This set of questions uses an interesting formula. A torque applied for a certain time causes a change in angular momentum.

Torque * (delta t) = delta L

Lindsey is on the merry-go-round again. Her mass is 33kg . The merry-go-round has a mass of 78kg and a radius of 2.20m. Lindsey is standing 0.150m from the center and has an initial angular velocity of 3.45 rad/sec. Her older brother Mike applies a force of 200 N tangent to the outer edge for causing the merry-go-round to spin faster. What was the initial angular momentum before Mike pushed?

I'm lost in the information...what steps do I need to take, and how does that formula factor in?

torque = dL/dt = rate of change of angular momentum

What else is new?

I is moment of inertia of merry-go-round with Lindsey on it.

omega = 3.45

L = I omega = 3.45 I
that is the initial angular momentum

Torque = I d omega/dt
or
200 * 2.20 = I d omega/dt
if you know I you can get d/dt (omega)

Thank you so much!!

To find the initial angular momentum before Mike pushed, we can use the formula:

angular momentum (L) = moment of inertia (I) * angular velocity (ω)

The moment of inertia depends on the distribution of mass around the axis of rotation. For a solid disk like the merry-go-round, the moment of inertia is given by:

moment of inertia (I) = (1/2) * mass * radius^2

Let's calculate the moment of inertia for the merry-go-round:

I = (1/2) * 78 kg * (2.20 m)^2
I = 178.86 kg·m^2

Now, we have the moment of inertia (I) and the initial angular velocity (ω) given as 3.45 rad/sec. We can calculate the initial angular momentum (L):

L = I * ω
L = 178.86 kg·m^2 * 3.45 rad/sec
L ≈ 617.88 kg·m^2/s

Therefore, the initial angular momentum before Mike pushed is approximately 617.88 kg·m^2/s.