angular momentum
noun Physics.
the product of the moment of inertia of a body about an axis and its angular velocity with respect to the same axis.
Also called
moment of momentum.
Origin of angular momentum
First recorded in 1865–70
Words nearby angular momentum
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angular leaf spot,
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angular measure,
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angular stomatitis,
angular vein,
angular velocity,
angularity,
angulate
British Dictionary definitions for angular momentum
angular momentum
noun
a property of a mass or system of masses turning about some fixed point; it is conserved in the absence of the action of external forces
Scientific definitions for angular momentum
angular momentum
[ ăng′gyə-lər ]
A measure of the momentum of a body in rotational motion. The angular momentum of rigid bodies is conserved; thus, a spinning sphere will continue to spin unless acted on by an outside force. Changes in angular momentum are equivalent to torque. In classical mechanics, angular momentum is equal to the product of the angular velocity of the body and its moment of inertia around the axis of rotation. It is a vector quantity; the vector points up along the axis of counterclockwise rotation. In quantum mechanics, the angular momentum of a physical system is quantized and can only take on discrete values. See also Planck's constant spin.