Question
Physics Question on System of Particles & Rotational Motion
A disc is rotating with angular speed ω. If a child sits on it, what is conserved :-
A
linear momentum
B
angular momentum
C
kinetic energy
D
potential energy
Answer
angular momentum
Explanation
Solution
When a child sits on a rotating disc, no external torque is introduced.
Hence the angular momentum of the system is conserved.
But the moment of inertia of the system will increase and as a result, the angular speed of the disc will decrease to maintain constant angular momentum.
[∵angular momentum = moment of inertia × angular velocity]