Difference between revisions of "Conservation of Angular Momentum"
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| + | The '''angular momentum''' of a point mass about a point is defined as <math>\vec H = \vec r \times \vec p</math> where '''r''' is the position [[vector quantity|vector]] of the point mass with respect to the point of reference and '''p''' is the [[momentum|linear momentum]] vector of the point mass. | ||
| + | The principle of angular momentum can be applied to a system of particles by summing the angular momentum of each particle about the same point. | ||
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| + | The [[derivative]] of angular momentum with respect to time is equal to the sum of the external moments applied to the system. This relation is shown by the equation <math>\vec {\dot H} = \vec r \times \vec F</math> From this, it can be concluded that in the absence of an external moment, angular momentum must be conserved. | ||
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| + | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
Revision as of 03:01, November 22, 2008
The angular momentum of a point mass about a point is defined as <math>\vec H = \vec r \times \vec p</math> where r is the position vector of the point mass with respect to the point of reference and p is the linear momentum vector of the point mass.
The principle of angular momentum can be applied to a system of particles by summing the angular momentum of each particle about the same point.
The derivative of angular momentum with respect to time is equal to the sum of the external moments applied to the system. This relation is shown by the equation <math>\vec {\dot H} = \vec r \times \vec F</math> From this, it can be concluded that in the absence of an external moment, angular momentum must be conserved.