A disc is rotating with angular speed . If a child sits on it, what is conserved
- linear momentum
- angular momentum
- kinetic energy
- potential energy
Answer
(2) angular momentum
Solution
When the child sits on the disc, the forces between child and disc are internal; no external torque acts about the axis.
ext = 0 L = I = constant
(I increases, so decreases; kinetic energy L22I decreases.)
Angular momentum is conserved.
Answer: (2)