Classical Mechanics - Rotational Motion


A child is standing on the edge of a merry-go-around that has the shape of a solid disk, as shown in the figure. The mass of the child is 40 kilograms. The merry-go-around has a mass 200 kilograms and a radius of 2.5 meters and it is rotating with an angular velocity of 2.0 radians per second. The child then walk slowly toward the center of the merry-go-around. What will the final angular velocity of the merry-go-around when the child reaches the center? (The size of the child can be neglected).

A. 2.0 rad/s
B. 2.2 rad/s
C. 2.4 rad/s
D. 2.6 rad/s
E. 2.8 rad/s
(GR0177 #89)

Solution:

Angular Momentum: L =

Conservation of Angular Momentum:

∑ Li = ∑ Lf
(IIc)ω (Im' Ic')ω' 
ω' ω(IIc)/(Im' Ic')

Moment inertia of the uniform disk is the same before and after the child moves to the center:

Im ImI= ½ mmr= ½ (200)(2.5)2
ω 2 rad/s

Initally, moment inertia of the child:

Imcr= (40)(2.5)2

When the child reaches the center, r = 0:

Ic= 0

Thus,

ω' ω(IIc)/(Im' Ic')
= (2) [½(200)(2.5)2 + (40)(2.5)2] / [½ (200)(2.5)2]
= (2) [½(200) + (40)] / [½ (200)]
= 280/100
= 2.8 rad/s

Answer: E

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