Moment of Inertia and Linear/Angular Momentum

In summary, a disk with an 80 cm diameter and a 1.0 kg clay disk are attached to a central vertical axis. The clay disk is initially at rest and the moment of inertia of the disk is 0.08 kg•m^2. The moment of inertia of the clay about the axis is 0.00016 kg•m^2. The angular momentum of the clay just before impact is 0.004 kg•m^2. The angular speed of the disk after impact is 0.0499001996 rad/s.
  • #1
mparsons06
61
0
1. Homework Statement .

A very thin 1.0 kg disk with diameter 80 cm is mounted horizontally to rotate freely about a central vertical axis. On the edge of the disk, sticking out a little, is a small, essentially mass-less tab, or "catcher." A 1.0 g wad of clay is fired at a speed of 10.0 m/s directly at the tab, perpendicular to it, and tangent to the disk. The clay sticks to the tab, which is initially at rest.

A.) What is the moment of inertia of the clay about the axis? (kg·m^2)

B.) What is the moment of inertia of the disk about the axis? (kg·m^2)

C.) What is the moment of inertia of both the clay and the disk about the axis? (kg·m^2)

D.) What is the linear momentum of the clay before impact? (kg·m^2)

E.) What is the angular momentum of the clay just before impact? (kg·m^2)

F.) What is the angular speed of the disk after impact? (rad/s)


2. The attempt at a solution.

A.) What is the moment of inertia of the clay about the axis? (kg•m^2)
I clay = mass clay * radius^2
I clay = (0.001 kg) * (0.4 m)^2
I clay = 0.00016 kg•m^2

B.) What is the moment of inertia of the disk about the axis? (kg•m^2)
I disk = ½ * mass disk * radius^2
I disk = ½ * (1.0 kg) * (0.4 m)^2
I disk = 0.08 kg•m^2

C.) What is the moment of inertia of both the clay and the disk about the axis? (kg•m^2)
I clay + I disk = mass clay * radius^2 + ½ * mass disk * radius^2
I total = radius^2 (mass clay + ½ * mass disk)
I total = (0.4 m)^2 * (0.001 kg + ½ * 1.0 kg)
I total = 0.08 kg•m^2

D.) What is the linear momentum of the clay before impact? (kg•m^2)
p = mass * velocity
p = (1.0 kg) * (10.0 m/s)
p = 10.0 kg•m^2

E.) What is the angular momentum of the clay just before impact? (kg•m^2)

Angular velocity = ω = radians/s
Radian = length of radius
r = 0.4 m
(10 m/s) ÷ (0.4 m/rad) = 25 rad/s = ω

Angular Momentum = I * ω
I clay = mass * radius^2
Angular Momentum = mass clay * radius^2 * 25 rad/s
Initial Angular Momentum clay = (0.001 kg) * (0.4 m)^2 * (25 rad/s) = 0.004 kg•m^2)

F.) What is the angular speed of the disk after impact? (rad/s)

Initial Angular momentum = Final Angular momentum
Initial Angular Momentum = 0.004
Final Angular Momentum = I total * angular velocity final (of clay and disk)

I total = radius^2 *(mass clay + ½ * mass disk)

Final Angular Momentum = radius^2 * (mass clay + ½ * mass disk) * ω
0.004 = radius^2 * (mass clay + ½ * mass disk) * ω
0.004 = (0.4 m)^2 * (0.501 kg) * ω
ω = (0.004) ÷ (0.4 m)^2 * (0.501 kg)
ω = 0.0499001996 rad/s



But D. is wrong. Where did I mess up?
 
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  • #2
The clay is 1.0 g, not 1.0 kg.
 
  • #3
Minor mistake. Thanks for pointing it out.
 
  • #4
kuruman said:
The clay is 1.0 g, not 1.0 kg.

After changing 1.0 g to 0.001 kg * 10 = 0.01 kg.m/s => correct. Thank you ;)
 
Last edited:

1. What is moment of inertia and why is it important?

Moment of inertia is a measure of an object's resistance to changes in its rotational motion. It is important because it helps us understand how objects move and behave when subjected to external forces.

2. How is moment of inertia calculated?

Moment of inertia is calculated by summing the mass of each particle in an object multiplied by the square of its distance from the axis of rotation.

3. What is the difference between linear momentum and angular momentum?

Linear momentum is a measure of an object's motion in a straight line, while angular momentum is a measure of an object's rotational motion around an axis.

4. How are linear and angular momentum related?

Linear and angular momentum are related through the principle of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of a system remains constant unless acted upon by external forces.

5. How does moment of inertia affect an object's angular velocity?

The moment of inertia of an object determines its angular velocity, with a larger moment of inertia resulting in a slower angular velocity and vice versa. This is because a larger moment of inertia requires more torque to produce the same angular acceleration.

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