- #1
quebecois22
- 23
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Hello,
I've been reviewing some of my old mechanics stuff recently and I've finally come across rotating objects, more specifically about torque and angular momentum. I understand that they are both vectors perpendicular to the radius and the force (for torque) and angular velocity (for momentum).
However, I just don't get why they are vectors, specifically why they go in that direction.
This picture here:
clearly shows the magnitude and directions of the different things going on as the particle rotates.
But how can the angular momentum of the particle be perpendicular to the movement it's doing? How can the tendency of the force applied to rotate the object be perpendicular to this force?
If someone could clear this up for me, it'd be very appreciated
Thank you,
I've been reviewing some of my old mechanics stuff recently and I've finally come across rotating objects, more specifically about torque and angular momentum. I understand that they are both vectors perpendicular to the radius and the force (for torque) and angular velocity (for momentum).
However, I just don't get why they are vectors, specifically why they go in that direction.
This picture here:
But how can the angular momentum of the particle be perpendicular to the movement it's doing? How can the tendency of the force applied to rotate the object be perpendicular to this force?
If someone could clear this up for me, it'd be very appreciated
Thank you,
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