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

The resulting conserved quantity is angular momentum. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 23 June 2026

In both cases, the presence of large temperature differences over a short distance and angular momentum are important. — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026

Then, angular momentum caused the material surrounding that [star], that didn't make it into the sun, to form a disk that is rotating and orbiting around the star. — Doris Elin Urrutia, Space.com, 8 June 2026

Normally, swirling light (which carries orbital angular momentum) only appears in higher-energy, unstable states. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for angular momentum

• argumentum
• sacramentum
• testamentum
• cementum
• omentum
• tegmentum
• tomentum
• centum
• mentum