Do the following experiments. (Each person in your group should
do at least one of these. If no other groups are waiting for the
rotating platform, everyone should try each.)
Stand on the ground. Spin of the bicycle wheel and hold it
horizontally. Then get on the platform. Turn the bicycle wheel
upside down.
Stand on the platform and hold the wheel. (The wheel shouldn't
be spinning yet.) Then, hold the wheel horizontally and give it a
spin.
Hold the two heavy weights and stand on the platform. Have
someone give you a gentle spin. Move the weights in and out.
Stand on the platform and hold something heavy and
unbreakable.
Throw the heavy thing in such a manner that you end up
rotating after the throw.
Throw the heavy thing equally hard, but now throw it so that
you don't rotate after the throw.
Explain all of these phenomena using conservation of angular
momentum. Before moving on to the next exercise, share your
explanations with me.
More Angular Momentum
Consider a soda can hung by a thread. If a hole is put in the
bottom of the can, the liquid will rush out of the can. Depending on
the nature of the hole, three things may happen:
The can will spin clockwise as the fluid leaves it.
The can will spin counterclockwise as the fluid leaves it.
The can won't spin at all.
Experiment with different types of holes until you get a can that
will spin and a can that won't spin.
Use angular momentum to explain the behavior of your cans.
Before going on to the next activity, share your explanations with me.
Motion Diagrams
A bicycle moves at a constant velocity of 2m/s.
Make a motion diagram for the bike.
Make a careful of the bicycle's position, velocity, and
acceleration vs. time.
Ticker timer:
Make a motion diagram for something falling using the ticker
timer.
Draw the velocity and acceleration arrows. Do this for around 5
dots.
Then make a plot of the position, velocity, and
acceleration vs. time. (Use a different set of axes for each plot.)
