Angular momentum after a collision

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The discussion revolves around calculating the angular momentum of a disk after it collides with a vertical rod. The moment of inertia of the disk is derived using the parallel axis theorem, and the initial angular momentum is expressed in terms of the disk's velocity and geometry. However, the solution presented is incorrect because it assumes pure rotation about the pivot point, which does not apply to the disk's motion before the collision. A general theorem for angular momentum of rigid bodies that accounts for both rotation and translation should be utilized instead. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurately determining the angular momentum after the collision.
Jenny Physics
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Homework Statement


A disk of radius ##r## and mass ##m## rolls down an inclined plan. It reaches the end of the plane with velocity ##v_{f}## and collides with a vertical rod of length ##L## and mass ##M## sticking with it. See figure.
24cw02c.png

What is the angular momentum magnitude and direction after the collision?

Homework Equations


$$L=I_{disk}\omega$$

The Attempt at a Solution


The moment of inertia of the disk relative to the pivot is (using the parallel axis theorem)
$$I_{disk}=\frac{1}{2}mr^{2}+m(L+r)^{2}$$.
Angular momentum is conserved. The initial (and hence the final i.e. right after the collision) angular momentum is

$$L_{initial}=I_{disk}\omega=I_{disk}\frac{v_{f}\cos\theta}{L+r}=m\left[\frac{1}{2}mr^{2}+m(L+r)^{2}\right]\frac{v_{f}\cos\theta}{L+r}$$

Angular momentum points out of the plane since rotation is counterclockwise

However the solution is different . Where am I wrong?
 

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Jenny Physics said:
$$L=I_{disk}\omega$$ $$I_{disk}=\frac{1}{2}mr^{2}+m(L+r)^{2}$$.
These two equations would be applicable only if the disk is in pure rotation about the pivot point (at the top of the rod). But this is not the type of motion that the disk has just before the collision. There is a general theorem for the angular momentum of a rigid body that you can use. See, for example, the equation in the box in the section "The Angular Momentum of a Rigid Object Rotating and Translating" at this link
https://scripts.mit.edu/~srayyan/PE...of_a_Rigid_Body_both_Rotating_and_Translating
 
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