Angular Momentum Formula:
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Angular momentum is a measure of the quantity of rotation of a body, which is the product of its moment of inertia and its angular velocity. It is a conserved quantity in a closed system, meaning it remains constant unless acted upon by an external torque.
The calculator uses the angular momentum formula:
Where:
Explanation: The angular momentum of an object is directly proportional to both its moment of inertia and its angular velocity. This relationship is fundamental in rotational dynamics.
Details: Angular momentum calculation is crucial in various fields including physics, engineering, astronomy, and mechanical design. It helps in understanding rotational motion, conservation principles, and designing rotating systems.
Tips: Enter moment of inertia in kg·m² and angular velocity in rad/s. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the angular momentum in kg·m²/s.
Q1: What is moment of inertia?
A: Moment of inertia is a measure of an object's resistance to changes in its rotation rate. It depends on the mass distribution relative to the axis of rotation.
Q2: What is angular velocity?
A: Angular velocity is the rate of change of angular displacement with respect to time, measured in radians per second (rad/s).
Q3: How is angular momentum conserved?
A: In a closed system with no external torques, the total angular momentum remains constant. This is known as the law of conservation of angular momentum.
Q4: What are some real-world applications of angular momentum?
A: Applications include gyroscopes, figure skating spins, planetary orbits, helicopter rotor systems, and quantum mechanics.
Q5: How does angular momentum relate to linear momentum?
A: Angular momentum is the rotational analog of linear momentum. While linear momentum depends on mass and linear velocity, angular momentum depends on moment of inertia and angular velocity.