Rotational Kinematics

Definition

Rotational kinematics refers to the study of motion for objects that are rotating or undergoing rotational motion. It involves concepts such as angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration.

Analogy

Imagine a merry-go-round at a playground. The way it spins and how fast it accelerates or decelerates can be described using rotational kinematics. Just like how linear kinematics describes the motion of objects in a straight line, rotational kinematics focuses on describing the motion of objects in circular paths.

Related terms

Angular Displacement: Angular displacement measures the change in angle or position of an object undergoing rotation. It is usually measured in radians.

Angular Velocity: Angular velocity refers to how quickly an object rotates around a fixed axis. It is measured in radians per second.

Angular Acceleration: Angular acceleration represents how quickly an object's angular velocity changes over time. It is measured in radians per second squared.