In case of a projectile, where is the angular momentum minimum
Correct Answer :
At the starting point
Solution :
The correct answer is: At the starting point
Let us analyze the angular momentum of a projectile during its motion.
The angular momentum of a particle of mass with position vector and velocity vector relative to the point of projection (the starting point) is defined as:
At the starting point (the point of projection), the position vector of the projectile with respect to itself is:
Therefore, substituting into the expression for angular momentum gives:
At any other point during the flight, both the position vector and velocity vector are non-zero, and they are not parallel (except potentially at the exact start, but there anyways). As a result, the cross product is non-zero, making the angular momentum greater than zero.
Thus, the magnitude of angular momentum is minimum (specifically, zero) at the starting point.
Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.
Create, conduct, and manage professional online assessments with Crey. Perfect for teachers and institutes.
Copyright © 2026 Crey. All Rights Reserved.