The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Origin -ARnews-

Re: Snowmobile speed response to archive thread

Brian P. Griffin ([email protected])
Sat, 31 Oct 1998 15:58:29 -0500 (EST)

Gene Baxter wrote:
>track speed will increase. Therefore, the rotational (angular) inertia
>of the track system will also increase
*********************************************

The rotational inertia (I) does not change unless you mechanically alter the
vehicle. You are describing a change in the track's angular velocity (omega).
Angular momentum is the product of these two quantities: (I) x (omega).
When the angular velocity changes, so does the angular momentum.

Rotational inertia does not depend on angular velocity.
To change the rotational inertia you must:
(1)-change the shape of the rotating object OR
(2)-change the axis of rotation OR
(3)-change the amount or distribution of the rotating mass

So in this case, inertial changes are probably limited to some sagging of
the track due to gravity once it is no longer in contact with the ramp.
For all intents and purposes, then:

"the track's rotational inertia stays about the same."
Brian P. Griffin
[email protected]

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