physics rotational motion vocab

rotational motion

the motion of an object around a circular path about an axis

angular displacement

the angle through which a body moves in a circular path

angular velocity

the rate of angular displacement of an object that moves about a circle

tangential velocity

the linear velocity of an object experiencing rotational motion

rotational inertia

the property of an object to resist changes to its rotational motion

torque

a force acting at a distance from the axis of rotation which causes an object to rotate, an turning force

center of mass

the average position of all the mass that makes up an object

centripetal force

any force that acts toward a fixed center which causes an object to move in a circular path

What are two ways torque can be increased in order to rotate something?

1) increase the force

2) increase the lever arm

describe the path of a broom thrown in the air

1) center of mass follows a parabola

2) the broom rotates around the center of mass

What two things does rotational inertia depend on?

1) mass of the object

2) distribution of that mass relative to the axis of rotation

What two things do the size of a torque depend on?

1) size of the force

2) length of the lever arm