| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| angular acceleration | The rate of change of angular velocity with respect to time. |
| angular displacement | The measurement of the angle, in radians, through which a point on a rigid system rotates about a specified axis. |
| angular velocity | The rate at which an object or system rotates, measured as the change in angular position per unit time. |
| axis of rotation | The fixed line about which a system rotates. |
| center of mass | The point in a system where all the mass can be considered to be concentrated for the purpose of analyzing motion and forces. |
| constant angular acceleration | A situation in which angular velocity changes at a uniform rate over time. |
| rigid system | A system that holds its shape but in which different points on the system move in different directions during rotation. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| angular acceleration | The rate of change of angular velocity with respect to time. |
| angular displacement | The measurement of the angle, in radians, through which a point on a rigid system rotates about a specified axis. |
| angular velocity | The rate at which an object or system rotates, measured as the change in angular position per unit time. |
| axis of rotation | The fixed line about which a system rotates. |
| linear motion | Motion along a straight path, characterized by displacement, velocity, and acceleration in one dimension. |
| rigid system | A system that holds its shape but in which different points on the system move in different directions during rotation. |
| rotational motion | Motion of an object or system rotating about a fixed axis, characterized by angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration. |
| tangential acceleration | The component of linear acceleration directed along the tangent to the circular path of a rotating point, related to angular acceleration by a_T = rα. |
| tangential velocity | The linear velocity of a point on a rotating system directed along the tangent to its circular path, related to angular velocity by v = rω. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| axis of rotation | The fixed line about which a system rotates. |
| force component perpendicular | The portion of an applied force that acts at a right angle to the position vector from the axis of rotation. |
| force diagram | A diagram used to represent and analyze the forces and torques exerted on a rigid system, showing the magnitude, direction, and point of application of each force relative to the axis of rotation. |
| free-body diagram | A visual representation that shows all forces exerted on an object or system, with each force drawn as a vector originating from the object's center of mass. |
| lever arm | The perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line of action of an applied force. |
| line of action | The straight line along which a force acts, extending infinitely in both directions. |
| perpendicular force | The component of a force that is perpendicular to the position vector, which directly contributes to torque production. |
| position vector | A vector drawn from the axis of rotation to the point where a force is applied on a rigid system. |
| rigid system | A system that holds its shape but in which different points on the system move in different directions during rotation. |
| torque | A measure of the rotational effect of a force on a rigid system, calculated as the product of the force and its perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| axis of rotation | The fixed line about which a system rotates. |
| center of mass | The point in a system where all the mass can be considered to be concentrated for the purpose of analyzing motion and forces. |
| mass distribution | The spatial arrangement of mass within a system relative to a reference point or axis, which affects the system's rotational inertia. |
| parallel axis theorem | A theorem that relates the rotational inertia of a rigid system about any axis parallel to an axis through its center of mass, expressed as I' = I_cm + Md². |
| perpendicular distance | The shortest distance from a point or object to the axis of rotation, measured at a right angle to the axis. |
| rigid system | A system that holds its shape but in which different points on the system move in different directions during rotation. |
| rotational inertia | A measure of a rigid system's resistance to changes in its rotational motion, dependent on both the mass of the system and how that mass is distributed relative to the axis of rotation. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| angular velocity | The rate at which an object or system rotates, measured as the change in angular position per unit time. |
| force diagram | A diagram used to represent and analyze the forces and torques exerted on a rigid system, showing the magnitude, direction, and point of application of each force relative to the axis of rotation. |
| free-body diagram | A visual representation that shows all forces exerted on an object or system, with each force drawn as a vector originating from the object's center of mass. |
| net torque | The sum of all torques acting on an object or system, which determines whether angular velocity will change. |
| rigid system | A system that holds its shape but in which different points on the system move in different directions during rotation. |
| rotational equilibrium | A state in which a system maintains constant angular velocity because the net torque exerted on it is zero. |
| torque | A measure of the rotational effect of a force on a rigid system, calculated as the product of the force and its perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation. |
| translational equilibrium | A state in which an object's linear velocity remains constant because the net force exerted on it is zero. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| angular acceleration | The rate of change of angular velocity with respect to time. |
| angular velocity | The rate at which an object or system rotates, measured as the change in angular position per unit time. |
| net torque | The sum of all torques acting on an object or system, which determines whether angular velocity will change. |
| rigid system | A system that holds its shape but in which different points on the system move in different directions during rotation. |
| rotational inertia | A measure of a rigid system's resistance to changes in its rotational motion, dependent on both the mass of the system and how that mass is distributed relative to the axis of rotation. |