Question

A merry-go-round is shaped like a uniform disk and has moment of inertia of 50,000 kg m 2 . It is rotating so that it has an angular momentum of 10,000 (kg m 2 radians/s) and its outer edge has a speed of 2 m/s. What is its radius, in m

Answer 1

r = 20 m

Step-by-step explanation:

The formula for the angular momentum of a rotating body is given as:

L = mvr

where,

L = Angular Momentum = 10000 kgm²/s

m = mass

v = speed = 2 m/s

r = radius of merry-go-round

Therefore,

10000 kg.m²/s = mr(2 m/s)

m r = (10000 kg.m²/s)/(2 m/s)

m r = 5000 kg.m ------------- equation 1

Now, the moment of inertia of a solid uniform disc about its axis through its center is given as:

I = (1/2) m r²

where,

I = moment of inertia = 50000 kg.m²

Therefore,

50000 kg.m² = (1/2)(m r)(r)

using equation 1, we get:

50000 kg.m² = (1/2)(5000 kg.m)(r)

(50000 kg.m²)/(2500 kg.m) = r

r = 20 m