Asked in PMC Practice Test 12 (2021) 2021Moderate

The value of angular momentum is maximum when θ is:

Correct answer: D. 90 degrees

  • A. 60 degrees
  • B. 45 degrees
  • C. 0 degrees
  • D. 90 degrees

Explanation

The formula for angular momentum is; L = r × p × sin(θ) where L represents the angular momentum, r is the position vector, p is the linear momentum, and θ is the angle between the position vector and the linear momentum vector. When θ is 90 degrees, sin(90) = 1, and therefore the term sin(θ) becomes maximum. This means that the value of angular momentum (L) will be maximum when the angle between the position vector and the linear momentum vector is 90 degrees. Hence, the correct option is 90 degrees.

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About Vector Product

The vector product, or cross product, gives a vector perpendicular to two multiplying vectors, with magnitude AB sin θ and direction set by the right-hand rule. It covers properties such as anti-commutation, area from cross products, torque and angular momentum. Unlike the dot product, its result is a vector.

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