Angular Momentum of a uniform rod

AI Thread Summary
A uniform rod on a frictionless surface pivots at one end and is struck by a bullet, leading to a conservation of angular momentum scenario. The bullet's mass is one-fourth that of the rod, and the goal is to find the final angular speed after the collision. The initial angular momentum is calculated using the bullet's velocity and the rod's moment of inertia, while the final angular momentum incorporates the combined moment of inertia after the bullet embeds in the rod. The correct final angular speed is derived as 6v/19L, with discussions focusing on the calculations of angular momentum and moment of inertia before and after the collision. Clarifications on the differences in angular inertia formulas are also sought, particularly regarding the division factors used.
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A uniform rod of length L rests on a frictionless horizontal surface. The rod pivots about a fixed frictionless axis at one end. The rod is initially at rest. A bullet traveling parallel to the horizontal surface and perpendicular to the rod with speed v strikes the rod at its center and becomes embedded in it. The mass of the bullet is one-fourth the mass of the rod.

What is the final angular speed of the rod?

Ok, so the answer is 6v/19L, but I don't know how to get there. I have been using angular momentum concepts, but I don't get that answer it wants.

Been on this question for many hours, thanks in advance :smile:
 
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Since there's no external torque, the system's angular momentum is conserved. (The system consists of the bullet and the rod.) So what's the angular momentum of the system before the collision? What is it after, in terms of L and v?
 
Quick question--what did you get for the combined I after collision? Should be something like mL^2(1/3 +1/16) where m = mass os rod.
 
ideasrule said:
Since there's no external torque, the system's angular momentum is conserved. (The system consists of the bullet and the rod.) So what's the angular momentum of the system before the collision? What is it after, in terms of L and v?

Before:
m_{B}=m_{r}/4
v=L\omega/2
\omega=2v/L

P_{net}=m_{r}L^{2}(0)/3+m_{B}\frac{L}{2}\omega=m_{r}L^{2}v/4

After:
I_p=I_{rod}+m_BL^2/4=19/48*m_rL^2

P_{net}=19/48*m_rL^2\omega

Solution:
m_rL^2v/4=19/48*m_rL^2\omega\Rightarrow\omega=12v/19

I got close but I mest up somewhere :frown:
 
denverdoc said:
Quick question--what did you get for the combined I after collision? Should be something like mL^2(1/3 +1/16) where m = mass os rod.

Yeah I did get that Moment of Inertia
 
Shifty said:
Before:

P_{net}=m_{r}L^{2}(0)/3+m_{B}\frac{L}{2}\omega=m_{r}L^{2}v/4

Check this step. Your L's should cancel.
 
Shifty said:
P_{net}=19/48*m_rL^2\omega

Try calculating the angular moment of the rod and of the bullet separately, then adding them together. Once you correct the previous mistake I pointed out, you'll see why.
 
ideasrule said:
Try calculating the angular moment of the rod and of the bullet separately, then adding them together. Once you correct the previous mistake I pointed out, you'll see why.

P_{net}=m_rv/4=m_rL^2\omega/3+m_b(L/2)^2\omega=m_rL^2/3+m_rL^2\omega/16

That gives me:
P_{net}=19/48*m_rL^2\omega\Rightarrow\omega=12v/19L^2

Not quite there yet.
 
ideasrule said:
Try calculating the angular moment of the rod and of the bullet separately, then adding them together. Once you correct the previous mistake I pointed out, you'll see why.

Got it:
P_{initial}=m_rvL/8

Then it works. Thanks, I realized that the angular momentum of the bullets should have been the same, your suggestion worked :).
 
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Shifty said:
P_{net}=m_{r}L^{2}(0)/3+m_{B}\frac{L}{2}\omega=m_{r}L^{2}v/4

Sorry to bump this thread, but could someone explain to me why the last term is divided by four and not 3? In other words, why is the formula for angular inertia changing from (m*l^2)/3 to (m*l^2)/4?
 
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