UIUC Physics Lecture Demo: Tennis Ball on a String with Tube

UIUC Physics
Lecture Demonstration
Database

Demo # 88

Tennis Ball on a String with Tube

ID # 88

Description:

Begin by spinning the tennis ball on the string in a circle pattern. The radius of the ball's circular path is decreased by slowly pulling on the string from the bottom of the tube. As a result, the ball's angular speed increases in order to conserve angular momentum.

Picture of Tennis Ball on a String with Tube

Physics Concept:

Mechanics
Rotational Dynamics
Conservation of Angular Momentum

The demonstration takes about 1 minute to perform.