Angular Momentum: Puck Spinning

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a puck with a specified mass and initial distance from the center of rotation, moving at a given speed. The scenario describes the puck's motion as a string is pulled, affecting its distance and potentially its angular momentum and kinetic energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of angular momentum and its implications for the puck's motion. There are questions regarding the factors used in kinetic energy calculations and the relevance of angular velocities. Some participants suggest alternative approaches to the problem, such as focusing on linear momentum.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants questioning the calculations and assumptions made regarding the moment of inertia and kinetic energy. There is recognition of discrepancies in the equations presented, and some participants are exploring the relationship between angular momentum and linear velocity.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the complexities of angular momentum and kinetic energy, with some confusion around the factors involved in the equations. The problem context is constrained by the specific parameters given for the puck's mass, distance, and speed.

minimario
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Homework Statement


The puck in the figure shown below has a mass of 0.120 kg. Its original distance from the center of rotation is 40.0 cm, and it moves with a speed of 80.0 cm/s. The string is pulled downward 15.0 cm through the hole in the frictionless table. Determine the work done on the puck.

4gWOb2a.png

Homework Equations



## L = I \omega##
##KE = 1/2 \cdot I \cdot \omega^2 ##

The Attempt at a Solution



Consider angular momentum. Note it's conserved.

Therefore, ## \frac{1}{2}mr_i^2 \omega_i = \frac{1}{2} mr_f^2 \omega_f \Rightarrow r_i^2 \omega_i =r_f^2 \omega_f ##

Note that ##\omega_i = 80 cm/s = 2 rad/s## (because 2pi radians is one revolution, which is 80pi cm, so 1 radian is 40 cm)

Threrefore, ##0.40^2 \cdot 2 = 0.25^2 \cdot \omega_f \Rightarrow \omega_f = 5.12##

Note that Work Done is the change in kinetic energy. KE initial is equal to ## 1/2 (1/2 \cdot 0.12 \cdot 0.4*0.4) \cdot 2^2 ## (1/2 Iw^2 = 1/2 (1/2mr^2)w^2). KE final is simialrly equal to ## 1/2 (1/2 \cdot 0.12 \cdot 0.25 \cdot 0.25 \cdot 5.12^2##.

We can do the calculation, to get the change as 0.029952. But the book says answer is 5.99*10^-2.

What's wrong?
 
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minimario said:
KE initial is equal to ## 1/2 (1/2 \cdot 0.12 \cdot 0.4*0.4) \cdot 2^2 ## (1/2 Iw^2 = 1/2 (1/2mr^2)w^2). KE final is simialrly equal to ## 1/2 (1/2 \cdot 0.12 \cdot 0.25 \cdot 0.25 \cdot 5.12^2##.
What's the (extra) factor of 1/2 for? (I see an extra one in both initial and final KE's)

You don't even need to bother with angular velocities. (You can solve it that way if you'd like, but it's redundant.) You can just use the angular momentum of a particle = mvr
 
minimario said:
##KE = 1/2 \cdot I \cdot \omega^2 ##

##\ldots##

Therefore, ## \frac{1}{2}mr_i^2 \omega_i = \frac{1}{2} mr_f^2 \omega_f \Rightarrow r_i^2 \omega_i =r_f^2 \omega_f ##

Do you see the discrepancy between the two quoted lines?
 
Last edited:
Nathanael said:
What's the (extra) factor of 1/2 for? (I see an extra one in both initial and final KE's)

You don't even need to bother with angular velocities. (You can solve it that way if you'd like, but it's redundant.) You can just use the angular momentum of a particle = mvr

How do you get that angular momentum of a particle = mvr

@tms, EDIT: No, the kinetic energy isn't being calculated there. That's the conservation of angular momentum, which is Iw.

FINAL EDIT: I see the problem now. Moment of inertia is mr^2, not 1/2 mr^2.
 
minimario said:
How do you get that angular momentum of a particle = mvr
Angular momentum of a particle equals Iω, but I=mr2, so the angular momentum is mωr2
Since, ωr=v, the angular velocity is mvr
 
Nathanael said:
Angular momentum of a particle equals Iω, but I=mr2, so the angular momentum is mωr2
Since, ωr=v, the angular velocity is mvr
You mean, the angular momentum is mvr, yes?
 
haruspex said:
You mean, the angular momentum is mvr, yes?
Oops! Mindless typo, thanks.
 

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