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Re: Torque

In the case of angular momentum, two subscripts are applicable:
an origin for r and a reference frame for v
(in L = r x m*v for the ang. mom of a particle).

I once submitted an article to AJP detailing a unified treatment of ang mom
which explicitly carries two appropriate subscripts. The article was
rejected as adding unneeded complications. Perhaps I'll try the new editor
:)

Presently there is confusion when students compare different theorems
presented by various intermediate mechanics texts for origins/frames from
which the rotational version of N2 can be validly applied. The source of
this confusion is precisely the non-explicit choice of origin/frame for r/v
.

Bob

Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
trebor@velocity.net
www.velocity.net/~trebor
----- Original Message -----
From: "Leigh Palmer" <palmer@SFU.CA>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 6:33 PM
Subject: Re: Torque


. . .
Whenever I use a symbol for a torque (or angular momentum, or moment of
inertia) I *always* affix a subscript to the symbol as a reminder that
the reference point should be specified.
. . .
Leigh