angular momentum

noun

: a vector quantity that is a measure of the rotational momentum of a rotating body or system, that is equal in classical physics to the product of the angular velocity of the body or system and its moment of inertia with respect to the rotation axis, and that is directed along the rotation axis

Examples of angular momentum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Furthermore, when suspended in midair, the humanoid robot produced the angular momentum compensation in the yaw direction. Erico Guizzo, IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2017 Particles such as electrons have a kind of intrinsic angular momentum called spin, for instance, and terms capturing the effects of spin go up top. Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024 Astrophysicists have a new suggestion: Dark matter could sap angular momentum from the two black holes and nudge them closer. Quanta Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 The wave function of the particle could also expand into the right-hand side of the setup and thus influence the angular momentum of the wall. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for angular momentum 

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of angular momentum was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near angular momentum

Cite this Entry

“Angular momentum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angular%20momentum. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on angular momentum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!