 - 1 2 x I 2 ω 2 2 = 1 2 x ( I 1 + I 2 ) ω 2

Substituting value of common angular velocity and solving, we have :

Δ K = I 1 I 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 2 ( I 1 + I 2 ) Δ K = I 1 I 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 2 ( I 1 + I 2 )

Hence, option (b) is correct.

##### Note:
We observe here that ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 ( ω 1 - ω 2 ) 2 is a square of difference of angular velocities. This means that this term is always positive. In turn, it means coupling two rotating disks due to friction will involve dissipation of angular kinetic energy of the system. In terms of angular kinetic energy, K i > K f K i > K f .

### Exercise 6

A cubical block of mass “M” and sides “L” hits a small obstruction at "p", while moving with a velocity “v” as shown in the figure. If the the block topples, then the angular speed of the block about "P", just after it hits the obstruction, is :

(a) 3 v 4 L (b) 4 v 3 L (c) 3 L 4 v (d) 4 L 3 v (a) 3 v 4 L (b) 4 v 3 L (c) 3 L 4 v (d) 4 L 3 v

#### Solution

The line of action of the force on the block due to obstruction passes through the axis of rotation about which block suddenly rotates i.e. about the obstruction for a brief period. These forces (operating at the time of collision) do not constitute torque. We can, therefore, conclude that there is no torque on the block. According to law of conservation of angular momentum,

L i = L f L i = L f

The angular momentum of the block, treating it as a particle like body in translation, about the point of obstruction,"P", is :

L i = - M v r = - M v L 2 L i = - M v r = - M v L 2

Negative sign indicates that the angular momentum of the block about "P" is clockwise. The angular momentum of the block after collision, now treating it as a rigid body rotating about the axis perpendicular to the plane of motion and passing through the point of obstruction, is :

L f = I ω L f = I ω

where “ω” is the angular velocity of the block about the axis of rotation.

Thus,

- M v L 2 = I ω - M v L 2 = I ω

For moment of inertia of the block, it can be treated like a square plate. Its MI about the axis passing through COM is,

I COM = ( L 2 + L 2 ) 12 = M L 2 6 I COM = ( L 2 + L 2 ) 12 = M L 2 6

Recall that the formula used for MI here is that of plate about an axis that passes through COM but which is in the plane of plate. It is a valid assumption as cube can be considered to be a cylinder with square face. Since MI of the plate and its corresponding cylinder are same, MI of the cube is same as that of corresponding square plate.

Here, the axis can be considered to lie in the central plane consisting of its COM. A central plane with perpendicular axis is shown for an enlarged cube. Since cube is symmetric about any such axis as seen from any of the six faces, we can conclude that MI as calculated above is about an axis, which is perpendicular to the plane of motion and passing through its COM. Now, using theorem of parallel axes, we have MI about the point of obstruction :

I = I COM + M r 2 I = I COM + M r 2

From the geometry,

OP = r = L 2 OP = r = L 2

r 2 = L 2 2 r 2 = L 2 2

Putting in the expression,

I = M L 2 6 + M L 2 2 = 2 M L 2 3 I = M L 2 6 + M L 2 2 = 2 M L 2 3

Now, putting in the equation of conservation of angular momentum, we have :

- M v L 2 = 2 M L 2 3 x ω - M v L 2 = 2 M L 2 3 x ω

ω = - 3 v 4 L ω = - 3 v 4 L

The negative sign indicates that the cubical block overturns in clockwise rotation about point "P". The angular speed of the block about obstruction, therefore, is equal to the magnitude of angular velocity.

Hence, option (a) is correct.


1. (b) and (d)   2. (a)    3. (b)    4. (c)
5. (b)           6. (a)


## Content actions

PDF | EPUB (?)

### What is an EPUB file?

EPUB is an electronic book format that can be read on a variety of mobile devices.

PDF | EPUB (?)

### What is an EPUB file?

EPUB is an electronic book format that can be read on a variety of mobile devices.

#### Collection to:

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks

#### Module to:

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks