Conservation of angular momentum in a spinning figure skater

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the conservation of angular momentum in the context of a figure skater's spin. The problem involves calculating the skater's final angular speed after changing the position of his arms from outstretched to wrapped around his body, considering the moment of inertia for both configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of angular momentum, questioning the use of conservation of energy in the original post. There are attempts to calculate the moment of inertia for both the outstretched arms and the wrapped configuration, with some participants suggesting corrections to the formulas used.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correct approach to the problem, with participants providing guidance on the necessary formulas and highlighting missing components, such as the rotational inertia of the torso. Multiple interpretations of the moment of inertia calculations are being examined, and some participants express uncertainty about their results.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster may have omitted the rotational inertia of the torso from their calculations, which is a critical component for an accurate solution. The problem does not specify the inertia of the torso, leading to further questions about its inclusion in the calculations.

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Homework Statement


The outstretched hands and arms of a figure skater preparing for a spin can be considered a slender rod pivoting about an axis through its center. When the skater's hand and arms are brought in and wrapped around his body to execute the spin, the hands and arms can be considered a thin-walled hollow cilinder. His hands and arms have a combine and arms have a combined mass of 8kg. When outstreched, they span 1.8m; when wrapped, they form a cylinder of radius 25cm. The moment of inertia about the axis of rotation of the remainder of his body is constant and equal to .40kg*m^2. If the skater's original angular speed is .40rev/s, what is his final angular speed?


Homework Equations


moment of inertia for slender rod, axis through center I= 1/12ML^2
moment of inertia for hollow cylinder 1/2M(R_1^2 + R_2^2)
conservation of angular momentum I_i*ω_i = I_f*ω_f


The Attempt at a Solution


.4rev/s = 2.51 rad/s
I_i = 1/2*8*1.8^2 = 12.96
ω_i = 2.51
I_f = 1/2*8*(.9^2 + .125^2) = 3.3 +.4 = 3.7

putting those numbers in the conservation of energy formula and i get ω_f = 8.7 rad/s. the back of my book says the answer is 7.16 rad/s.
 
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First of all you do not use conservation of energy for this problem. You use conservation of angular momentum.

I_i = 1/2*8*1.8^2 = 12.96
Above is not correct formula. You miscopied it from your previous.

Secondly you need the formula for a thin cylindrical shell, not a hollow cylinder. You do not know the inner radius so how can you use it?
 
Last edited:
LawrenceC said:
First of all you do not use conservation of energy for this problem. You use conservation of angular momentum.

I_i = 1/2*8*1.8^2 = 12.96
Above is not correct formula. You miscopied it from your previous.

Secondly you need the formula for a thin cylindrical shell, not a hollow cylinder. You do not know the inner radius so how can you use it?
im still off.
I_i = 2.16
I_f = M(R^2) = .5 + .4 = .9 i used thin walled hollow cylinder
2.16*2.5= 5.42
5.42 = .9ω_f
ω_f = 6.02rad/s
did i do something wrong? am i suppose to use thin walled hollow sphere? it gets me 7.39
 
Last edited:
What about inertia of torso? You forgot it...
 
Last edited:
LawrenceC said:
What about inertia of torso? You forgot it...
is there an equation for that or is it already given in the problem. my book says nothing about inertia of torso
 
Torso means body!
 
Habeas corpus!
 
oh well it doesn't matter. i just took my test tonight and probably failed.
 
You omitted the rotational inertia of the body when the arms are outstreached from the calculation. The 2.16 should be 0.40+ 2.16 = 2.56.
 

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