Conservation of Angular Momentum of a bird

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bird colliding with a vertical rod, leading to a discussion on the conservation of angular momentum. The bird has a mass of 0.470 kg and is flying horizontally at a speed of 2.50 m/s when it strikes the rod, which is 0.740 m long and has a mass of 1.60 kg. The impact occurs 0.25 m from the top of the rod, and the goal is to find the angular velocity of the combined bird and rod system immediately after the collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of angular momentum before and after the collision, questioning the correct values for distances and the use of moment of inertia. There is exploration of whether conservation of mechanical energy is relevant to the problem. Some participants express uncertainty about the necessity of including the mass of the rod in certain calculations.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights and corrections regarding the calculations and assumptions made in the original approach. There is an ongoing examination of the correct application of angular momentum principles, with some participants suggesting revisions to the equations used. The discussion is productive, with participants clarifying their understanding of the moment of inertia and its application in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through potential confusion regarding the definitions of variables such as 'd' and 'r', as well as the implications of the bird and rod system's combined moment of inertia. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify these concepts without reaching a definitive solution.

RJLiberator
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Homework Statement


A bird m_b=0.470kg, is flying horizontally at v_b=2.50 m/s, not paying much attention, when it suddenly flies into a stationary vertical rod, hitting it d=25cm below the top. The rod is uniform, L=0.740m long, has a mass of m_r =1.60kg and is hinged at its base. This time the bird goes splat on the rod, and is stuck to it at the point of impact. What is the angular velocity w_f of the bird+rod just after the collision?

What we have:
Mass of bird: 0.470 kg
Mass of rod = 1.60 kg
Initial Velocity of bird: 2.50 m/s
Length of rod = 0.740m
Distance of impact from top of rod = 0.25m
I_rod = 1/3M*d^2

Homework Equations


Conservation of Angular Momentum L_0=L_1
L = mvrsin(theta)
L= Iw
v=w*r

The Attempt at a Solution


First I calculated the Angular momentum of the bird prior to collision
L=mrv
L=0.470kg*(0.740m-0.25m)*2.50m/s

Sin here is 90 degrees and thus is simply 1.
L=0.57575

*NOTE: Did I use the right measurement for r?

Next, I found the post-collision angular momentum to be:
L_f=(m_b+m_r)*v_1*r + I_rod*w_f
L_f=(m_b+m_r)*d^2*w_f+(1/3)*m_r*d^2*w_f

Simple algebraic manipulation gets us:
w_f=0.57575/((0.470+1.6)(0.490^2)+(1/3)(1.60)(0.490^2))

for an answer of 0.921 rads/sec

My questions/concerns:
1) Is this the right method to approach this problem? Do I have any need to use conservation of mechanical energy to help solve this problem? All I am looking for is w_f.
2) Did I use the correct value for d throughout this problem? Namely (0.740-0.25).
3) Is it okay to be using the moment of inertia about the end of the rod for this problem? (1/3*M*d^2)

Thank you.
 
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RJLiberator said:

Homework Statement


A bird m_b=0.470kg, is flying horizontally at v_b=2.50 m/s, not paying much attention, when it suddenly flies into a stationary vertical rod, hitting it d=25cm below the top. The rod is uniform, L=0.740m long, has a mass of m_r =1.60kg and is hinged at its base. This time the bird goes splat on the rod, and is stuck to it at the point of impact. What is the angular velocity w_f of the bird+rod just after the collision?

What we have:
Mass of bird: 0.470 kg
Mass of rod = 1.60 kg
Initial Velocity of bird: 2.50 m/s
Length of rod = 0.740m
Distance of impact from top of rod = 0.25m
I_rod = 1/3M*d^2

Homework Equations


Conservation of Angular Momentum L_0=L_1
L = mvrsin(theta)
L= Iw
v=w*r

The Attempt at a Solution


First I calculated the Angular momentum of the bird prior to collision
L=mrv
L=0.470kg*(0.740m-0.25m)*2.50m/s

Sin here is 90 degrees and thus is simply 1.
L=0.57575

*NOTE: Did I use the right measurement for r?

Yes, r=L-0.25.

RJLiberator said:
Next, I found the post-collision angular momentum to be:
L_f=(m_b+m_r)*v_1*r + I_rod*w_f
L_f=(m_b+m_r)*d^2*w_f+(1/3)*m_r*d^2*w_f

Simple algebraic manipulation gets us:
w_f=0.57575/((0.470+1.6)(0.490^2)+(1/3)(1.60)(0.490^2))

for an answer of 0.921 rads/sec
The term m_r must not be there. And what is d?
The moment of inertia of the rod+bird system is I (bird) + I(rod). The bird can be considered as a point mass, I_b=m_b r2, and you know the moment of inertia of the rod. The whole system rotates with angular speed w_f
RJLiberator said:

My questions/concerns:

1) Is this the right method to approach this problem? Do I have any need to use conservation of mechanical energy to help solve this problem? All I am looking for is w_f.
2) Did I use the correct value for d throughout this problem? Namely (0.740-0.25).
3) Is it okay to be using the moment of inertia about the end of the rod for this problem? (1/3*M*d^2)

Thank you.
1) Yes, the method is correct, but you have some errors.
2)The mechanical energy is not conserved as the bird and rod move together after the collision.
Well, what are d and r? You seem to mix them.
3) yes, you can use the moments of inertia about the end of the rod, but you need to use different lengths for bird and rod.
 
