Phys101Lec17B
Page 1: Introduction to Rotational Motion
Key topics:
Rotational Kinematics
Rotational Dynamics; Torque and Moment of Inertia
References: 9-1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Page 2: Angular Quantities
In rotational motion, points on the object move in circles around the axis of rotation (O).
Radius (R) of the circles is significant; all points along a line through the axis move through the same angle in the same time.
Angle (θ) in radians is defined as:
θ = l/R (where l is the arc length)
Sign convention:
for Counter-Clockwise (CCW)
for Clockwise (CW)
Relationship for one revolution:
l = 2πR (encodes 360° rotation)
Page 3: Angular Displacement and Velocity
Angular Displacement (Δθ): Δθ = θ2 - θ1
Average Angular Velocity (ω): ω = Δθ / Δt
Instantaneous Angular Velocity: ω = lim (Δθ/Δt) as Δt approaches 0
Page 4: Frequency and Period
Frequency (f) is the number of complete revolutions per second (unit: Hertz).
Period (T) is the time taken for one complete revolution.
Angular Velocity (ω in rad/sec): ω = 2πf (since there are 2π radians in a revolution).
Page 5: Angular Acceleration
Average Angular Acceleration (α): α = (ω2 - ω1) / Δt
Instantaneous Angular Acceleration: α = lim (dω/dt) as dt approaches 0
Page 6: Linear and Angular Velocities
Points further from the axis of rotation move faster than those closer to the axis.
Rotation relationship as angles measured in radians.
Page 7: Linear Accelerations
Changing angular velocity leads to tangential acceleration:
Tangential acceleration (at) = αR (R is radius)
Centripetal acceleration (
Centripetal acceleration (ac): ac = v^2/R
Total linear acceleration (a): a = √(at^2 + ac^2) (vector sum)
Page 8: Example - Carousel
A carousel has constant angular acceleration α = 0.060 rad/s² starting from rest for 8.0 s.
(a) Angular velocity (ω): ω = ω0 + αΔt = 0 + (0.060)(8.0) = 0.48 rad/s
(b) Linear velocity (v) of a child at R = 2.5 m: v = ωR = 0.48 × 2.5 = 1.2 m/s
(c) Tangential acceleration (at): at = αR = (0.060)(2.5) = 0.15 m/s²
(d) Centripetal acceleration (ac): ac = v²/R = (1.2²/2.5) = 0.58 m/s²
(e) Total linear acceleration (a): a = √(at² + ac²) = √(0.15² + 0.58²) = 0.60 m/s²
Page 9: Constant Angular Acceleration
Equations of motion for constant angular acceleration parallel those for linear motion, substituting angular quantities in.
Initial position is taken as zero.
Page 10: Example - Centrifuge Rotor
Centrifuge accelerated from rest to 20,000 rpm in 30 s.
(a) Average angular acceleration (α): α = Δω / Δt = (20000 RPM to rad/s: 20000 × 2π/60) / 30
(b) Revolutions made (θ) during acceleration:
θ = ω0t + 0.5αt², using Δω and Δt for calculation.
Page 11: Rotational Dynamics
Importance of long lever arms in rotating objects: a force is needed to initiate rotation.
Page 12: Torque
Torque (τ) is defined as the force applied at a distance (lever arm) from the axis of rotation:
Lever arm = perpendicular distance from the axis to the force line.
Page 13: Lever Arms and Forces
Example: Lever arms for different forces (FA, FD, FC) in a rotational system.
Importance of the location of force: Forces not shifted in free-body diagrams (FBD).
Page 14: Torque Calculation
Torque formula:
τ = R F⊥ = RF sin(θ)
Where F⊥ = F sin(θ) and R is the distance from the axis of rotation.
Page 15: Example - Torque on a Compound Wheel
Two disk-shaped wheels (RA = 30 cm, RB = 50 cm) | Forces of 50 N acting on each.
Calculate net torque using τ = - (FR_A sin θ_A + FR_B sin θ_B)
Page 16: Dynamics of Rotation
Tangential component of Newton’s second law applied to rotational systems.
Equation: τ = Iα, where I = moment of inertia (I = mR²).
Page 17: Moment of Inertia
Moment of inertia (I) = ∑ mR², an object's resistance to rotational motion.
Distribution of mass affects resistance, even with same mass.
Page 18: Summary of Rotational Dynamics
Summary of Newton’s Law for rotation: ∑τ = Iα
Importance of mass distribution and axis of rotation in the calculation of rotational inertia.
Page 19: Table of Moments of Inertia
Overview of common moments of inertia for various shapes:
Thin cylindrical shells, thin rods, solids, hollow cylinders, etc.
Page 20: Example - Atwood's Machine
Atwood machine setup with masses mA and mB connected by a pulley with moment of inertia (I).
Derivation for acceleration of masses.
Page 21: Continuation of Atwood's Machine Analysis
Forces acting on the masses and the relationship with torque and rotational motion derived from Newton's laws.