A skater is spinning with her arms high and near the axis of rotation. If she stretched her arms to horizontal position, which of the following outcomes would happen to her angular momentum and her speed?
A)Angular momentum would increase and speed would decrease.
B)Angular momentum would stay the same and speed would decrease.
C)Angular momentum would stay the same and speed would increase.
D)Angular momentum would decrease and speed would decrease.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Angular momentum is conserved in the absence of external torques. When the skater stretches her arms out, her moment of inertia increases, leading to a decrease in her rotational speed to conserve angular momentum.

A Skater Is Spinning with Her Arms High and near the Axis