According to Physics, It’s Not a Smart Idea to Put a Jet Engine on a Merry Go Round

Forces on a Spinning YouTuber. Image based on WhistlenDiesel video.

While I appreciate the content as a physics problem, this video worries me. These guys (WhistlinDiesel on YouTube) decided to put an actual jet engine on the side of a merry go round to see what happens. I mean, we all know what’s going to happen. Right? Maybe I’m wrong, but you can check it out and decide for yourself.

You didn’t come here for the very expensive YouTube video — you are here for the physics. So, let’s get to it.

How Long Could a Human Hold Onto the Rocket Go Round?

Note: It’s not a rocket, it’s a jet engine. But the name is sort of catchy. OK, so there’s a jet engine on a large spinning disk. When the engine is on, the force exerts a torque that causes a change in angular velocity and things spin faster and faster.

For an initial test, Cody (from WhistlenDiesel) decides to home on the rocket-go-round and fire up the engine. Of course he doesn’t turn it up to full throttle (that would be a very bad idea). But still…