PHYS 31, SCU Physics Dept.

, Spring 2024 Name:

Lecture Instructor Lab Partners:

Lab 10: Angular Momentum and Rolling Motion

Part 1: Conservation of Angular Momentum

In this part of the lab we will investigate conservation of angular momentum during a collision between a rotating
disk and a cylindrical tube.
The angular momentum, L, ~ of a particle with a mass m and a linear velocity ~v with respect to a fixed point,
typically the origin, is given as
~ = ~r × p~ = m(~r × ~v )
L (1)
where ~r is the position vector locating the object relative to a fixed point. Thus, we can write the magnitude of the
angular momentum as L = rmv sinθ, where θ is the angle between ~r and p~.
The angular momentum component of a rigid body rotating about a fixed axis is given as

L = Iω (2)

where I is the moment of inertia and ω is the angular speed, pointing in the direction along the axis of rotation
specified by the right hand rule.
Similar to translational motion, we can write Newton’s Second Law in terms of torque and angular momentum
~
as ~τ = ddtL . Consequently, if the net external torque acting on the system is zero, the angular momentum remains
constant (∆L ~ = 0):
~ initial = L
L ~ f inal (3)
We can express this in term of the moment of inertia and angular speed as

Ii ωi = If ωf (4)

This is the fundamental law of conservation of angular momentum that you will be studying in this lab through a
collision between two objects. The final moment of inertia (If ) after a collision is usually obtained with the parallel
axis theorem and/or the superposition principle.

Experimental Procedure
The experimental set-up includes a rotating disk attached to the rotational table, a cylindrical tube (hoop) which
fits into the groove of the rotating disk attachment and a photogate sensor. Using this photogate as a ”Photogate
with Pulley” sensor allows you to monitor the angular velocity of the disk as a function of time (in rad/sec). The
goal is to test the conservation of angular momentum during a collision between the cylindrical tube and the rotating
disk.
1. Initial and final moments of inertia of the system
Measure the radii of the disk and the cylindrical hoop.
Rdisk = ± Rhoop = ±

The moment of inertia for a disk is 12 M R2 and for a hoop is M R2 . The mass of the disk is (1.900 ± 0.001) kg
and the mass of the hoop is (1.420 ± 0.001) kg.

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 Calculate the moment of inertia of the system before the collision (i.e. disk) and after the collision (i.e. disk
and hoop system). Also estimate the uncertainty for the two moments of inertia by propagating the uncertainty
for the mass and radius (see Appendix on errors and uncertainties). Clearly show your work.
Ii = ± If = ±

2. Conservation of angular momentum and rotational kinetic energy

By hand, set the disk on circular motion, such that its angular velocity (the initial angular velocity ωi of
the system) is 10-12 rad/sec. Use the photogate as a ”Photogate with Pulley” sensor to monitor the angular
velocity in rad/sec as a function of time. While the disk rotates, gently and carefully place the hoop on the
disk (see Fig. 1). Please do not release the hoop from a height larger that 1 cm above the disk. The computer
will continuously read out ωi and you should see a sharp drop in the angular velocity immediately after the
collision, indicating ωf .

Figure 1: The collision.

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• Sketch the graph of angular velocity vs. time , indicating the regions before and after the collision.

• Calculate the angular momentum before and after the collision. Show your work.
Li = Lf =

• Calculate the uncertainty in angular momentum before and after the collision. Consider the uncertainty
in angular velocity to be ± 0.01 rad/sec. Show your work.
∆Li = ± ∆Lf = ±

Considering the calculated uncertainties, can you conclude that the angular momentum of the system is
conserved during the colission? Comment on your results.

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 • Calculate the ratio of the rotational kinetic energy immediately after the collision to that immediately
before the collision.
KEf inal /KEinitial =

Is this collision elastic or inelastic? Discuss how energy might have been dissipated from the system.

Part 2: Rolling Motion

Consider a round object of mass m and radius R rolling down an incline of angle θ with the horizontal, as
shown in Figure 2. From the free body diagram, Newton’s second law for force components along the incline
is:
maCM = −fs + mgsinθ, (5)
where fs is the static frictional force. The torque acting on the object about its center of mass is

τ = Rfs (6)

The net torque can also be expressed as

τ = ICM α. (7)
Using Equation 5 to 7, it can be shown that the translational acceleration, that is, center of mass (CM)
acceleration of the rolling object can be expressed as
gsinθ
aCM = (8)
1 + (ICM /mR2 )

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 Experimental Procedure
In this part of the lab you will examine the motion of a hollow cylindrical hoop and a solid disk rolling down
an incline track (the long wooden track on the floor) without “slipping” using concepts of torque and energy.
The motion of the object will be monitored using the motion sensor placed at the top of the incline.

fs
P

mg
θ

Figure 2: A round object rolling down an incline.

3. Rolling motion of a hoop

Using conservation of energy, prove that a√hoop released from a vertical height h above the bottom of the
incline reaches the bottom with a speed of gh. Hint : It has both translational and rotational kinetic energy
as it rolls down the ramp.

Incline the wooden track with one block placed vertically underneath the end of the track, opposite side from
the hinge and determine the ramp’s incline angle θ.
θ=

The hoop’s mass is 300 g. Measure the radius of the hoop R and calculate the hoop’s moment of inertia I and
acceleration aCM as it rolls down the incline.
R= I= aCM =

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 If the hoop is released from a vertical height of 10.0 cm above the bottom of the incline, calculate its speed
when it reaches the bottom and the time it takes to reach the bottom of the ramp.
vf inal = time =

Experiment
Place the hoop on the wooden track, at a height of 10 cm above the bottom of the incline, with the motion
sensor directly behind it. Release it from rest and monitor its velocity as it rolls down the incline.
Determine the experimental values for aCM , the speed at the bottom of the ramp, and the time it takes the
hoop to reach the bottom of the ramp. Compare these with your theoretical calculations.
aCM = vf inal = time =

4. Rolling motion - hoop vs. solid disk

Consider a solid aluminum disk that has the same mass and radius as the hoop. If both objects were released
from rest from the top of the ramp, will they reach the bottom of the incline at the same time? You can use
Equation 8 to support your answer.

Test your above prediction experimentally and discuss your results.