Conservation of angular momentum invariance

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the conservation of angular momentum invariance during elastic collisions in two reference frames, O and O', moving at a constant velocity $\vec{V}$. The key equation to prove is that the angular momentum before and after the collision remains equal in both frames, expressed through the Galilean transformation equations $\vec{r} = \vec{r'} + \vec{V}t$ and $\vec{v} = \vec{v'} + \vec{V}$. The participant seeks assistance in canceling specific terms related to the center of mass, which are crucial for demonstrating this invariance.

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  • Understanding of angular momentum and its mathematical representation.
  • Familiarity with Galilean transformations in classical mechanics.
  • Knowledge of elastic collisions and conservation laws.
  • Proficiency in vector calculus, particularly cross products.
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  • Explore examples of elastic collisions and their mathematical formulations.
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Melian
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Homework Statement



Given a reference frame O' moving at a constant speed $\vec{V}$ in relation to another reference frame O, I want to prove that

##\vec{r_{1B}} \times m_1\vec{v_{1B}} + \vec{r_{2B}} \times m_2\vec{v_{2B}} = \vec{r_{1F}} \times m_1\vec{v_{1F}} + \vec{r_{2F}} \times m_2\vec{v_{2F}}##

in O is equal to

##\vec{r'_{1B}} \times m_1\vec{v'_{1B}} + \vec{r'_{2B}} \times m_2\vec{v'_{2B}} = \vec{r'_{1F}} \times m_1\vec{v'_{1F}} + \vec{r'_{2F}} \times m_2\vec{v'_{2F}}##

in O'. The particles 1 and 2 are colliding (elastic collision). B stands for before the collision and F, after the collision.

Homework Equations



Galilean transformation gives :

##\vec{r} = \vec{r'} + \vec{V}t## and ##\vec{v} = \vec{v'} + \vec{V}##

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
Substituting these expressions into the first equation and developing the cross products, I obtain, after having canceled out 8 terms (because of the conservation of linear momentum),

##\vec{r'_{1B}} \times m_1\vec{v'_{1B}} + \vec{r'_{1B}} \times m_1\vec{V} + \vec{r'_{2B}} \times m_2\vec{v'_{2B}} + \vec{r'_{2B}} \times m_2\vec{V} = \vec{r'_{1F}} \times m_1\vec{v'_{1F}} + \vec{r'_{1F}} \times m_1\vec{V} + \vec{r'_{2F}} \times m_2\vec{v'_{2F}} + \vec{r'_{2F}} \times m_2\vec{V}##

My problem is that I do not know how to cancel out the ##\vec{r'_{1B}} \times m_1\vec{V}## terms... How do I do that? Thanks!
 
Last edited:
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The sum of these terms across all particles = (total mass * position of the center of mass) X V . This quantity is preserved in collisions, since the center of mass and total mass don't change. [In addition, it is preserved across the Galilean transformation also, since r' - r is a multiple of V so contributed nothing to the cross product]
 

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