Question

Calculate the angular momentum about the Earth's center of an 84.3-kg person at the equator of the rotating Earth.

(A) Zero
(B) Nonzero and depends on the person's speed
(C) Nonzero and depends on the person's mass
(D) Nonzero and constant

Answer 1

The angular momentum of a person at the equator of the rotating Earth is nonzero and depends on their speed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The angular momentum of the person at the equator of the rotating Earth will be nonzero and depends on the person's speed. According to the conservation of angular momentum, the angular momentum of an object is given by the product of its moment of inertia (which depends on the mass and distribution of mass) and its angular velocity. As the person moves faster, their angular velocity increases, resulting in a greater angular momentum. Therefore, the correct answer is option (B) Nonzero and depends on the person's speed.