A disk has a mass 3.5 kg and radius 15 cm, rotating with angular speed 15 rev/s when a second disk of 5.0 kg is dropped onto it. If second disk has diameter 18 cm and mass 5.0 kg, what is the common final angular speed of the system?

1 Answer
Feb 26, 2017

9.9 rev per sec, rounded to one decimal place.

Explanation:

Law of Conservation of angular momentum states:
The total angular momentum of a system about an axis remains constant, when the net external torque acting on the system about the given axis is zero.

This is applicable in the given question as a stationary second disk is dropped on a rotating disk. It is assumed that second disk is also mounted on the same shaft.

![andrews.edu
Angular momentum L=I×ω
where angular velocity of disk rotating with angular speed f isω=2πf
Moment of inertia of disk I=12mdiskR2

Initial Angular momentum =L1+L2
=L1+0
=(12m1R21)(2πf)
=(3.5×(0.15)2)(π×15)
=1.18125π

If fc is the final common angular velocity of the system,
Final Angular momentum=(I1+I2)×ωc

Inserting given values and equating scalar part with (1) we get, (remember to change the given diameter of second disk to its radius)
(12m1R21+12m2R22)2πfc=1.18125π
(3.5×(0.15)2+5.0×(0.182)2)πfc=1.18125π
fc=1.181253.5×(0.15)2+5.0×(0.182)2
fc=9.9 rev per sec, rounded to one decimal place.