Translational and Rotational Motion – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering definitions and examples related to translational and rotational motion, as discussed in the lecture.

Translational Motion

Movement in which every point of an object travels the same distance in the same direction; the object changes position without rotating.

Translatory Motion

Another name for translational motion; linear movement from one location to another.

Rotational Motion

Movement in which an object spins around a fixed axis or center, causing different points to trace circles about that axis.

Rotary Motion

Alternate term for rotational motion or circular motion.

Linear Displacement

The straight-line distance and direction an object moves during translational motion.

Linear Velocity

Rate of change of linear displacement with respect to time; speed in a specified direction in translational motion.

Linear Acceleration

Rate at which linear velocity changes with time during translational motion.

Linear Momentum

Quantity of motion in translational movement, equal to mass multiplied by linear velocity.

Angular Displacement

The angle through which a line or point rotates about a specified axis.

Angular Velocity

Rate of change of angular displacement with time; how fast an object rotates.

Angular Acceleration

Rate at which angular velocity changes with time.

Angular Momentum

Quantity of rotational motion, equal to an object's moment of inertia multiplied by its angular velocity; conserved in isolated systems.

Axis of Rotation

An imaginary line about which an object rotates.

Isaac Newton

17th-century English physicist and mathematician who formulated the three laws of motion linking force and movement, foundational to both translational and rotational dynamics.

Car on a Highway

Common example of pure translational motion—vehicle moves forward without spinning about its center.

Earth Rotating on Its Axis

Classic example of rotational motion—the planet spins around an internal axis once every 24 hours.

Moving Bicycle

Illustrates combined translational (forward motion) and rotational (spinning wheels) movement.