If the angular momentum of a system is conserved, which of the following statements is true?
Correct Answer: Angular momentum is conserved when the net external torque is zero.
- Step 1: Understand what angular momentum is. It is a measure of how much motion an object has when it is rotating.
- Step 2: Learn about torque. Torque is a force that causes an object to rotate.
- Step 3: Know that when we say 'angular momentum is conserved', it means that the total angular momentum of a system does not change over time.
- Step 4: Realize that for angular momentum to be conserved, there must be no net external torque acting on the system.
- Step 5: Conclude that if the net external torque is zero, then the angular momentum remains constant.
- Conservation of Angular Momentum – Angular momentum remains constant in a system when no external torque acts on it.
- Torque – Torque is the measure of the force that produces or changes rotational motion.
