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hydroxide0
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Homework Statement
The problem is Problem 2 on page 3 here: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/angular-momentum-1/conservation-of-angular-momentum/MIT8_01SC_problems25_soln.pdf
Homework Equations
3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
My question concerns the solution in the above link. According to the solution, the angular momentum of the wheel about the central axis is
[tex]{\bf L}_{S,w}^{\text{total}}={\bf L}_{S,w}^{\text{rot}}+{\bf L}_{cm,w}^{\text{spin}}=((I_w+m_wd^2)\omega+I_w\omega_s){\bf \hat{k}}.[/tex]
(See page 4.) However, isn't the angular momentum of a system of particles about a point equal to the angular momentum of the center of mass plus the angular momentum of the particles with respect to the center of mass? (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_momentum#Angular_momentum_simplified_using_the_center_of_mass, for example.) This would mean the angular momentum of the wheel about the central axis is actually
[tex]{\bf L}_{S,w}^{\text{total}}=(m_wd^2\omega+I_w\omega_s){\bf \hat{k}}.[/tex]
Thanks to anyone who can help clear this up!