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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. |
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| | + | 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]] |