Is Angular Momentum Conserved in a System of Rotating Coils?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the conservation of angular momentum in a system of two concentric coils carrying currents and rotating about their common diameter. The original poster is exploring the conditions under which angular momentum is conserved, particularly in the context of an isolated system and the effects of induced electromotive force (emf).

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions how angular momentum can be conserved if the net torque is not necessarily zero, despite the system being isolated. They explore the implications of induced emf and its effect on torque calculations. Other participants raise points about the influence of changing fields on momentum conservation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of angular momentum conservation. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of angular impulse as an alternative approach, but no consensus has been reached on the core question.

Contextual Notes

The problem assumes no external forces act on the system and that the coils are resistanceless, which may impact the discussion on energy conservation and induced emf.

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angular momentum conservation??

A coil of radius R carries a current I. The plane of another concentric coil of radius r (r << R) carrying current I is perpendicular to the first coil. Both are isolated from rest of the universe and are free to rotate about their common diameter (but not free to translate). Find the maximum KE of the smaller coil. (Assume that there is no friction anywhere).

My problem here is about angular momentum. Since angular momentum is conserved when the net torque acting on the system is zero. Can anyone justify as how angular momentum is conserved, if at all?

I was thinking that since the coils are only rotating, so its only torque that can do work. Since the system is isolated from rest of the universe, no external agent will do work in the system. So, the total energy of the system shall remain constant. (Assuming no heat loss as the coils are assumed to be resistanceless). So, the net torque acting on the system must remain zero.
But at the same time i also felt that the net WD by the torque may be zero, but still the net torque may not be zero.
Thus, from these arguments, what shall we conclude about angular momentum. Or is there any other arguments to justify the conservation of angular momentum or otherwise.

I was also wondering that since the coils rotate, emf will be induced in the coils, and so it will be tough to calculate the torque acting on both the coils during the process of its motion.
Please help!
 
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why is no one answering this question?
 


If you have a changing magnetic field and changing electric field,they store momentum,so you can't apply conservation of angular momentum to this situation...
 


Thx, I will try to the same question using angular impulse, i guess it would work out that way.
 

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