K17PH Physics

Angular Momentum
Lesson Overview
In the last topic, we studied the moment of inertia of shapes about different axes of
rotation. In this week, we will find the equations for angular momentum and rotational
kinetic energy.

Learning objectives

o Understand the angular momentum .

o Understand the rotational kinetic energy

Keywords
Angular momentum, rotational kinetic energy
 Angular momentum
The angular momentum of a body rotating with moment of inertia and angular velocity is
defined as

𝐿= 𝐼 𝜔
is measured in units of kg

Equation above is analogous to the expression for linear momentum, and the
same conservation of momentum principle applies. In this case, we can state that
the angular momentum of a rotating rigid body is conserved unless an external
torque acts on the body.

If we want to describe the angular momentum at a point, then we can substitute

forEXPLORE
and
 Angular momentum
If we want to describe the angular momentum at a point, then we can
substitute for and

The conservation of angular momentum has some interesting consequences.

Since angular momentum depends on the moment of inertia, then it depends
on the distribution of mass about the axis. If the moment of inertia increases,
the angular velocity must decrease to keep the angular momentum constant,
and vice versa.
 Example
An ice skater is spinning with his arms extended. His
angular velocity is 7.0 rad s-1. What is his angular
velocity if he pulls his arms in to his sides? The
moment of inertia of the skater is 4.7 kg m2 when his
arms are extended, and 1.8 kg m2 when they are by
his sides. The angular momentum of the skater must
be conserved, so the initial angular momentum must
equal the final angular momentum.

The angular momentum of the skater must be conserved,

so the initial angular momentum must equal the final
angular momentum.
 Rotational kinetic
energy
There are also expressions for calculating work done and kinetic energy in rotational
motion, that are again analogous to expressions used to describe linear motion.

work done =
In above Equation, is the torque and is the angular displacement. This equation tells
us the work done when a torque applied to an object produces an angular
displacement of the object.

A spinning body has kinetic energy. The rotational kinetic energy of a body is given by:

Rotational =

Note that this energy is due to the rotation about an axis. If we consider a wheel
spinning about its axis, then this is the total kinetic energy.
 Rotational kinetic
energy

If we consider a wheel spinning about its axis, then this is the total kinetic energy.
What if the wheel is rolling along the ground? In this case the wheel has both
rotational kinetic energy, due to its turning motion, and translational kinetic energy
due to its moving along the ground. The total kinetic energy in this case is

Total =Rotational + Translation

Total +

Note that the translational speed is the same as the tangential speed at the
circumference of the wheel, so long as the wheel does not slip
 Example
A solid sphere of radius r and mass m has moment of inertia about any axis though
its centre. Calculate the translational and rotational kinetic energies of a sphere of
mass 0.40 kg and radius 20 cm rolling (without slipping) along a horizontal surface
with translational speed 5.0

Translation
Translation
Translation

To find the rotational kinetic energy, we need to find the moment of inertia I and
angular velocity ω of the sphere. If the sphere has a translational speed of then
a point on the circumference of the sphere must also have speed . The angular
velocity is therefore equal to , which in this case is

=
 Example
The rotational kinetic energy is

Rotational
Rotational
Rotational

Rotational
Comparing linear and
angular motion
Comparing linear and
angular motion
Comparing linear and
angular motion