Angular momentum of turntable problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a turntable and two blocks that stick upon impact. The initial approach incorrectly calculated the final angular velocity by treating the system as a single disk. Participants highlighted the need to account for the moment of inertia of the point masses at the rim of the turntable. The correct method involves summing the moments of inertia of both the turntable and the additional masses to find the final angular velocity. The final solution was achieved by properly applying the conservation of angular momentum principles.
Vagabond7
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Homework Statement



A 1.9kg , 20 cm-diameter turntable rotates at 150rpm on frictionless bearings. Two 480g blocks fall from above, hit the turntable simultaneously at opposite ends of a diameter, and stick.

what is the objects angular velocity in rpm right after this event?

Homework Equations



L=Iω where L is angular momentum, I is the moment of inertia and ω is the angular velocity
moment of inertia for a disk rotating about it's center 1/2*m*r^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok, so it seems like a simple conservation problem, so I tried to solve it like one.

I final*ω final = I initial * ω initial
ergo
ω final = (I initial * ω initial)/ I final

convert 150 rpm in rad/s, (150/60)*2\pi =15.71

since the formula for the moment of inertia "I" for a disk rotating about the center is 1/2*m*r^2
I just plug in the values

(.5*1.9kg*.1^2m*15.71 rad/s)/ (.5*(1.9+.96kg)*.1^2m) = 10.44 rad/s

converting back to rpm (10.44/ 2\pi )*60 = 99.66 rpm rounded to 100 rpm.

But this solution is incorrect. What have I done wrong?
 
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You seem to believe that the final moment of inertia is that of a more massive disk, but that is not write. You should treat the system as a disk with two additional masses at its rim.
 
I see what you're saying, but I have no idea how to account for that in the math. Another hint please?
 
Do you know the moment of inertia for a point-mass at a radius r? Just use this (for both masses).
 
You can consider the disk and the masses separately, and sum their ang. mom.
 
Thank you much guys, those tips got me to where I needed to go!

Edit: Oh yeah, I made "I final" equal the sum of the moments of inertia of the disk, and the two point masses. Thanks a bunch.
 
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