6.3 Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse

Angular Momentum of a Rigid Body

Analogous to linear momentum (${p = mv}$), a rotating object possesses angular momentum, which quantifies how difficult it is to change its rotational motion.

Angular momentum depends on both the angular velocity and the distribution of mass around the axis of rotation.

Angular momentum is a vector, measured in kilogram·meter² per second (kg·m²/s), and represented by L.

Important Equation: ${L = I \omega}$

${L}$ = angular momentum of the rigid body

${I}$ = rotational inertia

${\omega}$ = angular velocity

The direction of L follows the right-hand rule (same as the direction of ${\omega}$).