Serway & Jewett — Angular Momentum: Problem 41

Native people throughout North and South America used a bola to hunt for birds and animals. A bola can consist of three stones, each with mass \(m\), at the ends of three light cords, each with length \(\ell\). The other ends of the cords are tied together to form a Y. The hunter holds one stone and swings the other two above his head (Figure P11.41a, page 308). Both these stones move together in a horizontal circle of radius \(2\ell\), with speed \(v_0\). At a moment when the horizontal component of their velocity is directed toward the quarry, the hunter releases the stone in his hand. As the bola flies through the air, the cords quickly take a stable arrangement with constant 120-degree angles between them (Fig. P11.41b). In the vertical direction, the bola is in free fall. Gravitational forces exerted by the Earth make the junction of the cords move with the downward acceleration \(\vec{g}\). You may ignore the vertical motion as you proceed to describe the horizontal motion of the bola. In terms of \(m\), \(\ell\), and \(v_0\), calculate (a) the magnitude of the momentum of the bola at the moment of release and, after release, (b) the horizontal speed of the center of mass of the bola, and (c) the angular momentum of the bola about its center of mass. (d) Find the angular speed of the bola about its center of mass after it has settled into its Y shape. Calculate the kinetic energy of the bola (e) at the instant of release and (f) in its stable Y shape. (g) Explain how the conservation laws apply to the bola as its configuration changes.