TOPIC:

ID Code: D3-05
Purpose: Illustrates conservation of angular momentum
Description: Sit on the moving chair (chair not rotating) with the wheel spinning and its axis oriented vertically. Reverse the angular momentum vector of the wheel by inverting the wheel, thus causing the entire chair to rotate in the original direction of the wheel rotation. Returning the wheel to its initial orientation causes the chair to cease its rotation. Because the friction in the bearing of the rotating chair is very low, several cycles of this procedure can be completed before the system loses its energy and stops. Using our powered rotator to spin up the wheel, the effect can be made fairly dramatic.
Availability: Available