What does angular momentum describe?

Angular momentum describes the quantity of rotation of an object. It is a fundamental concept in physics that indicates how much rotational motion an object has, influenced by its mass, shape, and speed of rotation. The angular momentum of a rotating object can be determined by the product of its moment of inertia and its angular velocity. This relationship shows how an object's resistance to changes in its rotational state is determined by both its mass distribution and how fast it is spinning.

Understanding angular momentum is crucial in various fields, such as engineering and astrophysics, as it helps explain the motion of planets, the stability of spinning tops, and the behavior of objects in systems where rotational dynamics are significant.