If in the absence of external forces, a rotating ball of hot gas cools and contracts, its rate of rotation
A)decreases
B)remains essentially the same
C)increases
And its angular momentum
D)decreases.
E)remains essentially the same.
F)increases.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the conservation of angular momentum, if a rotating body contracts without any external torque acting on it, its rate of rotation increases (to conserve angular momentum, as the moment of inertia decreases), and its angular momentum remains essentially the same.

If in the Absence of External Forces, a Rotating Ball