Angular momentum of turntable problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a turntable with a specified mass and diameter that rotates at a given speed. Two blocks fall onto the turntable, and the question focuses on determining the angular velocity after the blocks stick to the turntable.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of angular momentum and the calculation of moment of inertia for the system, questioning the treatment of the additional masses.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints regarding the calculation of moment of inertia for point masses and suggested considering the system's components separately. The original poster acknowledges the guidance and indicates progress in their understanding.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's calculations were based on an incorrect assumption about the moment of inertia of the final system, which led to confusion in their solution approach.

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?
 
Last edited:
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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.
 
Last edited:

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