Orbital Angular Momentum
The quantized angular momentum of a quantum particle associated with its orbital spatial motion around a central force field.
Governing formula
|L| = √(l (l + 1)) ℏ, L_z = m_l ℏ
SI unit
J·s (Angular Momentum Units)
In depth
Quantized by azimuthal quantum number l (0 to n-1) and magnetic quantum number m_l (-l to +l). Magnitude |L| and z-component L_z are simultaneously measurable observables.
Examples in the real world
Determining atomic orbital subshell shapes (s, p, d, f) and optical dipole selection rules in spectroscopy.