Why does an ice skater spin faster when they hold in their arms?
-
This phenomena is a result of the conservation of angular momentum: An isolated system's rotational intertia does not change.
-
Angular momentum is given mathematically by L = r x p, by decreasing r, p = mv must correspondingly increase for L to remain constant.
GL
Related Physics A Level answers
All answers ▸Please explain how polarisation of waves occurs?
Why does gravitational potential energy have a negative value?
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) of circumference 27km uses magnetic fields to accelerate a proton repeatedly in a circular path. Calculate the flux density of a uniform magnetic field required for the proton to travel at a tenth of the speed of light.
A ball is released from stationary at a great height. Explain how the forces acting on it change before it hits the ground and how these forces affect the velocity of the ball.