# Angular momentum conservation during collision

If I have a disk which is pure rolling and it strikes with a ladder, so can I conserve angular momentum about point O? I think I can because normal reaction passes through O, so torque due to it will be zero. But using it, I am getting wrong answer.

I have written following equations:

$$L_i = L_f$$

$$mv(H-r) + \frac{MR^2}{2}\frac{v}{R} = (\frac{MR^2}{2}+MR^2) \frac{v'}{R}$$

• Consider the limiting case of a high step, where the contact is at h=R and the wheel bounces back. Do you have the right physics in that limit? – Bob Jacobsen May 15 '19 at 13:34
• I think, the disk will lift off the ground a little, as on disk, a force in upward direction will be applied due to step, so as to maintain its pure rolling. – Yash Mittal May 15 '19 at 16:56

Your assumption that angular momentum is conserved about $$O$$ is correct, since the only impulse that could give rise to an impulsive moment is the contact impulsive force at $$O$$. (To be slightly pedantic, it's inaccurate to call this a normal impulsive force, since a tangential component will also be present due to the no-slip condition)
I can spot a error in your angular moment balance which appears to be the culprit. Hint: $$R > H$$. Other than that, the physics is all good. :)
• That's right, the velocity of the centre of mass must be perpendicular to the line of contact, due to the no-slip condition, the disc must pivot about the point of contact after the collision. Being able to enforce the no-slip condition, however, relies on the assumption that contact is maintained between the disc and the step after the collision! (If $H$ is large enough, it is possible the disc might bounce back!) – Involutius May 15 '19 at 11:37
• Ok, then in what way is your answer and their answer different? Are there extra details to the problem that you haven't considered? e.g. the disc is just a wire, a so the moment of inertia is $J = MR^2$ instead of $J = \frac{1}{2}MR^2$. Is pure rolling/no slip a valid assumption? etc. – Involutius May 15 '19 at 12:21