UIC Physics Department Physics 141 Laboratory Manual

Conservation of Angular Momentum

The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate that, in the absence of external torques, the angular
momentum of a system is conserved.

Introduction
In this experiment, you will investigate angular momentum, and learn something Figure 1
important about the conditions under which angular momentum is conserved. The
definition of angular momentum, 𝐿, of a particle located a distance 𝑟⃗ away from
some well-defined origin with linear momentum 𝑝⃗ having mass m moving with
velocity 𝑣⃗ as shown in Figure 1 to the right is:

𝐿⃗ 𝑟⃗ 𝑝⃗ 𝑟⃗ 𝑚𝑣⃗ 1

Note that this definition applies only to the angular momentum of a single
particle. In class, you will also discuss the angular momentum of a collection
of particles or a rigid body, but we only need to worry about this single
particle definition for this experiment.

As you can see from Eq. 1 , angular momentum is a vector, which means it has both magnitude and
direction. The magnitude is given by

𝐿 𝑚𝑣𝑟 sin 𝜃 2
⃗
Now, you remember from studying dynamics that one way of writing Newton’s second law is 𝐹⃗ . Let’s
use our definition of torque to find an important interpretation of angular momentum:
⃗ ⃗
𝜏⃗ 𝑟⃗ 𝐹⃗ 𝑟⃗ 3

What does this equation tell us? If the net torque on a particle is equal to the time rate of change of its
⃗
angular momentum, then what will happen if there is no net torque on the particle at all? Then 0,
which means that both the magnitude AND direction of 𝐿⃗ must not change with time! In this unique
situation, we say that 𝐿⃗ is conserved. But remember, for 𝐿⃗ to be conserved, it is essential that there be no
net torque on the object.

Equipment
For this experiment, you will once again be using the air table and spark timer shown below . Please
remember that when the spark timer is on, you must not touch any metal part of the puck! It is only safe to
touch the insulator.
You will use two magnetic pucks, one fixed and one free to move. The pucks consist of one or two ceramic
ring magnets mounted on plastic disks. Please be aware that these disks are very fragile, so it is important
that they never be dropped or banged together.

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UIC Physics Department Physics 141 Laboratory Manual

Conservation of Angular Momentum

Experimental Procedure and Data Analysis

Lab Section Day & Time : ________________________________

Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Station#: ____________

Partner: ______________________________________________________________________

1. Using Figure 1 for reference, list a couple of ways for there to be no net torque on that particle. What
must be true about any forces acting on it?
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Figure 2
2. Put a piece of white paper on top of carbon paper and place two
magnetic pucks on it as shown in Figure 2 a . Then attach the air hoses
to both pucks.

3. Gently place a digital balance on top of air table, then measure the
mass, 𝑚, of the movable puck with the air hose and record its value
below.
𝑚 _____________  ____________ kg

3. Turn airline valve to open it. Begin by leveling the air table with the
movable magnetic pack.

4. Practice launching the movable puck a couple of times towards the

fixed puck so that it follows a trajectory similar to the one shown to the
right bottom . The moving puck should be deflected about 90. After
practicing, make a spark trace.

5. Notice on the diagram that three points along the trajectory have been
labeled A, B and C . For those 3 points, draw arrows on this page that
indicate what you predict to be the direction of the magnetic force not
the velocity! acting on the moveable puck due to the fixed puck. Draw
the arrows to scale, as well. A larger force should receive a longer arrow.

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UIC Physics Department Physics 141 Laboratory Manual

6. Now, let’s define the origin of our coordinate system to be the center of the stationary puck. For 8 points
at regular time intervals, measure and record t, r, , 𝑣, s and the z-component of 𝐿 in Table 1.
Table 1
For an example of how to calculate some of these t r  𝑠 𝑣 𝐿
quantities, refer the sample trace shown in sec. m deg. m m/s kg m2/s
Figure 3.

7. In Excel, create a plot of angular momentum

vs. time.

Question 1. Is it reasonable to say that angular

momentum is conserved about this origin?
Explain how you know.
Table 2
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t r  𝑠 𝑣 𝐿
_______________________________________________________ sec. m deg. m m/s kg m2/s
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8. Now, select a new point far from the center of the Figure 3
stationary puck to be the new origin of our coordinate
system. Remember, a coordinate system is a completely
human-made thing, and we can pick it to be wherever we
want! Repeat the calculations and fill in a new table for
this new origin your trace will be quite messy at the end
of all this! .

9. In Excel, create a plot of angular momentum vs. time.

Question 2. Did your calculations of 𝐿 for the two origins

agree?
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Question 3. If they didn’t, why not?
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UIC Physics Department Physics 141 Laboratory Manual

Question 4. What was special about the first origin that caused 𝐿 to be conserved?
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Question 5. Was there a net torque on the puck about the first origin?
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Question 6. Was there a net torque on the puck about the second origin circle one ?
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Question 7. If your answers to #5 and #6 were different, explain why.
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Question 8. What is the physical interpretation of the slope of your second graph?
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Question 9. At what point during the puck’s motion was the slope of the second graph the largest? Why do
you suppose that was?
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