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Interesting.

The term m_r must not be there. And what is d?
Wouldn't m_r be needed here as it is now part of the total system? I'm not quire sure why it would only be m_b needed here?
I am using d=r is this wrong? I would think d = (0.740-0.25)?

The moment of inertia of the rod+bird system is I (bird) + I(rod). The bird can be considered as a point mass, I_b=m_b r2, and you know the moment of inertia of the rod. The whole system rotates with angular speed w_f
Hm, I see. So I would have to change my equation to:
L_1 = (m_b+m_r)*d^2*w_f+(I_rod+I_bird)w_f where I_rod = (1/3)(m_r)(d^2) and I_bird = m_b*d^2

1) Yes, the method is correct, but you have some errors.
2)The mechanical energy is not conserved as the bird and rod move together after the collision.
Well, what are d and r? You seem to mix them.
3) yes, you can use the moments of inertia about the end of the rod, but you need to use different lengths for bird and rod.
This makes sense. =)
 
RJLiberator said:
.Wouldn't m_r be needed here as it is now part of the total system? I'm not quire sure why it would only be m_b needed here?
I am using d=r is this wrong? I would think d = (0.740-0.25)?

The angular momentums add. That of the bird is m_b v_b(final) r_b where r_b = d.
That of the rod is I w, r = 0.74 m, I =1/3 M_r r^2

RJLiberator said:
Hm, I see. So I would have to change my equation to:
L_1 = (m_b+m_r)*d^2*w_f+(I_rod+I_bird)w_f where I_rod = (1/3)(m_r)(d^2) and I_bird = m_b*d^2

No, it is wrong.
 
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Okay. So that DOES make sense. The angular momentum of the bird and rod are adding. So the mass of rod is unneeded in the part regarding the bird, and the birds r = 0.49 while the rods d = 0.740.

So now the corrected equation is
L_1 = m_b*v*r+(I_rod)w_f
which simplifies to
L_1 = m_b*r^2*w_f+(1/3)m_r*d^2*w_f
where r=0.49 and d=0.740

Or, do I need it to be (I_rod+I_bird) ?
If so, why do we need both for this, but not both masses (bird+rod) previously?

Thank you again.
 
RJLiberator said:
Okay. So that DOES make sense. The angular momentum of the bird and rod are adding. So the mass of rod is unneeded in the part regarding the bird, and the birds r = 0.49 while the rods d = 0.740.

So now the corrected equation is
L_1 = m_b*v*r+(I_rod)w_f
which simplifies to
L_1 = m_b*r^2*w_f+(1/3)m_r*d^2*w_f
where r=0.49 and d=0.740

Or, do I need it to be (I_rod+I_bird) ?
If so, why do we need both for this, but not both masses (bird+rod) previously?

Thank you again.
It will work now.
You can factor out w_f, but not the masses: they are multiplied by different length-squares.
 
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So I do NOT need to use I_b+I_r ?

If this is the case, then I get:

w_f= Angular momentum initial/((m_b*r^2)+(I_r))

w_f=0.57575/((0.47+0.49^2)+((1/3)(1.6)(0.74^2)))
w_f=1.422 rads/sec
 
RJLiberator said:
So I do NOT need to use I_b+I_r ?

If this is the case, then I get:

w_f= Angular momentum initial/((m_b*r^2)+(I_r))

w_f=0.57575/((0.47+0.49^2)+((1/3)(1.6)(0.74^2)))
w_f=1.422 rads/sec
It is correct! :cool:
But you have used I=I_b+I_r!I think that + is just typo.
 
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Awesome. I appreciate your help, but have one last clarifying question:

Earlier you stated:
The moment of inertia of the rod+bird system is I (bird) + I(rod). The bird can be considered as a point mass, I_b=m_b r2, and you know the moment of inertia of the rod. The whole system rotates with angular speed w_f

But here in the end, I did not use this. I only used I_rod.

What happened here?
 
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RJLiberator said:
Awesome. I appreciate your help, but have one last clarifying question:

Earlier you stated:But here in the end, I did not use this. I only used I_rod.

What happened here?

w_f=0.57575/((0.47*0.49^2)+((1/3)(1.6)(0.74^2)))
I write it out into a readable form.

## \omega_f = \frac{0.57575}{0.47\cdot .49^2 + \frac{1}{3}\cdot 1.6 \cdot 0.74^2}##
The denominator is the sum of the moments of inertia: that of the bird and that of the rod.
 
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  • #11
Oi! That makes sense. I can see it clearly now.

I appreciate your time and help. You have indeed helped me on my path of learning!

Thank you.
 
  • #12
You are welcome. :oldsmile:
 
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