Law of conservation of angular momentum

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding the conservation of angular momentum in a scattering scenario. Participants clarify the relationship between the initial and final angular momentum, specifically addressing how the distance 'b' relates to the vector 'r' in the context of the cross product. It is established that 'b' is a component of 'r' before and after scattering, not throughout the entire path. The conversation also touches on the mathematical relationships involving sine functions and angular velocity, leading to a conclusion that 'b' can be expressed in terms of 'r' and the angle of scattering. Overall, the participants work through the complexities of angular momentum conservation and vector calculus concepts.
Boltzman Oscillation
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Given the figure, how can i arrive to this formula knowing that angular momentum is conserved?

vectorandfigure.png


I know that p = mv and L = p x r. So the initial momentum will be L1 = mV x R and the final momentum will be L2 = mv x r.

I am not sure how R will equal to b since the distance between the initial position of the electron is clearly not b distance apart from the scatterer. I am also not sure how to modify the final angular momentum to fit the formula.
 

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Boltzman Oscillation said:
I know that p = mv and L = p x r. So the initial momentum will be L1 = mV x R and the final momentum will be L2 = mv x r.

I am not sure how R will equal to b since the distance between the initial position of the electron is clearly not b ...
Your b is the magnitude of the r vector component, that is perpendicular to p (or v), before and after the scattering. Do you understand the cross product?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_product
 
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A.T. said:
Your b is the magnitude of the r vector component, that is perpendicular to p (or v), before and after the scattering. Do you understand the cross product?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_product
yes I understand the cross product but I've not had enough practice with it (my math foundations class was a mess). Isnt the magnitude how large the arrow is? In that case then the magnitude b wouldn't be the same as the magnitude of vector r would it? r stretches and shortens throughout the path of movement.
 
Boltzman Oscillation said:
In that case then the magnitude b wouldn't be the same as the magnitude of vector r would it?
Look at your picture. Do they look the same?

Boltzman Oscillation said:
r stretches and shortens throughout the path of movement.
Yes, but b is just one component of r, before and after scattering, not throughout.
 
A.T. said:
Look at your picture. Do they look the same?Yes, but b is just one component of r, before and after scattering, not throughout.
ohh so I am only looking at before and after the scattering and not throughout. Hmm so in that case r = b in both cases. Now the velocity of the particle after the scattering can be described by position/time. Well position will be given by the angle. The derivative of position in respect to time is position right? So the velocity will equal d(angle)/dt. The final angular momentum will then equal:

L = m * d(angle)/dt x b. = m*(dΦ/dt)*bsin(90) = m*(dΦ/dt)?

Ugh why dint I learn vector calculus correctly? :(
I guess its best to take my time to learn it now so it won't impede me later.
 
A.T. said:
b is just one component of r
Boltzman Oscillation said:
r = b
No, see above.
 
A.T. said:
No, see above.
Okay so L = m*(dΦ/dt) x r = m*(dΦ/dt)*b*sin(angle between the two) ?
 
Boltzman Oscillation said:
Okay so L = m*(dΦ/dt) x r = m*(dΦ/dt)*b*sin(angle between the two) ?
Which is greater, b or |r|?
 
A.T. said:
Which is greater, b or |r|?
err I thought b was the magnitude of r? so arent they the same in errrr greatness?
 
  • #10
Boltzman Oscillation said:
err I thought b was the magnitude of r? so arent they the same in errrr greatness?
sigh, on the initial momentum then b will be the yth component of r while in the final momentum r will be greater than b.
 
  • #11
Boltzman Oscillation said:
sigh, on the initial momentum then b will be the yth component of r while in the final momentum r will be greater than b.
So what is the mathematical relation between b and r?
 
  • #12
A.T. said:
So what is the mathematical relation between b and r?
Well for initial momentum:

sin(θ) = b/r

I guess for the final momentum this doesn't change. On inspection of the figure, I conclude that it doesn't change. Thus b = rsin(θ).
Thus L = m*(dΦ/dt) x r = m*(dΦ/dt)*b*sin(θ) = m*(dΦ/dt)*b^2/r?
 
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