Angular Momentum
Angular Momentum
\[L = mvr\]
Variables
L = angular momentum (kg·m²/s)
m = mass (kg)
v = tangential velocity (m/s)
r = distance from rotation axis (m)
Description
What is this formula?
The angular momentum equation calculates the rotational momentum of a moving object relative to an axis. It is a fundamental quantity in rotational dynamics and conservation laws.
When to use it
Use this formula when analyzing rotating systems, orbital motion, spinning objects, gyroscopes, or conservation of angular momentum problems.
Example
A 3 kg object moves tangentially at 5 m/s at a radius of 2 m from the rotation axis.
Data:
m = 3 kg
v = 5 m/s
r = 2 m
Formula:
L = m*v*r
Substitution:
L = 3*5*2
Result:
L = 30 kg·m²/s
Applications
Rotational mechanics, aerospace engineering, orbital mechanics, flywheels, turbines, and physics education.
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