Lab 9 - Angular Momentum

Gryffin Jones
Mr Pappas
E3 Civic High School
11/6/2017

Abstract
We did this lab in order to test the theory of angular acceleration, by using the equation
=a*sin/r. Even though we didnt actually calculate the acceleration, it was visible that the
change in acceleration roughly represented the equation in question. It was found that if one spun
in a chair while holding 2 books, one in each hand, close to their torso, and then moving the
books outward, their acceleration would slow down, and the same works in the opposite
direction. This shows the effect of r in our equation, or radius, because when you increase the
radius, you decrease the acceleration in a directly proportionally amount.

Introduction
We did this lab in order to visualize the relationship between an object angularly accelerating,
and its radius, using the equation =a*sin/r. This was done by spinning someone in a chair,
while they hold a book in each hand, and seeing the difference in how fast they spin after they
move the textbooks closer to or farther from their center.

Data and Observations

Jackson did slow down when he extended his arms, and as shown by this gif, he sped up as he
brought the books back towards him.

Analysis and Results

We found that our results properly represented the equation, as shown by a gif of Jackson
accelerating when he moved the books closer to him. This shows the effect of the radius in the
given equation. The radius was changed by shortening the distance from the books to the center
of the chair and subjects spinning. As the radius was increased, the acceleration decreased in
proportion to the radius, showing that it is inversely related to the momentum, and in the same
way, the acceleration increased when the radius decreased.

Conclusion
The data found supported the theory, and there is not much this lab can improve upon. If it were
to be done in the future, it could be recommended to use a chair bolted in place, to ensure that
movement in any direction not being tested would not affect the result. These results could
potentially be used in order to find the needed lengths of radiuses for parts of various machinery.