Conversion of translational momentum to angular momentum

[appa609]

Suppose there was a mass, m1, traveling rightwards at v0. There is a second mass, m2, above the line of motion of m1, and which has a rigid, massless bar of length L attached to its center of mass. This bar extends downwards so that the terminal intersects with the path of m1. When m1 reaches this intersection, it attaches to the bar at its own center of mass, and m1 and m2 move as a single system. How can one find the resulting translational and angular velocities of the final system?

 

[Philip Wood]

Your title is misleading. Linear momentum and angular momentum are separately conserved. Let final velocities of m₁ and m₂ be v₁ and v₂. Write down equations embodying conservation of linear mometum and conservation of angular momentum. You will have to choose a point about which to calculate initial and final angular momenta.

 

[appa609]

Thank you.