Torque the vector cross product, p is the particle's linear momentum, and r is the displacement vector from the origin (the origin is assumed to be a fixed location anywhere in space). The time-derivative of this is: This result can easily be proven by splitting the vectors into components and applying the product rule. Now using the definition of force formula_17 (whether or not mass is constant) and the definition of velocity formula_18 The cross product of momentum formula_20 with its associated velocity formula_21 is zero because velocity and momentum are parallel, so the second term vanishes. By definition, torque τ
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"