The concept of conservation of angular momentum is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the behavior of rotating objects. Angular momentum is a quantity that depends on the mass, shape, and distribution of an object, as well as its rotational speed. When no external torque acts on a system, the total angular momentum remains constant. This principle can be mathematically expressed as L = Iω, where L is the angular momentum, I is the moment of inertia, and ω is the angular velocity.

To better understand the conservation of angular momentum, let's consider an example. Imagine a figure skater spinning on ice. As the skater pulls in their arms, their moment of inertia decreases. According to the conservation of angular momentum, the angular velocity of the skater increases to compensate for the decrease in moment of inertia, allowing them to maintain their angular momentum.

Another example of conservation of angular momentum is the motion of planets in our solar system. As a planet moves closer to the sun, its speed increases due to the conservation of angular momentum. This is known as the conservation of orbital angular momentum.

In summary, the conservation of angular momentum states that the total angular momentum of a system remains constant when no external torques act upon it. This principle is applicable to various scenarios, including rotating objects and orbital motion, and plays a significant role in understanding the behavior of physical systems.