Angular Momentum and Energy Simulation

Mass (kg): Speed (m/s): Fly Y Position: (50) Clockwise Rotation

Circular Motion

Energy: N/A
Angular Momentum: N/A

Linear Motion

Energy: N/A
Angular Momentum: N/A

Legend

r: Position Vector from Origin
v: Velocity Vector
L: Angular Momentum Vector (correct direction)
Red Arrow: Clockwise Angular Momentum (into screen)
Green Dot: Counter-clockwise Angular Momentum (out of screen)

Understanding Angular Momentum

Angular momentum is a vector quantity that tells us how "spinning-like" the motion of an object is around a point.

What is Angular Momentum?

It is calculated as: Angular Momentum = Position × Momentum, a cross product.

Position vector (r): Object's position from origin
Momentum (p): Mass × Velocity

Direction with Right-Hand Rule

Fingers curl in rotation direction
Thumb shows direction of angular momentum

This vector can point into or out of the screen depending on direction.