AP Physics C: Angular Momentum - 2/28/25

Gravitation

A force that attracts two bodies towards each other, dependent on their masses and the distance between them.

Kepler's Law

Three laws that describe the motion of planets around the sun, including their elliptical orbits.

Simple Harmonic Motion

A type of periodic motion in which an object oscillates around an equilibrium position.

Torque

A measure of the rotational force on an object, calculated as the force multiplied by the perpendicular distance from the pivot point.

Static Friction

Friction that prevents motion when an object is at rest; it is the friction that acts between surfaces that are not moving relative to each other.

Linear Momentum

The product of the mass and velocity of an object; it represents the quantity of motion the object possesses.

Angular Momentum

A measure of the amount of rotation an object has, taking into account its velocity and distribution of mass around the axis of rotation.

Moment of Inertia

A property of a body that determines the torque needed for a desired angular acceleration about a rotational axis.

Perpendicular Distance

The shortest distance from a point to a line; in torque calculations, it is the distance passed through the center of rotation at right angles to the line of action of the force.

Kinetic Energy

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion, calculated as half the mass times the velocity squared.

Force Diagram

A visual representation to show all the forces acting on an object, used to analyze motion and equilibrium.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity of an object, typically measured in meters per second squared.

Friction

The resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another, opposing motion.

Equilibrium

A state where all forces acting on an object are balanced, resulting in no net force and no acceleration.

Rolling Motion

The combination of rotational and translational motions occurring at the same time, characteristic of wheels.

Net Force

The sum of all forces acting on an object, determining the object's acceleration according to Newton's second law.

Angular Velocity

The rate of rotation of an object around an axis, measured in radians per second.

Derivation

The process of obtaining a formula or equation from fundamental principles, often through logical reasoning or calculation.

Component Forces

Forces that are resolved into perpendicular directions, often in the x and y axes for analysis.

Equation of Motion

Mathematical expressions that relate displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time for an object's motion.

Static vs. Kinetic Friction

Static friction occurs when an object is at rest, while kinetic friction occurs when an object is in motion.

Force of Gravity

The attractive force exerted by a mass, proportional to the mass of the object and the distance from the center of another mass.

Inclined Plane

A flat surface tilted at an angle to the horizontal, which can change the strength and direction of forces acting on an object.