Angular Momentum

Rotational analogue of momentum, the cross product of position and momentum; conserved when no external torque acts.

Specifications & Metrics

symbol

L = r × p

Core Principles & Analysis

• Earth's orbital angular momentum about the Sun is about 2.66 × 10⁴⁰ J·s, while its rotational angular momentum is about 7.05 × 10³³ J·s.
• Tidal transfer of angular momentum slows Earth's rotation rate by about 65.7 nanoseconds per day.
• The same transfer increases the radius of the Moon's orbit by about 3.82 centimeters per year.

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Sources

• Wikipedia: Angular momentum