Angular Velocity, Momentum, and Kinetic Energy

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A merry-go-round with a mass of 1000 kg and a diameter of 4 m is initially at rest and is pushed with a tangential force of 500 N for 10 seconds, resulting in an angular velocity of 1.25 radians/sec, angular momentum of 2500 Nxmxs, and rotational kinetic energy of 1562.5 J. When a 1 kg girl is placed on the rim, the conservation of angular momentum principle indicates that the angular velocity remains constant, but the system's moment of inertia increases. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing that external forces do not affect angular momentum once the force is removed. The calculations for the final rotational kinetic energy and the fraction of initial kinetic energy lost as heat are still needed. Understanding these principles is crucial for solving similar physics problems.
xobeckynoel
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1. A merry go round (1000kg) initially at rest with a diameter of 4m is pushed with a tangential force of 500N for 10s. Find the angular velocity, angular momentum, and rotational kinetic energy. After this, a little girl (mass - 1 kg) is placed on the rim of the merry go round.. Calculate the final rKE, final angular velocity, and what fraction of the initial rotational KE is lost as heat.



2. I used-
s = r x theta
F = ma
v = d/t
a = v/t
c = pi x d
angular velocity (w) = theta / t
angular momentum (L) = Inertia / w
rKE = 1/2 I w^2




3. By using the basic kinematic equations I got that d = 50m, and then calculated that to be 25 radians. I found theta to be 12.5 radians, and then using the equations found w = 1.25 radians/sec, L = 2500 Nxmxs, and KE = 1562.5 J.

For part B, it says to assume the little girl is a point mass- I am assuming she will decrease the acceleration because she increases the mass... but then I'm still missing time variables. HELP!
 
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welcome to pf!

hi xobeckynoel! welcome to pf! :smile:

(have a theta: θ and an omega: ω and try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)
xobeckynoel said:
By using the basic kinematic equations I got that d = 50m, and then calculated that to be 25 radians. I found theta to be 12.5 radians, and then using the equations found w = 1.25 radians/sec, L = 2500 Nxmxs, and KE = 1562.5 J.

it's difficult to check your work unless you show your full calculations :wink:
For part B, it says to assume the little girl is a point mass- I am assuming she will decrease the acceleration because she increases the mass... but then I'm still missing time variables.

i think you're misinterpreting the question …

the force (and the acceleration) has stopped before the girl gets on …

the merry-go-round has constant angular velocity both before and after she gets on, and you need to use conservation of angular momentum (momentum and angular momentum are always conserved if there is no relevant external force or torque :wink:)
 
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