1Q40.50 • Conservation of Angular Momentum: Conservation of Angular Momentum
Location: Cabinet 1
Photos shows the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin.
Concept conveyed:
- Rotational inertia of a mass ring and a disk around their respective centers of mass
- Change in center of mass when more mass is added
- Change in angular momentum when mass is added
Instructions:
- Place the disk onto the rod in the middle of the base, with the side of the disk with the indentation facing up.
- Make sure the rod is aligned and goes all the way through the disk, including the semicircle piece on top. The rod must be flush with the top of the disk.
- Spin the disk, and drop the ring into the indentation from a short distance directly above the disk (1-2 inches) to see the change in angular momentum.
Notes:
- Use a stable table, and make sure the base is level. Clamp down for best results.
- Be gentle when spinning!
Demo Staff:
- MAKE SURE the track is NOT on the base when setting this demo up. If the track is on the base, the disk will not fit right, and it will fall off and damage the track and/or disk.
- When putting the demo away, make sure to use the bags in the box for each part to prevent scratches.
- Bags are labeled with what experiment uses each part, as well as what belongs inside
- This is a part of the Complete Rotational System from PASCO.
Last updated on July 31, 2026