What happens to an object's rotation as it contracts?

As an object contracts, such as a spinning planet or star, it conserves angular momentum. Angular momentum is the product of an object's rotational speed and the distribution of its mass relative to the axis of rotation. When the radius decreases due to contraction but the mass remains constant, the rotational speed must increase to conserve this angular momentum. This principle is analogous to a figure skater pulling in their arms: as they bring their arms closer to their body (contracting), they spin faster. Thus, as the object shrinks in radius, it rotates faster, confirming why the answer is the option indicating an increase in rotational speed as the object contracts.