Angular Momentum of a Spinning Coin

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angular momentum of a spinning coin, specifically a 10 g coin with a diameter of 1.3 cm spinning at 16 revolutions per second. The correct formula for angular momentum about the center of mass is established as L = (1/4)MR²ω, where M is mass, R is radius, and ω is angular velocity. The conversation also clarifies the use of the perpendicular axis theorem to derive the rotational inertia of a disk about its diameter, which is (1/4)MR², contrasting it with (1/2)MR² for rotation about a perpendicular axis through the center.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of angular momentum and its calculation
  • Familiarity with rotational inertia concepts
  • Knowledge of the perpendicular axis theorem
  • Basic physics principles related to motion and forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the perpendicular axis theorem in detail
  • Learn how to calculate angular momentum for various shapes and axes of rotation
  • Explore the implications of angular momentum conservation in physical systems
  • Investigate real-world applications of angular momentum in engineering and physics
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in mechanics, particularly those studying rotational dynamics and angular momentum calculations.

cpuwildman
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
I'm trying to calculate the angular momentum of a coin spinning about a vertical diameter about its center of mass. Given is mass, diameter, and angular velocity. I thought it would be L=\frac{1}{4}MR^2\omega. The angular momentum about a point away from the coin I thought would be L=\frac{1}{4}MR^2\omega + Mh^2\omega where h is the distance from the axis containing the diameter of the coin to the point away from the coin. And if the coin's center of mass were moving in a straight line while doing the two above things, then I thought that to each of those would be added MvR. I'm guessing that it is just something simple that I missed in the beginning which propagated the error through the other parts of the problem. Help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
What exactly is the motion of the coin? If it's just spinning about a vertical diameter, you would be correct that the angular momentum is (treating the coin as a thin disk):
L=\frac{1}{4}MR^2\omega
I do not understand the second term in your second equation. Is the coin also revolving about some point with the same angular speed as it is rotating?
 
For the sake of clarity, I will just post the whole question.

A 10 g coin of diameter 1.3 cm is spinning at 16 rev/s about a vertical diameter at a fixed point on a tabletop.

(a) What is the angular momentum of the coin about its center of mass?
(b) What is its angular momentum about a point on the table 10 cm from the coin?
(c) If the coin spins about a vertical diameter at 16 rev/s while its center of mass travels in a straight line across the tabletop at 5 cm/s, what is the angular momentum of the coin about a point on the line of motion?
(d) What is the angular momentum of the coin about a point 10 cm from the line of motion? (There are two answers to this question.)

I appreciate your help.
 
Much clearer. :smile:

This may help you: the angular momentum of an object is the sum of:
(1) the angular momentum of the center of mass
(2) the angular momentum about the center of mass

Thus:
a: See previous post
b: What's the movement of the center of mass?
c: See above
d: See above (there are two answers since you could be on either side of the line of motion)
 
hi, sorry but I am a little slow
Can you explain to me how did you get the formula for the angular momentum please
Thanks for the help
 
Welcome to PF, ChanDdoi.

I'm not sure I understand your question. Which formula are you asking about?

In general, if an object rotates about an axis, the magnitude of the angular momentum will be L = I\omega, where I is the rotational inertia about that axis and \omega is the angular speed.
 
Well, why would the inertia of the coin be \frac{1}{4}MR^2\ i just can't seem to figure it out *may be because I'm slow*
The book said if you treat it as a disk then the inertia would be \frac{1}{2}MR^2\ and if I try to treat it as a sum of bars since it is spinning on a vertical axis then I got lost with the integrals and stuff . Either way I just cannot seem to get that \frac{1}{4}MR^2\

btw, thanks for welcoming me to PF
 
rotational inertia of disk about diameter

Now I see your question: How to find the rotational inertia of a disk spinning about a diameter. If you would like help with the integral, post what you've got and someone will give you a hand.

But the smart way is to use the perpendicular axis theorem.

Note:
\frac{1}{2}MR^2
is the rotational inertia of a disk rotating about a perpendicular axis through its center.
\frac{1}{4}MR^2
is the rotational inertia of a disk rotating about a diameter. The perpendicular axis theorem gives a simple way to calculate one from the other. Here's a link that explains it: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/perpx.html
 

Similar threads

Replies
335
Views
16K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
67
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
909
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
3K