Table of Contents

The Solar System
Planetary Data
Terminology
Formation Theory Parameters
Magnetic Fields
Angular Momentum
Solar System Formation Questions

Intro to Astronomy
Misconceptions

Archaeoastronomy
Equitorial Coordinates
Understanding the Seasons

Telescopes  

Solar & Lunar Eclipses  

The Earth

The Moon

Mecury, Venus, Mars

The Outer Planets

Solar System Debris

The Sun

Evolution of Stars

Intersteller Matter

Sky Literacy

Conservation of Angular Momentum

1. Definition:
   1. Angular Momentum: A property of any rotating or revolving system whose value depends on the distribution of mass and velocity about the axis of rotation or revolution.
      L = (mr²)w
      I = mr², therefore
      L = Iw where
      L = angular momentum
      I = inertia = mr²
      w = angular rate of spin (usu. in radians per second) One radian = 57.3°
      m = mass of the object r = distance of the mass from the center
   2. Conservation of Angular Momentum: The principle that in any system of rotating and/or revolving bodies the angular momentum is conserved (remains the same) provided that no external torque (force) is applied to the system. In the early solar system, where a large cloud of gas and dust was contracting, the rate of rotation of the protosun had to increase dramatically if angular momentum was conserved. As "r" decreased, "I" became less which caused "w" to increase.