What is the Direction of the Angular Momentum of a Bike Going Around a Circle?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around determining the direction of the total angular momentum of a bike moving clockwise around a circle. Participants analyze the contributions from both the bike's motion and the rotation of its wheels. One contributor initially believes the answer is option 3, but later realizes that the bike's angular momentum must be considered separately from the wheels' rotation. The correct direction of the total angular momentum is debated, with emphasis on the need to account for the bike's position relative to the center of the circle. Ultimately, the direction of angular momentum is influenced by both the bike's trajectory and the orientation of the wheels.
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Homework Statement



A bike is going clockwise around a circle of radius R (see below). The moment of inertia of each wheel around its center I_cm is NOT negligible. What is the direction of the total Angular Momentum of the bike about the center of the circle (point Q)? Consider when the bike is at the location shown below , and use the directions described in the graph (e.g. vector 2 is pointing to the center of the circle, vector 3 is directed down -perpendicular to the plane-, etc).

CHOICES
1
a vector pointing somewhere between 1 and 2 in quadrant 2
2
a vector pointing somewhere between 2 and 3 in quadrant 3
3
a vector pointing somewhere between 3 and 4 in quadrant 4
4
a vector pointing somewhere between 4 and 1 in quadrant 1


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I thought it was 3 because the biker was perpendicular to the plane of the circle, but that's wrong. So what is the correct answer?
 

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I also get number 3. Considering the movement of the bicycle around Q and the rotation of the wheels about their centres separately, the first gives vector straight down while the second points along axis 4.
 
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