Angular/ Rotational Momentum

Angular/Rotational Momentum is the rotational inertia multiplied by the rotational velocity. Rotational inertia is an object's resistance to spinning around an axis. Rotational velocity is the number of rotations per unit of time. If the guy who flew off of the merry-go-round, had been closer to the axis of rotation (the center of the merry-go-round), it would have been harder for him to fly off of it, due to the tangential speed. Tangential speed increases the further away one is from the axis of rotation, therefore, if the guy had been closer to the center, he would not have spun as quickly, possible saving himself from flying off. The Distribution of mass is important because it affects the rotational inertia. The closer to the axis of rotation the mass is, the quicker the object will spin. The further away the mass is from the axis of rotation, the slower the object will spin. The Distribution of mass changing will cause the rotational inertia to change, which causes the rotational velocity to change.