Braked fall due to conservation of angular momentum
Experiment no.: 1.6.6
New
since 05/25
A large, heavy ball is attached to one end of a cord. A small, light ball is attached to the other end as a counterweight. The cord is hung over a rod and held on the small ball so that an angle is formed.
When the counterweight is released, it and the large ball fall downwards. As the large ball falls, the cord on which the counterweight is hanging shortens. The falling counterweight experiences an increase in its angular velocity due to the shortening of the cord, which forces it onto a circular path. This leads to a rollover and winding of the cord, so that the falling large ball is slowed down and fixed.
As the cord winds around the rod, the radius of the circular path is further shortened, which leads to an increase in the angular velocity due to the conservation of angular momentum, so that the cord winds up faster and faster.
When the counterweight is released, it and the large ball fall downwards. As the large ball falls, the cord on which the counterweight is hanging shortens. The falling counterweight experiences an increase in its angular velocity due to the shortening of the cord, which forces it onto a circular path. This leads to a rollover and winding of the cord, so that the falling large ball is slowed down and fixed.
As the cord winds around the rod, the radius of the circular path is further shortened, which leads to an increase in the angular velocity due to the conservation of angular momentum, so that the cord winds up faster and faster.
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