Rotational motion refers to the movement of an object around a central axis, characterized by angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration. It is governed by principles such as torque, moment of inertia, and conservation of angular momentum, which are analogous to linear motion but applied in a circular context.

Rotational Motion

Rotational motion

movement of an object

The central axis is a fundamental concept in geometry and physics, representing an imaginary line around which an object or system is symmetrically arranged or rotates. It is crucial in understanding the balance, symmetry, and dynamics of physical structures and systems in various scientific disciplines.

central axis

Angular displacement refers to the angle through which a point or line has been rotated in a specified sense about a specified axis. It is a vector quantity, having both magnitude and direction, and is typically measured in radians or degrees.

angular displacement

Angular velocity is a vector quantity that represents the rate of rotation of an object around a specific axis, expressed in radians per second. It is crucial in understanding rotational motion dynamics and is directly related to angular displacement and time.

Angular Velocity

Angular acceleration is the rate of change of angular velocity over time, describing how quickly an object is rotating. It is a vector quantity, which means it has both a magnitude and a direction, and is typically measured in radians per second squared.

Angular Acceleration

Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object, which causes it to rotate around an axis or pivot point. It is calculated as the product of the force applied and the distance from the point of rotation, with the direction of the torque determined by the right-hand rule.

torque

Moment of Inertia quantifies an object's resistance to changes in its rotational motion about a specific axis, akin to how mass quantifies resistance to linear acceleration. It depends on both the mass of the object and the distribution of that mass relative to the axis of rotation, making it crucial for understanding rotational dynamics in physics and engineering.

moment of inertia

Conservation of angular momentum states that if no external torque acts on a system, the total angular momentum of the system remains constant. This principle is crucial in understanding the rotational motion of objects, from the spinning of planets to the operation of machinery.

conservation of angular momentum

Linear motion refers to the movement of an object along a straight path in one dimension, where its velocity and acceleration are constant or variable. It is a fundamental aspect of classical mechanics, often analyzed using equations of motion to predict future positions and velocities.

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