Angular momentum cross product - Please help!

thehiggsboson

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A 1.47kg particle moves in the xy plane with a velocity of v = (4.59i - 3.28j)m/s. Determine the magnitude of the particle's angular momentum when its position vector is r = (1.35i + 2.57j)m.


2. Relevant equations

p = mv

L = r x p (the x is supposed to be a cross product and not a variable)

L = r x mv

3. The attempt at a solution

First I scaled the velocity vector: v = (4.59i - 3.28j)m/s by the mass, 1.47 kg, to get a new momentum vector (6.75i - 4.82j)kg*m/s.

Then I took the cross product of the r vector with the new momentum vector:
(1.35i + 2.57j)m x (6.75i - 4.82j)kg*m/s (I let a=1.35, b=2.57, c=0, d=6.75, e=-4.82, and f=0, the got the k vector cross product by doing k=ae-bd)

The answer I got was -23.9 kg*m^2/s, which wasn't right.

What did I do wrong? Am I even anywhere near the correct solution/answer?

gneill

Did you specify the direction of the angular momentum? (It's a pseudo-vector, so it has a magnitude and direction).

thehiggsboson

I didn't, but I just went back and tried it and it picked up the k as being part of the unit. So, it's not that, I don't think. The question also just asks for magnitude.

gneill

Okay, just the magnitude. What answer did you type in for that?

thehiggsboson

-23.9 kg*m^2/s

gneill

Are magnitudes ever negative?

thehiggsboson

Nope. Wow, I feel a little stupid now. Thanks!

gneill

Heh. We've all been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Cheers.