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conservation of angular momentum

physics
Also known as: law of constant angular momentum

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The conservation of angular momentum is a fundamental principle in physics stating that the total angular momentum of an isolated system remains constant. Angular momentum is a measure of an object's or system's rotational motion. It's a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

For a particle, angular momentum is calculated using its mass, velocity, and its distance from a reference point. The significance of angular momentum lies in its relationship with torque; if no external torque acts on a system, its angular momentum is conserved. This principle is crucial because it explains why objects maintain their rotation unless acted upon by an external force, such as a figure skater speeding up their spin by drawing their arms inward. This law is essential for understanding phenomena from planetary orbits to the behavior of subatomic particles.123

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