The angular momentum of a single particle about a designated origin is the vector product of the position vector in the given coordinate system and the particle’s linear momentum. In linear dynamics, the product of mass and velocity gives linear momentum . In rotational dynamics, the angular momentum of a point object is defined as the product of the linear momentum and the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation. For a stationary spinning object, angular momentum is defined as the product of the moment of inertia and angular velocity. It is a vector quantity and has both magnitude and direction. Conservation of angular momentum , definition and mathematical expression, practice problems, FAQs You might have gone to the circus and saw the acrobats performing feats. If you’d observe carefully, while performing feats involving spin they bring their arms and legs closer to the body and suddenly they start spinning faster. Ever wondered why it happens? You would have known if you knew about angular momentum conservation. It also answers why earth keeps spinning. Table of contents ... Chapter 19 Angular Momentum The situation, in brief, is that newtonian physics is incapable of predicting conservation of angular momentum , but no isolated system has yet been encountered experimentally for which angular momentum is not conserved. We conclude that conservation of angular momentum is an independent physical law, and until a contradiction is observed, our physical understanding must be guided by it. 1 Dan Kleppner
