- #1
Shaybay92
- 124
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Hi all,
I am reading a book on spacecraft engineering in the section about trajectory dynamics. They define linear and angular momentum as:
##I = \int_{0}^{\tau}{F}dt## (Linear Momentum)
##L = \int_{0}^{\tau}{T}dt## (Angular Momentum)
But they (and so many other sources) always mention the fact that it is only used in situations where there is an insignificant amount of movement/rotation change incurred, usually over infinitesimal time periods. Why? Is there some inherent imprecision in these equations? If we know the time function of force or torque, would it not yield a correct value for linear/angular impulse over any period of time we desire?
Very confused. Would really appreciate some clarification here.
Thanks
I am reading a book on spacecraft engineering in the section about trajectory dynamics. They define linear and angular momentum as:
##I = \int_{0}^{\tau}{F}dt## (Linear Momentum)
##L = \int_{0}^{\tau}{T}dt## (Angular Momentum)
But they (and so many other sources) always mention the fact that it is only used in situations where there is an insignificant amount of movement/rotation change incurred, usually over infinitesimal time periods. Why? Is there some inherent imprecision in these equations? If we know the time function of force or torque, would it not yield a correct value for linear/angular impulse over any period of time we desire?
Very confused. Would really appreciate some clarification here.
Thanks