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angelina
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when talking about conservation of angular momentum of a spinning ice skater, the contact surfaces are assumed to be frictionless. why?
angelina said:when talking about conservation of angular momentum of a spinning ice skater, the contact surfaces are assumed to be frictionless. why?
*total* angular momentum means the system of the skater alone or the system of the skater + ice floor?Tide said:A frictionless surface is assumed simply because it's a lot easier to analyze. However, the inclusion of friction does not alter the fact that total angular momentum is conserved.
then my question will become - is it true that as longer as there's external torque, no matter this torque is acting about the same axis as the rotation or about a different axis, angular momentum is not conserved??Doc Al said:If there is friction between the ice and skate, then the ice will apply a torque to the skater, reducing her angular momentum. Of course, if you include both the skater and the ice floor in your system, then angular momentum is conserved.
for the case of the spinning skater, if friction exists, which axis will its torque act about? the same vertical (y-axis) or the z-axis or both??Doc Al said:Right. If there is an net external torque, then total angular momentum is not conserved. But it is often the case that you can conserve angular momentum about a particular axis.
In the case of the spinning skater, her axis of rotation is vertical, and, assuming no friction, there is no torque about that vertical axis. So her angular momentum about that axis is conserved.
Friction is a force that resists the motion between two surfaces that are in contact with each other.
As the ice skater spins, their skate blades are in contact with the ice, creating friction. This friction acts in the opposite direction of the skater's motion, causing them to slow down.
The amount of friction on a spinning ice skater can be affected by factors such as the texture and temperature of the ice, the sharpness of the skate blades, and the weight and speed of the skater.
In some cases, friction can have a positive effect on a spinning ice skater. For example, if the ice is rough and the skate blades can grip onto it, the friction can help the skater maintain their speed and control.
A skater can reduce the effects of friction while spinning by minimizing their contact with the ice, keeping their skate blades sharp, and maintaining a consistent speed and rhythm.