Conservation of Angular Momentum

Background
When the ring is dropped onto the rotating disk, there is no net torque on the system since the
torque on the ring is equal and opposite to the torque on the disk. Therefore, there is no change in
angular momentum; angular momentum (L) is conserved.
! L = I i i = I f f
The moment of inertia of a disk is given as: ! I disk =

1
MR 2 .
2

The moment of inertia of the thick ring is given as: ! I thick ring =

1
M (R12 + R22 )
2

Based on the conservation of angular momentum, the final rotational speed can be calculated.
! I disk i = (I disk + I thick ring ) f

R o t a r y M ot i o n S e n s o r

Experiment 3: Conservation of Angular Momentum

Setup
Setup
1.

1. Mount
the Rotary
MotionSensor
Sensor to
rodrod
and
Mount
the Rotary
Motion
toaasupport
support
connect
it
to
the
interface.
Place
the
disk
directly
on
and connect it to the interface. Place the disk the
pulley as shown in Figure 3.1.
directly on the pulley as shown in the figure.

Disk

2.

2.

In the data acquisition software, create an experiment to

measure the angular velocity (in radians per second)
(in second)
of the disk
beforean
and after the
In theversus
data time
acquisition
software,
create
ring
is
dropped
on
top
of
it.
experiment to measure the angular velocity (in

radians
per second)
versus
time (indrag
second)
of the
In PASCO
Capstone,
for example,
the Graph
icon
disk before
afterpalette
the ring
is dropped
top of
from theand
Displays
to the
workbook.on
Select
it. Angular Velocity (rad/s) for the vertical axis, and
Time (s) for the horizontal axis.

Procedure
1.

Hold the ring with the pins facing up just above the center of the disk.

2.

Give the disk a spin with your hand and click Record to
begin recording data.

3.

After about 25 data points have been recorded, drop the

ring on the spinning disk. See Figure 3.2.

4.

Click Stop to end data recording after the disk and ring
have made a few rotations..

RMS with
3-step Pulley

Support
Rod

Figure 3.1: Setup for Dropping Ring onto Disk

Ring

versus time (in second) of the disk before and after the
ring is dropped on top of it.

In PASCO Capstone, for example, drag the Graph icon

from the Displays palette to the workbook. Select
Angular Velocity (rad/s) for the vertical axis, and
RMS with
Support
3-step Pulley
Time (s)for
forexample,
the horizontal
axis.
Rod
In
PASCO
Capstone,
drag
the
Graph
icon
from
the
Displays
palette
to
the

Figure
Setup(s)
for Dropping
workbook. Select Angular Velocity (rad/s) for the vertical axis,
and3.1:
Time
for the Ring onto Disk
Procedure
horizontal axis.

1.

Hold the ring with the pins facing up just above the center of the disk.

Ring

Procedure2. Give the disk a spin with your hand and click Record to
begin recording data.

1.

Hold the ring with the pins facing up just above the
3. ofAfter
about 25
center
the disk.
data points have been recorded, drop the
ring on the spinning disk. See Figure 3.2.

2.

3.

4.

Click Stop to end data recording after the disk and ring

5.

In the Graph display, select the region of the data that

represents when the ring was dropped onto the disk.

Give thehave
diskmade
a spin
with
your hand and click Record
a few
rotations..
to begin recording data.
After6.about
25Graph
data display,
points select
have the
been
drop
In the
datarecorded,
analysis tool
that
the ring on
the
spinning
disk.

shows the coordinates of any point in the plot of data

Figure 3.2: Drop Ring onto Disk

and move the cursor to the data point that is immediately before the collision. Record the Angular Velocity
at this point as the initial angular velocity in Data Table 1.

4.

Click Stop to end data recording after the disk and

7. Move the cursor to the data point immediately after the collision. Record the Angular Velocity at this point
ring haveasmade
a few
rotations..
the final
angular
velocity in Data Table 1.
8.

5.

Weigh the ring and disk and record their masses. Measure the inner and outer radii of the ring, and the radius
of thedisplay,
disk. Record
these
values
in Data
Table
1.
In the Graph
select
the
region
of the
data

that represents when the ring was dropped onto

Analysis
the disk.
1.

Calculate the theoretical value for the final angular velocity and record this value in the Data Table.

6.

In the2. Graph
display,
selectdifference
the databetween
analysis
Calculate
the percent
thetool
experimental and theoretical values of the final angular velocity
and
record
it
in
the
Data
Table.
that shows the coordinates of any point in the plot
of data and move the cursor to the data point that
isQuestions
immediately before the collision. Record the
Angular
Velocity
at this
point asresult
the initial
1. How
does the
experimental
for the final angular velocity compare with the theoretical value for the
angular velocity
in the
data table.
final angular
velocity?

7.

Move the cursor to the data point immediately after the collision. Record the Angular
x p e r i m ein
n t the
G uidata
d e table.
16
Velocity
at this point as the final angularEvelocity

8.

Calculate the theoretical value for the final angular velocity and record this value in the
Data Table.

9.

Calculate the percent difference between the experimental and theoretical values of the
final angular velocity and record it in the Data Table.

10. Repeat the above process with a disk instead of the thick ring. (Ask the instructor for a
disk)

Note : The percent(%) difference is given by ! %difference =

The % kinetic energy lost is given by  %KE lost =

measured calculated
100 .
measured + calculated

K
100 .
Ki