On 8/7/2007 3:39 PM, Harry Veeder wrote: > The law of conservation of angular momentum is often explained > using the example of a skater spinning on ice. The skater in a spin with > arms out spins faster as she draws her arms inwards because of conservation > of angular momentum. But how accurate is this explanation?. I would say she > also adds to her angular momentum because she must perform work to pull her > arms inward. > > Assuming friction with the ice is negligible, and assuming she has unlimited > strength she could in theory cause her self to spin as fast she wants by > repeatedly allowing her arms to move outwards and then drawing them inwards. > > Or is there a flaw in my analysis? > > Harry > > > >
Oh I see my flaw. It depends along what path she pulls her arms inwards. Harry
