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AP Physics 1 6.3: Angular Impulse

Relate the angular impulse delivered to a rigid system to its change in angular momentum during a rotational interaction.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

6.3.C—Relate an object’s or rigid system’s change in angular momentum to the angular impulse given to that object or… question 1

[Maximum number: 6]

(7 points, suggested time 13 minutes)

A block of unknown mass is attached to a long, lightweight string that is wrapped several turns around a pulley mounted on a horizontal axis through its center, as shown. The pulley is a uniform solid disk of mass M and radius R. The rotational inertia of the pulley is described by the equation I=12MR2I=\frac{1}{2} M R^{2}. The pulley can rotate about its center with negligible friction. The string does not slip on the pulley as the block falls.

When the block is released from rest and as the block travels toward the ground, the magnitude of the tension exerted on the block by the string is FTF_{\mathrm{T}}.

Consider scenarios 1 and 2 at the end of time interval Δt\Delta t. In a clear, coherent paragraph-length response that may also contain equations and drawings, explain why the change in angular momentum of both pulleys is the same but the change in rotational kinetic energy is greater for the disk.

Figure 1

Figure 1

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