🎡ap physics 1 review

Parallel axis theorem

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A theorem stating that the rotational inertia of a rigid system about any axis parallel to an axis through its center of mass equals the rotational inertia about the center-of-mass axis plus the product of the system's mass and the square of the perpendicular distance between the axes.

AP course connection

Topic 5.4: 5.4 Rotational Inertia

Unit 5