Torque and Angular Momentum: Detailed Explanations and Problem

The article discusses the relationship between torque and angular momentum of the rotating body and its solved problems.

The torque and angular momentum are the rotational analogue of force and linear momentum respectively. The net torque on the rotating body produces its rate of change in angular momentum about the axis of rotation as per Newton’s laws. If torque is absent, then its angular momentum is conserved. 

Let’s consider a rigid body where a tangential force works on the point mass m at the distance r from its axis of rotation.  

When a net force functions on the body that is fixed to an axis, its momentum (mv) varies and it starts moving. Since a force is applied away from its axis of rotation, the angular momentum (L) is built from the product of the linear momentum (P) on the body and perpendicular distance (r) from the axis of rotation.

The magnitude of angular momentum is,

θ

is the angle between r and P.

If internal particles are at the origin of the body or

gif

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  are antiparallel 180o or parallel 0o to each other, the linear momentum

gif

and angular momentum

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become zero. 

Read about Torque and Speed

Torque and Angular Momentum
Torque and Angular Momentum

Torque and Angular Momentum Relationship

Due to applied force at distance, a torque is generated on the body so that it can rotate about its axis. That’s how a torque sets the rotational motion on the body.

Like angular momentum formula, the torque also equivalent to the applied force at distance.

The magnitude of torque is,

T=rFsinθ

The angle between r and F is zero. i.e., = sin90o = 1

sinθ=sin90o = 1

So,  

T=rF1………………..(4)

Newton’s laws of motion says, F = ma

T=r(ma)…………(5)

Note that the body is accelerated means the body’s motions change; so its momentum.

T=rm*dv/dt

T=d/dt*rmv

T=d/dt*rp

From equation (2),

The relationship between torque and angular momentum is equivalent to the force and linear momentum described by Newton’s laws of motion. The equation (*) is Newton’s law of motion formula in rotational motion. That’s how the torque and angular momentum enable us to transform the state of rotational motion.

Torque and Angular Momentum Relationship
Torque and Angular Momentum Relationship
(credit: shutterstock)

What is the torque acting on the spinning top that changes its momentum from 30 kgm/s to 50 kgm/s in 5 seconds?

Given:

L1 = 30 kgm/s

L2 = 50 kgm/s

t1 = 0s

t2 = 5s

To Find:

T=?

Formula:

T=dL/dt

Solution:

The torque acting on the top is calculated as,

T=dL/dt

T=L2-L1/t2-t1

Substituting all values,

T=50-30/5-0

T=20/4

T=5

The torque acting on the top is 5Nm.

A rotating body having a radius of 1.5m moves at a momentum of 50 kgm/s. Calculate the torque acting on the body for 5 seconds which changes its momentum to 100 kgm/s.

Given:

r = 1.5m

P1 = 50 kgm/s

t2 = 2s

t1 = 0s

P2 = 100 kgm/s

To Find: =?

T=?

Formula:

L = r x P

T=dL/dt

Solution:

The angular momentum of the body before torque induced is,

L1 = r x P1

L1 = 1.5 x 50

L1 = 75kgm2/sec

The angular momentum of the body after torque induced is,

L2 = r x P2

L2 = 1.5 x 100

L2 = 150kgm2/sec

The torque acting on the rotating body is calculated as,

T=dL/dt

π=L2-L1/t2-t1

Substituting all values,

π=150-75/2-0

π=75/2

π=37.5

The torque acting on the body is 37.5Nm. 

Find Torque from Angular Momentum

The torque is found by differentiation of angular momentum.

Differentiate the equation (1),

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gif

The term

gif

is the linear velocity

\ of the body.

gif

The velocity and momentum is in the exact direction. So,= vpsin0o = 0

gif

The term is as per Newton’s laws.

Torque and Angular Momentum Formula

The term is the torque acting on the body which changes angular momentum L.

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The position vector r and force F perpendicular to each other.

gif

Substituting above equation into equation (%),

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mThe relation between linear acceleration a and angular acceleration α is, a = rα

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The torque delivers the required angular acceleration to the rigid body to accomplish the rotational motion. The direction of both τ and α along the rotation axis. If they are in the same direction, the body will accelerate angularly. But if they are in the opposite direction, the body will deaccelerate.

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Moment of Inertia in Angular Momentum
Moment of Inertia in Angular Momentum
(credit: shutterstock)

The term mr2 is called moment of inertia’ (I) which describes the body’s tendency to oppose angular acceleration.

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From equation (*), (7) and (8), the torque and angular momentum formula is,

Torque and Angular Momentum
Torque and Angular Momentum
(credit: shutterstock)

The above equation shows that the torque working on the body as per the product of moment of inertia and angular acceleration changes its angular momentum.

If there is no torque working on the body. i.e.

gif

is also zero. That means the angular momentum of the body does not vary or remain constant. That’s how the angular momentum is conserved. 

Read about Torque and Angular Velocity

What is the torque acting at 0.5m on a disc having a mass of 5kg which accelerates to 10 rad/s2?

Given:

r = 0.5m

m = 5kg

α= 10 rad/s2

To Find: τ =?

Formula: τ =Iα

Solution:

The torque acting on an disc is calculated as,

τ= Iα

But the moment of inertia is I =mr2

τ = mr2α

Substituting all values,

The torque acting the disc is 12.5Nm.

A force of 50N is applied at a distance of 2m on the rigid body of 5kg which accelerates angularly to 5 rad/s2. Calculate the torque acting on the body.

Given:

F = 50N

r = 2m

m = 5kg

s2

To Find: τ =?

Formula:

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Solution:

The torque on the rigid body is calculated as,

But I =mr2

gif

Substituting all values,

gif
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The torque acting on the rigid body is 100Nm.

Torque and Angular Momentum for a System of Particles

Suppose the system S contains the particle j having mass mj and velocity vj.

From equation (1) The angular momentum of particle j is given by,

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Hence, the total angular momentum of the rotating system is,

gif

From equation (*), the change in angular momentum of the system is,

gif

The term

gif

acting on the system.

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As per equation (%),

In a close system, the net torque is the sum of internal and external torques on individual particles within the system.

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But all internal forces within the body are zero.

From the above equation, we understand that, when external torque acts on the body, its total angular momentum changes.

Read about Momentum of System


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