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 wave function of the particle could also expand into the right-hand side of the setup and thus influence the angular momentum of the wall. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2024 Particles such as electrons have a kind of intrinsic angular momentum called spin, for instance, and terms capturing the effects of spin go up top. Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024 The team showed that the neutral particles inside an interferometer followed a different path from that of their spin, a quantum mechanical property of particles similar to angular momentum: Denkmayr and his colleagues had indeed found evidence of the Cheshire cat theory. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2024 Now that only their back is in contact with the ground, the linear momentum from their leg turns into angular momentum, which rotates the athlete around an axis that extends upward from their back’s contact point with the ground. Amy Pope, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for angular momentum 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of angular momentum was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near angular momentum

Cite this Entry

“Angular momentum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angular%20momentum. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

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