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As an ice skater begins a spin, his angular speed is 3.24 rad/s. After pulling in his arms, his angular speed increases to 5.14 rad/s. What law of physics is demonstrated in this scenario?

Options:

Option 1: Law of inertia
Option 2: Law of conservation of angular momentum
Option 3: Law of gravity
Option 4: Law of motion

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

OPTION A.The ice skater pulling in their arms and spinning faster is an example of the Law of conservation of angular momentum since the skater's angular velocity increases to keep the angular momentum constant when the moment of inertia decreases.

Step-by-step explanation:

The law of physics demonstrated by an ice skater increasing their angular speed after pulling in their arms is the Law of conservation of angular momentum. According to this principle, when the skater brings her arms closer to her body, reducing the distance from the spin center, her moment of inertia decreases. However, since there is little external torque due to friction being small, her angular momentum remains constant. This means that her angular velocity must increase for the angular momentum to stay the same. This conservation of angular momentum is what allows the skater to spin faster when her arms are closer to her body.

The law of conservation of angular momentum is demonstrated in this scenario. When the ice skater pulls in his arms, his moment of inertia decreases, causing his angular speed to increase. This is because angular momentum is conserved, meaning that the product of moment of inertia and angular speed remains constant.

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