Derive the equation of angular momentum in the case of rotational motion about a fixed axis.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) For a rigid body rotating about a fixed $Z$-axis,the angular momentum of an individual particle $i$ is given by $\vec{l}_i = \vec{r}_i \times \vec{p}_i$.
The total angular momentum $\vec{L}$ of the rigid body is the vector sum of the angular momenta of all its particles:
$\vec{L} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} \vec{l}_i = \sum_{i=1}^{n} (\vec{r}_i \times \vec{p}_i)$.
Since $\vec{p}_i = m_i \vec{v}_i$ and for rotational motion $\vec{v}_i = \vec{\omega} \times \vec{r}_i$,we have:
$\vec{L} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} [\vec{r}_i \times (m_i (\vec{\omega} \times \vec{r}_i))]$.
For rotation about a fixed axis,the angular velocity $\vec{\omega}$ is constant for all particles and directed along the axis of rotation (let it be the $Z$-axis,$\vec{\omega} = \omega \hat{k}$).
The component of angular momentum along the $Z$-axis is:
$L_Z = \sum_{i=1}^{n} m_i r_i^2 \omega = (\sum_{i=1}^{n} m_i r_i^2) \omega$.
Since the moment of inertia $I = \sum_{i=1}^{n} m_i r_i^2$,we get:
$L_Z = I \omega$.
In vector form,$\vec{L} = I \vec{\omega}$,which is analogous to $\vec{p} = m \vec{v}$ in linear motion.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Does the angular momentum of a body change when its axis of rotation changes? Why?

$A$ particle of mass $= 5 \text{ units}$ is moving with a uniform speed $V = 3 \sqrt{2} \text{ units}$ in the $XOY$ plane along the line $Y = X + 4$. The magnitude of the angular momentum of the particle about the origin is ...... $\text{units}$.

Difficult
View Solution

$A$ particle of mass $m$ moves with a constant velocity. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding its angular momentum?

The position vector of a particle of mass $m$ moving with a constant velocity $\vec{v} = v \hat{i}$ is given by $\vec{r} = x(t) \hat{i} + b \hat{j}$,where $b$ is a constant. At an instant,$\vec{r}$ makes an angle $\theta$ with the $x$-axis. The variation of the magnitude of the angular momentum $|\vec{L}|$ of the particle about the origin with $\theta$ will be:

$A$ particle moves along a circular path with decreasing speed. Hence,

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo