A uniform solid disk of mass and radius is mounted on a frictionless axle through its…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems · Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
Problem
A uniform solid disk of mass 2.0kg and radius 0.30m is mounted on a frictionless axle through its center so it can rotate freely in a horizontal plane. A 0.50kg lump of clay moves horizontally at 4.0m/s and sticks to the rim of the disk. Assume the clay approaches tangentially to the rim and the axle exerts no appreciable torque during the brief impact.
(a) Calculate the magnitude of the clay’s angular momentum about the axle immediately before impact.
(b) Determine the total moment of inertia of the disk–clay system immediately after impact.
(c) Determine the angular speed of the system immediately after the clay sticks.
(d) Compute the percentage of the system’s initial mechanical energy that is lost as internal energy during the collision.