How Is Angular Momentum Calculated in Different Pivot Scenarios?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating angular momentum in two different pivot scenarios involving a measuring stick and an attached mass. For the first pivot at the center, the correct angular momentum was calculated using the moment of inertia formulas, yielding a result of 1.7 kg*m/s. In the second scenario, where the pivot is at the end of the stick, the initial calculations were incorrect due to the omission of the parallel axis theorem. The correct approach involves adding the moment of inertia about the center of mass to the product of the mass and the square of the distance from the center to the new pivot point. Understanding and applying the parallel axis theorem is crucial for accurate calculations in these scenarios.
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Homework Statement


A 2.0-m measuring stick of mass 0.175 kg is resting on a table. A mass of 0.500 kg is attached to the stick at a distance of 74.0 cm from the center. Both the stick and the table surface are frictionless. The stick rotates with an angular speed of 5.30 rad/s.

(a) If the stick is pivoted about an axis perpendicular to the table and passing through its center, what is the angular momentum of the system?

(b) If the stick is pivoted about an axis perpendicular to it and at the end that is furthest from the attached mass, and it rotates with the same angular speed as before, what is the angular momentum of the system?

Homework Equations


L=Iω
I=MR^2
I=(1/12)ML^2
I=(1/3)ML^2
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The Attempt at a Solution



Okay so for the first question I used the moment of inertia formula and treated the mass as a point mass.
(0.500*0.740^2)=0.27
Plus the moment of inertia for the stick(rod) since it passing through the center I used I=(1/12)ML^2
(1/12)(0.175*2^2)=0.058
Then I added and multiplied by the angular velocity
0.27+0.058=0.33*5.3=1.7 kg*m/s

Now this answer was right however when I did the second one I repeated the same process but used I= (1/3)ML^2 because it at the end of the rod.

So I did
(0.500*0.740^2)=0.27
Then
(1/3)(0.175*2^2)=0.23
Then I added and multiplied by the angular velocity
0.27+0.23=0.50*5.3=2.65 rounded to 2.7 kg*m/s

It is saying both 2.65 and 2.7 were wrong. Where did I go wrong?
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Mia said:
Now this answer was right however when I did the second one I repeated the same process but used I= (1/3)ML^2 because it at the end of the rod.
I think what you're missing here is the parallel axis theorem.
 
(Ron)^2=-1 said:
I think what you're missing here is the parallel axis theorem.

Is that I=Icm +Md^2?
 
Mia said:
Is that I=Icm +Md^2?
Yes it is. :smile:
 
(Ron)^2=-1 said:
Yes it is. :smile:
Okay so I would add that to the moment of inertia I had found for the stick then multiply by the angular velocity?
 
Mia said:
Okay so I would add that to the moment of inertia I had found for the stick then multiply by the angular velocity?
You need to find the total moment of inertia with respect to the new axis.
 
(Ron)^2=-1 said:
You need to find the total moment of inertia with respect to the new axis.
Okay I'm getting a little confused.
So I=Icm +Md^2?
Would I use Icm = 1/12ML^2 for the center of mass?
thenMd^2
would d=1m since that would be the distance from the end of the rod to the center?
 
Mia said:
Would I use Icm = 1/12ML^2 for the center of mass?
thenMd^2
would d=1m since that would be the distance from the end of the rod to the center?
Yes, you're right! D is the distance from the centre of mass axis (axis of symmetry).

Always remember: The moment of inertia Icm is always with respect to the centre of mass, from which there is a symmetric distribution of mass (at least for homogeneous rigid bodies). So whenever you need to calculate the moment of inertia with respect to another parallel axis you can use the parallel axis theorem.
 
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