183_notes:ap_derivation

Consider a single particle (mass, m) that is moving with a momentum p. This particle experiences a net force Fnet, which will change the particle's momentum based on the momentum principle,

Fnet=dpdt

Now, if we consider the cross product of the momentum principle with some defined lever arm (e.g., the origin of coordinates), r, we can show this results in the angular momentum principle.

r×Fnet=r×dpdt

This cross product of the lever arm and the net force is the net torque about that chosen location,

τnet=r×dpdt

The right hand-side of the equation can be re-written using the chain rule. This gives the difference of two terms.

τnet=ddt(r×p)drdt×p

The term on the far right is the cross product of the particle's velocity and momentum,

τnet=ddt(r×p)v×p

which for an object that doesn't change identity is zero.

τnet=ddt(r×p)mv×v=0

And thus, we have the angular momentum principle in its derivative form,

τnet=ddt(r×p)

τnet=dLdt

  • 183_notes/ap_derivation.txt
  • Last modified: 2014/11/20 18:06
  • by caballero