Dynamics of Rotational Motion

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on dynamics of rotational motion, including torque, angular momentum, and principles related to gyroscopic motion.

Torque

A measure of the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis. It is calculated as the product of the force and the lever arm.

Angular Acceleration

The rate of change of angular velocity, typically represented by the symbol α (alpha).

Moment of Inertia

A property of a body that quantifies the distribution of mass relative to an axis of rotation, influencing the body's resistance to angular acceleration.

Conservation of Angular Momentum

The principle stating that if no external torque acts on a system, the total angular momentum of that system remains constant.

Precession

The phenomenon of a spinning object's axis of rotation changing direction, typically observed in gyroscopes.

Lever Arm

The perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line of action of the force applied.

Torque Vector

A vector quantity that represents the torque, having both a magnitude and direction.

Rotational Kinetic Energy

The kinetic energy due to the rotation of an object, given by the formula K = 1/2 Iω², where I is the moment of inertia and ω is the angular velocity.

Gyroscope

A device used to measure or maintain orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum and precession.

Angular Momentum

A vector quantity that represents the product of an object's moment of inertia and its angular velocity.

SI Unit for Torque

N \cdot m (Newton-meter)

SI Unit for Angular Acceleration

rad/s^2 (Radian per second squared)

SI Unit for Moment of Inertia

kg \cdot m^2 (Kilogram meter squared)

SI Unit for Lever Arm

m (Meter)

SI Unit for Rotational Kinetic Energy

J (Joule)

SI Unit for Angular Momentum

kg \cdot m^2/s (Kilogram meter squared per second)