2006-08-22 06:40:22 · 7 answers · asked by jeanpace89 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
"Linear momentum" is a type of momentum. "Angular momentum" is a different type of momentum. Linear is used for straight line type problems, while angular is used for curved line, including circles, type problems. So yes, they are different and they use different mathematical formulas. . If they say linear momentum, they are saying to use those formulae and to exclude the angular momentum formulae. Got it?
2006-08-22 06:53:35 · answer #1 · answered by MrZ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think someone answered this one already pretty well.
Yes there is a difference. Linear momentum is calculated as the momentum in a straight line in essence.
"Momentum" in your non-specific discription can also encompass ANGULAR momentum. This is in essence momentum in a circular direction.
EXAMPLE: Linear momentum - simplified, the intitial stages of a bullet being fired from a gun or a rocket taking off vertically.
EXAMPLE: ANGULAR MOMENTUM. There used to be a popular 80's game where a tennis ball was on a piece of string which was in turn attached to the top of a pole which itself was stood in the ground uprigt. When the ball was hit with a racket it would travel around the pole in a circular direction back to the player who would have to hit it again quickly.
As the ball travelled around the pole the string would stop if from flying off and give the ball an angular momentum.
If we tried to solve this as a linear momentum problem we would end up with it as a function of time and assumming systematic, uniform play from the player, the reultent linear momentum would look like a SINE curve. Don't worry if this is too much.
EXAMPLE: BOTH LIUNEAR AND ANGULAR MOMENTUM. If you roll a cylinder (ie rolling pin)along a horizontal (flat) surface it has both a linear momentum AND an angular one. Considering the rolling pin as a whole and using its centre of mass for calculations we could give the rolling pin a linear momentum.
However, if we look at the rolling pin cross-sectionally (ie from the side so it looks like a circle), it also goes round and round as it travels along the surface. Therefore we can assign an angular momentum to the rolling pin as well since we now have momentum calculations as a function of its radius.
So to sumerise, yes. There is a difference. One deals with straight lines (linear) and the other deals with circular / circle motion (angular).
2006-08-22 07:31:37 · answer #2 · answered by frohike47 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Momentum in physics is mass in motion (p). It's a vector quantity that is deriven from the product of an objects mass multiplied by it's velocity. (p= m*v) Linear momentum is just that, momentum of an object moving in a straight line. Angular momentum is momentum of an object that is going around in a circle.
2006-08-22 06:57:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes; momentum can be angular as well.
2006-08-22 06:48:57 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes!
2006-08-22 06:51:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No difference as far as I'm concerned.
2006-08-22 06:47:24 · answer #6 · answered by yahoohoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i idont know
2006-08-22 06:48:35 · answer #7 · answered by lins 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