Q24CQ - College Physics (Urone)

Question

Draw a free body diagram to show how a diver gains angular momentum when leaving the diving board.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The free body diagram can be drawn by mentioning all the forces that acts on the driving board.

Step 1: Definition of the angular momentum

The mass, rotation, and speed of an object, as well as the radius of the object, determine its angular momentum.

Step 2: Describe which are the forces applied on the diving board

Consider a diving board of length L and a person standing at the edge for diving. The force by this person will be acting downwards and have a magnitude of weight of person, W. At the other end of the board, there is a bolt which exerts a force F₁ directed downwards. At the middle of these forces, there is a force F₂ which acts upward and gives support to the diving board. 

Step 3: Draw the free body diagram

The free body diagram of diver leaving the diving board can be drawn as follows:

Therefore, the diver attains angular momentum by the applied torque.