AH Exp – Mechanics 05 – Conservation of angular momentum

Aim – To investigate the effect of pulling weights closer to the body whilst on a rotating chair.

Instructions

A person is sitting on a rotating chair and holding a 2 kg mass in each hand at arms length.

▪ Pull the arms closer to the body to the body and note any change in angular velocity.
▪ Push the arms back out and again note any change in angular velocity.
▪ Consider the relationship for angular momentum (L = mvr = mωr²) and explain the results.

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