Angular momentum lab:
Simulation of rotational dynamics, rotational inertia and conservation of angular momentum
Purpose 1. To apply rotational kinematics and dynamics to a mass falling while suspended from a pulley;
2. To study the conservation of angular momentum and apply it to the situation of two colliding disks
Introduction This online lab exercise will allow you to simulate several experiments in rotational motion. In the first two parts, hanging masses will be allowed to fall, and you will calculate their final velocities and compare them with the values presented by the simulators. The two different simulators used in Part 1 and Part 2 allows you to change the type of pulley, and therefore its moment of inertia. In Part 3, you will explore the concept of angular momentum through two videos including a video experiment. You will apply the conservation of angular moment to a system comprising two disks which undergo an inelastic collision, in order to find the final angular velocity of the system.
Angular momentum is a vector denoted by �. For a point object of mass �, the magnitude of the angular momentum, �, is given by
� = � � sin � = � � = �� , (1) where � is the perpendicular distance from the point about which angular momentum is computed to the direction of p, the linear momentum of the particle object. Similarly � is the component of the linear momentum that is perpendicular to �. In this description, � is the radial vector from the axis about which angular momentum is computed to the particle.
For an extended object, � = ��, where � is the moment of inertia of the extended object or system, and � is the angular velocity. Note that for a point object you can still use � = ��, and since I for a point object � = �� , and � = ��, we recover L = rꓕp or rpꓕ.
Software This lab runs in any web browser. The simulation tools used are: Part 1: https://ophysics.com/r5.html Part 2: http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/HTML5/block_and_pulley_energy.html Part 3: 3 separate videos, links given below in the text.
Brooklyn College 1
Part 1: Rotational dynamics For the diagram shown, the hanging mass is allowed to fall, thus pulling on the string and rotating the pulley.
1) Draw the free body force diagram. Use Newton’s second law and also the rotational version of Newton’s second law: Net Torque = � � , where � is the moment of inertia, and α is the angular acceleration. Using the two equations, derive a formula for the angular acceleration of the pulley in terms of �, � and � (and �). To get you started, note that:
• The torque acting on the pulley is caused by the weight of the pulling mass. That weight force, �� generates a torque of ��� on the pulley, about an axis running through its middle. • The magnitude of the acceleration of the hanging mass is equal to the magnitude of the acceleration of the rim of the pulley. • The tangential acceleration, �, of a rotating object at radius � from the axis of rotation can be written in terms of the angular acceleration as follows: � = � �. • In this experiment you will use two different pulley types and therefore you will use two different expressions for the moment of inertia, � of the pulley. Those expression for � are given below.
2) Open the simulator: https://ophysics.com/r5.html
In the simulation type, select falling mass, and in mass distribution select solid cylinder. The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder of mass M, radius r about an axis that M, mass runs perpendicular to the cylindrical face, though its of pulley center, is �� .
� = 1.5 3) Adjust the mass of the falling mass to kg, r, radius of and the mass of the pulley, � to 5 kg, and the radius of pulley the pulley, � to 0.5 m. Notice that we are using the m, pulley as a solid cylinder. Click start and wait till � and � pulling become displayed then click pause. mass
4) Using step 1 above, calculate the angular acceleration � of the pulley and also the linear acceleration a of the rim of the pulley and of pulling mass �. Compare to the measured values given by the simulator.
5) Calculate the net torque on the pulley. Compare with the measured value by the simulator.
6) Repeat the above steps for the pulley as a solid sphere. The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder of mass M, radius r about an axis through its center is: �� .
After you complete the above for both a solid cylinder pulley and a solid sphere pulley, go to the next part of the lab: Part 2, Energy considerations.
Brooklyn College 2
Part 2: Energy considerations Recall, for a mass m at height y above some nominal zero of gravitational potential energy: