angular momentum
noun
: a vector quantity that is a measure of the rotational momentum of a rotating body or system, that is equal in classical physics to the product of the angular velocity of the body or system and its moment of inertia with respect to the rotation axis, and that is directed along the rotation axis
Examples of angular momentum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thus, conservation of angular momentum is preserved.
—
Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 24 July 2023
Concentrating more mass in a smaller space will force an object to speed up to preserve angular momentum.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 17 May 2023
If the wave has no angular momentum and the turbine has no angular momentum, nothing will change.
—Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 2 Mar. 2022
By the mid-1800s, the basic laws of motion had been established; it was assumed that the law of conservation of angular momentum meant that an object in free fall needed something to push against to give it initial rotation.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2023
Rotational symmetries lead to the law of conservation of angular momentum.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2023
The angular momenta of the two turning parts of the cat's torso offset each other, resulting in an angular momentum of essentially zero.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2023
Correction: April 18, 2023 Rotational symmetries imply the conservation of angular momentum, not just momentum, as the article originally stated.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2023
Instead Chen, Wang and their colleagues prepared single-photon pairs and entangled two of their properties independently: their polarization state and a property called orbital angular momentum.
—Philip Ball, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2022
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Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 24 July 2023
Concentrating more mass in a smaller space will force an object to speed up to preserve angular momentum.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 17 May 2023
If the wave has no angular momentum and the turbine has no angular momentum, nothing will change.
—Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 2 Mar. 2022
By the mid-1800s, the basic laws of motion had been established; it was assumed that the law of conservation of angular momentum meant that an object in free fall needed something to push against to give it initial rotation.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2023
Rotational symmetries lead to the law of conservation of angular momentum.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2023
The angular momenta of the two turning parts of the cat's torso offset each other, resulting in an angular momentum of essentially zero.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2023
Correction: April 18, 2023 Rotational symmetries imply the conservation of angular momentum, not just momentum, as the article originally stated.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2023
Instead Chen, Wang and their colleagues prepared single-photon pairs and entangled two of their properties independently: their polarization state and a property called orbital angular momentum.
—Philip Ball, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'angular momentum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1817, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near angular momentum
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“Angular momentum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angular%20momentum. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on angular momentum
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about angular momentum
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