Also, why do you spin faster when you bring your arms in?
In: Physics
Angular momentum is defined as *L* = *r* x *p*
Where *r* is the distance from the centre and *p* being the linear momentum. Note that this is a simple multiplication but rather a cross product which is a fancier multiplication that takes into account the 3D aspect of the system. It’s a bit more complicated than that but to keep this ELI5, let’s leave it as fancy multiply.
As to why things spin faster when the weight is closer to the centre of rotation. Well think of it this way, the weight travels less distance. So in a sense, it’s “easier” and the system can spin faster as the weight is more centralised.
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