Cross product "matrix", then it can be generalized in an arbitrary number of dimensions. In mechanics, for example, the angular velocity can be interpreted either as a pseudovector formula_167 or as a anti-symmetric matrix or skew-symmetric tensor formula_168. In the latter case, the velocity law for a rigid body looks: where Ω is formally defined from the rotation matrix formula_170 associated to body's frame: formula_171 In three-dimensions holds: In quantum mechanics the angular momentum formula_173 is often represented as an anti-symmetric matrix or tensor. More precisely, it is the result of cross product involving position formula_174 and linear momentum formula_111: Since both
Angular velocity particle moves around the origin in a circle; but when there is no cross-radial component, it moves in a straight line from the origin. Since radial motion leaves the angle unchanged, only the cross-radial component of linear velocity contributes to angular velocity. The angular velocity "ω" is the rate of change of angle with respect to time, which can be computed from the cross-radial velocity as: Here the cross-radial speed formula_13 is the signed magnitude of formula_11, positive for counter-clockwise motion, negative for clockwise. Taking polar coordinates for the linear velocity v gives magnitude "v" (linear speed) and angle "θ"