Ring around the Rosie
The motion of figure skaters demonstrates the concept of angular momentumCopyright Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kim_2009_GPF_SP_biellmann_spin.jpg
Students learn the concept of angular momentum and its correlation to mass, velocity and radius. They experiment with rotation and an object's mass distribution. In an associated literacy activity, students use basic methods of comparative mythology to consider why spinning and weaving are common motifs in creation myths and folktales.
Engineers take advantage of their understanding of rotational inertia and angular momentum to maximize the spin experienced on amusement park rides (Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, etc.) for people's thrill and enjoyment. In our everyday lives, engineers also design objects intended to spin as part of their mechanical workings, such as car and bicycle axles, compact disk players, fishing pole casting gear, textile and other industry machinery, washing and drying machines, blenders, mixers and centrifuges, to name a few.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Relate engineers' use of the concept of angular momentum to designing objects intended to spin as part of their mechanical workings, such as car and bicycle axles, compact disk players, fishing pole casting gear, textile and other industry machinery.
- Describe how mass and radius relate to angular momentum.
- Explain the law of conservation of angular momentum.
- Know where the axes are located on their bodies and what type of rotation is correlated to the different axes.