The Spinning Figure Skater. The outstretched hands and arms of a figure skater preparing for a spin can be considered a slender rod pivoting about an axis through its center (Fig. E10.43). When the skater's hands and arms are brought in and wrapped around his body to execute the spin, the hands and arms can be considered a thinwalled, hollow cylinder. His hands and arms have a combined mass of 8.0 kg. When outstretched, they span 1.8 m; when wrapped, they form a cylinder of radius 25 cm. The moment of inertia about the rotation axis of the remainder of his body is constant and equal to 0.40 kg m2 . If his original angular speed is 0.40 rev/s, what is his final angular speed?
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16. Angular Momentum
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Problem 77b
Textbook Question
A satellite follows the elliptical orbit shown in FIGURE P12.77. The only force on the satellite is the gravitational attraction of the planet. The satellite's speed at point 1 is 8000 m/s. What is the satellite's speed at point 2?


1
Step 1: Recognize that the problem involves conservation of mechanical energy. Since the only force acting on the satellite is gravity, the total mechanical energy (kinetic + potential) of the satellite remains constant throughout its orbit.
Step 2: Write the expression for the total mechanical energy at point 1 and point 2. The total energy is given by: \( E = K + U \), where \( K \) is the kinetic energy \( \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \) and \( U \) is the gravitational potential energy \( -\frac{GMm}{r} \). Here, \( m \) is the satellite's mass, \( v \) is its speed, \( G \) is the gravitational constant, \( M \) is the planet's mass, and \( r \) is the distance from the center of the planet.
Step 3: Set the total energy at point 1 equal to the total energy at point 2: \( \frac{1}{2}mv_1^2 - \frac{GMm}{r_1} = \frac{1}{2}mv_2^2 - \frac{GMm}{r_2} \). Here, \( v_1 \) and \( r_1 \) are the speed and distance at point 1, and \( v_2 \) and \( r_2 \) are the speed and distance at point 2.
Step 4: Simplify the equation by canceling \( m \) (since it appears in every term) and solving for \( v_2 \): \( v_2 = \sqrt{v_1^2 + 2GM \left( \frac{1}{r_1} - \frac{1}{r_2} \right)} \). This equation relates the satellite's speed at point 2 to its speed at point 1 and the distances \( r_1 \) and \( r_2 \).
Step 5: Substitute the given values into the equation. Use \( v_1 = 8000 \, \text{m/s} \), \( r_1 \) (distance at point 1), and \( r_2 \) (distance at point 2) as provided in the problem or figure. Also, use the known values for \( G \) and \( M \) (gravitational constant and planet's mass). Perform the calculations to find \( v_2 \).

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Gravitational Force
Gravitational force is the attractive force between two masses, described by Newton's law of universal gravitation. It dictates that the force is proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. In the context of a satellite, this force is what keeps it in orbit around a planet.
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Conservation of Energy
The principle of conservation of energy states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant. For a satellite in orbit, its mechanical energy, which is the sum of kinetic and potential energy, is conserved. As the satellite moves through different points in its elliptical orbit, its speed changes, but the total energy remains the same.
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Elliptical Orbits
Elliptical orbits are paths followed by objects in space under the influence of gravity, characterized by their oval shape. According to Kepler's laws of planetary motion, a satellite moves faster when it is closer to the planet (periapsis) and slower when it is farther away (apoapsis). This variation in speed is crucial for calculating the satellite's speed at different points in its orbit.
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