Chapter 11, Problem 58P

In Fig. 11.18, the lower disk, of mass 440 g and radius 3.5 cm, is rotating at 180 rpm on a frictionless shaft of negligible radius. The upper disk, of mass 270 g and radius 2.3 cm, is initially not rotating. It drops freely down onto the lower disk, and frictional forces bring the two disks to a common rotational speed. Find (a) that common speed and (b) the fraction of the initial kinetic energy lost to friction.

FIGURE 11.18 Problem 57