Which Direction Does Angular Momentum Point When Traveling North?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around angular momentum and angular acceleration in the context of a car traveling north. The original poster presents two parts to the problem, focusing on the direction of the angular momentum vector for a tire while moving at constant velocity and the direction of the angular acceleration vector when brakes are applied.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of the right-hand rule to determine the direction of angular momentum and angular acceleration. There is some confusion regarding the interpretation of directions, particularly whether left corresponds to east or west.

Discussion Status

Multiple interpretations of the directions have been presented, with some participants questioning the original poster's reasoning. There is an acknowledgment of corrections made regarding the directional assumptions, but no consensus has been reached on the correct answers.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential misunderstandings of the right-hand rule and the implications of angular motion in a real-world scenario, with participants attempting to clarify their positions based on the problem's setup.

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Homework Statement


A) You travel north down a road in a car at constant velocity. In which direction (N, S, E, W, up, down) does the angular momentum vector point for one of the tires.

B) Same situation. If you slam on the brakes in which direction does the angular acceleration vector point for one of the tires. (N, S, E, W, up, down)

Homework Equations



L = r x p

The Attempt at a Solution



For A, I think it's East because of the right hand rule. My fingers would be curling forward and my thumb would be pointing to the Left.

For B, I'm not sure. I guess it would be West just because acceleration would be negative and in the opposite direction of A.
 
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baseballer said:
For A, I think it's East because of the right hand rule. My fingers would be curling forward and my thumb would be pointing to the Left.
You think left is East?
 
Sorry about that. I meant West for A and East for B
 
baseballer said:
Sorry about that. I meant West for A and East for B
Sounds good to me.
 

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