Angular
momentum
Angular momentum is a
physical quantity of rotational motion to understand about the rotation of the
body. Angular momentum explains the impact of the torque on the body to rotate.
Angular momentum is similar to the linear momentum of a body in translatory
motion. Angular momentum explains the ability of a body to transfer rotational
kinetic energy to other bodies during its interaction with the other bodies.
Angular momentum is
defined as the moment of momentum. It means the product of momentum of the body
and the perpendicular distance of the body from the axis of rotation. It could
be said as the vector product of distance of the body from axis of rotation and
momentum of the body. It means it is the product of two vectors and the result
is also a vector quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
Angular momentum is
equal to the magnitude of the product of the mass of the body, linear velocity
and the distance of the particle from the axis of rotation. We can rewrite the
magnitude of the linear velocity as the product of the distance of the body
from axis of rotation and the angular velocity of the body. So we can rewrite
the angular momentum as the product of the moment of inertia and angular
velocity.
Conservation
of Angular Momentum
Angular momentum of a
system in rotational motion is always conserved when no external torque is
acting on it. We can define torque as the rate of change of angular momentum.
When torque is not acting, we can equate the rate of change of angular momentum
can be equated to zero. It means change in angular momentum with respect to
time is not there when there is no torque is acting on it. It means angular
momentum of the system is zero. It means when no external torque is acting on
the system, angular momentum of the system remains constant.
Law of conservation of
any system is always conserved for all the bodies in rotational motion when no
external torque is acting on it.
Applications
of Law of conservation of Angular Momentum
Spin on Turn Table
We can explain law of
conservation of angular momentum using some simple examples. Let us consider a
ballet dancer rotating on a rotating disc. If he wants to increase his speed
without any external torque, he can do it using conservation of angular
momentum. Let he folds his hands and legs near to his spine and it is his axis
of rotation on the rotating floor. There is no external support of torque
acting on him in any manner. As he folds his body parts close to axis of
rotation, hence his moment of inertia decreases.
We know as per law of
conservation of angular momentum, it is conserved and it is the product of
moment of inertia and angular velocity of the body. As the moment of inertia
decreases, its angular velocity automatically increases to conserve angular
momentum. So he starts rotating with more angular velocity. The vice versa is
also possible and by moving the hands and legs away from axis of rotation, his
moment of inertia increases and angular velocity increases.
Diving from spring board
Let
us
consider diving sport. Sports person jumps from spring board into air and
finally lands into the water. He will be the winner if he makes more acrobatics
in air like somersaults. There is no external torque supporting him anyway. He
has to increase his angular speed himself to make more somersaults. He folds in
hand and legs close to the stomach as it are his axis of rotation in the jump.
Thus the distance of the body parts from axis of rotation decreases and hence
moment of inertia also decreases. As angular momentum is conserved, his angular
velocity increases and hence he can make more number of somersaults.
When he reaches near
the bottom of the swimming pool, he shall reduce his speed. If not, he will
land in with risky speed and it may cause injury to him. To avoid it, he opens
his hands and legs away from the axis of rotation, his moment of inertia
increases and hence angular momentum decreases.
Below is the detailed video lesson regarding conservation of angular momentum and its applications.
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