Angular momentum of a two-particle system

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the angular momentum of a two-particle system, focusing on the mathematical formulation and conceptual understanding of the components involved in calculating total angular momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the angular momentum formula but expresses uncertainty about the next steps, particularly regarding the perpendicular components. Some participants suggest using the concept of reduced mass and question the implications of the center of mass in the context of angular momentum.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different aspects of the problem, with some providing guidance on using reduced mass and the center of mass. There is a request for further elaboration on the concept of weighted sums, indicating an ongoing inquiry into the definitions and implications of these terms.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the complexities of angular momentum calculations, with specific attention to the definitions and relationships between the center of mass and individual particle contributions. The original poster's uncertainty highlights potential gaps in understanding the underlying principles.

Phymath
Messages
183
Reaction score
0
angular momentum of a two-particle system
um here's where i get but idk what to do from here some stuff must be perpendicular always and stuff a lil help would be awesome
[tex] \Sigma_i L_i = \Sigma_i \vec{r_i} \times m_i \vec{v_i} = \Sigma_i (\vec{r_i}+\vec{r_{cm}}) \times m_i (\vec{v_i}+\vec{v_{cm}})[/tex]
[tex] \Sigma_i ((\vec{r_i} \times m_i \vec{v_i}) + (\vec{r_i} \times m_i \vec{v_{cm}}) + (\vec{r_{cm}} \times m_i \vec{v_i}) + (\vec{r_{cm}} \times m_i \vec{v_{cm}}))[/tex]
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
make sure you use the reduced mass [tex]\mu = \frac{m_1+m_2}{m_1 m_2}[/tex]
 
Recall that the weighted sum of the relative coordinates is zero from the definition of the center of mass. This allows you to kill two terms in your last equation thus recovering the usual statement that "the total angular momentum is the angular momentum of the center of mass plus the angular momentum about the center of mass".
 
can you elaborate further please weighted sum?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
4K
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
3K