HW - Angular Momentum Intro Name: _________________________________

AP Physics 1 - JJHS

What is Angular Momentum?

● Any rotating object has angular momentum about its axis
● Angular momentum is conserved in a collision just like linear momentum
● Angular momentum and linear momentum are conserved independently.
○ They are different quantities entirely
○ It’s not possible to transfer or convert one type to another type

Equations:
● Angular Momentum: 𝐿 = 𝐼ω
○ L = Angular Momentum. Units: kg*m 2/s
○ I = Rotational Inertia. Units: kg*m2
○ ω = Angular Velocity. Units: rad/s
● Conservation of Angular Momentum: 𝐿𝑖 = 𝐿𝑓

1) Determine the angular momentum of the following objects

a) A spinning disk (I = ½ mr 2) with a mass of 1kg, a radius of 10cm, spinning around its center with a
rotational rate of 1 rotation per second.

b) A bar rotating around its end (I = ⅓ mL 2) with a length of 1m, a mass of 3kg, and rotating at a rate of
1 rotation every 2 seconds

c) Earth (I = 0.33mr2) rotates about its axis once every day. M = 6 x 1024 kg, and r = 6.4 x 106 m.

2) A spinning disk (I = ½ mr 2) with a mass of 1kg, a radius of 10cm, spinning around its center with a
rotational rate of 1 rotation per second. A 500kg mass (I = mr 2) is then placed on, and sticks to, the outer edge
of the disk. What will be the angular speed of the disk/mass system after the mass is placed on it?
You will need to use Li = Lf to solve this problem.