Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Angular speed refers to how fast an object is rotating or spinning around a fixed axis. It is measured in radians per second (rad/s).
Related terms
Tangential Speed: Tangential speed is the linear speed of an object moving along a circular path. It represents how fast an object is moving tangent to its circular path.
Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path. It always points towards the center of the circle and keeps the object on its curved trajectory.
Rotational inertia, also known as moment of inertia, measures an object's resistance to changes in its rotational motion. It depends on both the mass and distribution of mass around the axis of rotation.