Conservation of Angular Momentum

Reference from the original Physics I textbook.

If no external torque acts on a rotating body, then the angular momentum of the body is conserved.

$(\begin{matrix} a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m a t \\ s o m e i n t i a l t i m e \end{matrix}) = (\begin{matrix} a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m a t \\ s o m e f i n a l t i m e \end{matrix})$

Related Glossary Terms

Conservation of Angular Momentum (Inertia Definition), Conservation of Angular Momentum Equation

Index

Chapter 6 - Angular Momentum

Glossary and deeper reading · 1 refreshers

These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.

Conservation of angular momentum
Angular momentum is conserved about a chosen axis when the net external angular impulse about that axis is zero. Internal interactions can change the distribution of mass and the rotation rates of parts without changing the total. For example, a rotating skater who pulls their arms inward can spin faster as their rotational inertia decreases.
Read more: Conservation of angular momentum →

Conservation of Angular Momentum

Conservation of angular momentum

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