question_answer

How does an ice-skater, a ballet dancer or an acrobat take advantage of the principle of conservation of angular momentum?    Or How does a ballet dancer vary her angular speed by outstretching her arms and legs?

Answer:

                     An ice-skater, a ballet dancer or an acrobat is able to change his angular speed during the course of the performance. When the performer stretches out his hands and legs, his moment of inertia increases and the angular speed decreases. On the other hand, when he folds his hands and the legs near his body, the moment of inertia decreases and he is able to increase the angular speed.