What is Momentum?
Momentum is a vector quantity which in simple terms is defined as the product of mass and velocity. The momentum of a closed system, unless an external force is applied to the system, remains the same. This is known as the principle of conservation of momentum. It is a very important principle in mechanics as this forms the base of many scientific processes including the takeoff of rockets. Momentum is generally considered to be of two types, which are linear momentum and angular momentum. In linear momentum, we use the linear velocity and calculate the dynamics of the system in that frame of reference while in the case of angular momentum, we use angular momentum to understand the dynamics of a particular system. Both the linear momentum as well as angular momentum can be possessed by a body at the same time.
Angular Momentum
The property that characterizes the rotatory inertia of an object in motion about the axis which may or may not pass through that specified object is known as angular momentum. One of the best examples of angular momentum is the Earth’s rotation and revolution. For example, the annual revolution that the Earth carries out about the Sun reflects orbital angular momentum while its everyday rotation about its axis shows spin angular momentum.
Angular momentum is broadly categorized into:-
The spin angular momentum. (e.g., rotation)
The orbital angular momentum. (e.g. revolution)
The total angular momentum of a body is the sum of spin and orbital angular momentum.
It can be said that angular momentum is a vector quantity, i.e. it requires both magnitude and direction. The angular momentum possessed by a body going through orbiting motion is also said to be equal to its linear momentum. The angular momentum is also given as the product of mass (m) and linear velocity (v) of the object multiplied by the distance (r) perpendicular to the direction of its motion, i.e., mvr. But, in the case of a spinning body, the angular momentum is the summation of mvr for all the particles which make the object.
Some vital things to consider about angular momentum are:
Symbol = As the angular momentum is a vector quantity, it is denoted by symbol L.
Units = It is measured in SI base units: Kg m²s⁻¹.
Dimensional formula = M L² T⁻¹
Formula to calculate angular momentum (L) = mvr, where m = mass, v = velocity, and r = radius.
Angular Momentum Formula
The angular momentum of an object having mass (m) and linear velocity (v) with respect to a fixed point can be given as:
L = mvr sin θ
Or
\[\overrightarrow{L}\] = r x \[\overrightarrow{p}\] (in terms of vector product)
Where,
\[\overrightarrow{L}\] = Angular Momentum
v = linear velocity of the object
m = mass of the object
\[\overrightarrow{p}\] = linear momentum
r = radius, i.e., distance amid the object and the fixed point around which it revolves.
Moreover, angular momentum can also be formulated as the product of the moment of inertia (I) and the angular velocity (ω) of a rotating body. In this case, the angular momentum is derivable from the below expression:
\[\overrightarrow{L}\] = I x ω
Where,
L→is the angular momentum.
I is the rotational inertia.
ω is the angular velocity.
The direction of the angular momentum vector, in this case, is the same as the axis of rotation of the given object and is designated by the right-hand thumb rule.
Right-Hand Thumb Rule
The right-hand thumb rule gives the direction of angular momentum and states that if someone positions his/her hand in a way that the fingers come in the direction of r, then the fingers on that hand curl towards the direction of rotation, and thumb points towards the direction of angular momentum (L), angular velocity, and torque.
Angular Momentum and Torque
For a continuous rigid object, the total angular momentum is equal to the volume integral of angular momentum density over the entire object. Here, torque is defined as the rate of change of angular momentum. Torque is related to angular momentum in a way similar to how force is related to linear momentum. Now, when we know what the angular momentum and torque are, let's see how these two are related. To see this, we need to find out how objects in rotational motion get moving or spinning in the first position.
Let's take the example of a wind turbine. We all know that it's the wind that makes the turbine spins. But how is it doing so? Well, the wind is pushing the turbine's blade by applying force to blades at some angles and radius from the axis of rotation of the turbine. In simple words, the wind is applying torque to the turbine. Hence, it is torque that gets rotatable objects spinning when they are standing still. Moreover, if the torque is applied to an object which is already spinning in the same direction in which it is spinning, it upsurges its angular velocity. Hence, we can say that torque is directly proportional to the angular velocity of a rotating body. Since torque can change the angular velocity, it can also change the amount of angular momentum as the angular momentum depends on the product of the moment of inertia and angular velocity. This is how torque is related to angular momentum.
Consider a string is tied to a point mass. Now, if we apply torque on the same point mass, it would start rotating around the centre. Here, the particle of mass m would move with a perpendicular velocity V┴ to the radius r of the circle.
Now, the magnitude of \[\overrightarrow{L}\] will be:
L = rmv sin ϕ
= r p⊥
= rmv⊥
= r⊥p
= r⊥mv
Where,
Φ is the angle formed between \[\overrightarrow{r}\] and \[\overrightarrow{p}\]
p⊥ and v⊥ are the segments of \[\overrightarrow{p}\] and \[\overrightarrow{v}\] perpendicular to \[\overrightarrow{r}\] .
r⊥ is the perpendicular distance between the extension of \[\overrightarrow{p}\] and the fixed point.
Note: The equation or formula L = r⊥mv representing the angular momentum of an object changes only when you apply a net torque. Hence, if no torque is applied, then the perpendicular velocity of the object will alter according to the radius (the distance between the centre of the circle, and the centre of the mass of the body). It means velocity will be high for a shorter radius and low for a longer one.
FAQs on Angular Momentum
1. What is the importance of angular momentum?
Angular momentum is an extremely important topic as it finds great relevance in the study of celestial objects. Almost all objects in the universe, including the Moon, the Earth, the Sun, the solar system, etc., are going through an orbiting motion in their respective trajectory. In reference to our solar system, the Sun is stationary while the Earth moves around it but in turn, the Sun also revolves around its axis in the Milky Way.
2. What is the right-hand thumb rule?
The right-hand thumb rule or Flemings Right-Hand thumb rule is a very widely used principle used in physics to find the cross-product of vector quantities. For example, the right-hand thumb rule gives the direction of angular momentum by stating that if someone was to position his hand in a way that the fingers come in the direction of the r vector, and if the fingers on that hand curl towards the direction of rotation, then the thumb points in the direction of angular momentum.
3. What is torque?
Torque is a physical quantity that is used in physics and mechanics. In terms of Mechanics, it is also considered as the equivalent of Linear force when dealing with rotational motion. In simple mathematical terms, it is also known as the rate of change of the angular momentum of a body. It is very widely used in Internal Combustion Engines and to specify the strength of engines.
4. What is the relation between spin and torque?
We can say that for a continuous rigid object, the total angular momentum is equal to the volume integral of angular momentum density over the entire object. The rate of change of the angular momentum is known as the torque. Torque can be said to be related to angular momentum in a way similar to how force is related to linear momentum. Torque is defined as the rate of change of angular momentum and signifies the impact of an external process on the internal dynamics of the system.
5. What is a radian?
Radian is the SI unit for the calculation of the angular displacement. While calculating the length traveled by a rotating body, what we are actually calculating is the arc made by the body when it is going around in its axis. Some people prefer to use the system of degrees to signify the path but the scientifically accepted unit of measurement is the radian. The angular velocity is measured as radian/sec and the angular momentum is measured as Kg radian/sec.
