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
Reduced mass a multitude of two-body problems, where classical mechanics is applicable. In a system with two point masses m and m such that they are co-linear, the center of mass may be found via formula_25. The moment of inertia of this system in the center of mass frame of reference is a two-body problem with two masses, each with its own distance to the center of mass. By converting to the equivalent reduced mass frame of reference, the system may be treated as a single reduced mass, μ, with a distance, d, equal to the sum of x and x. This