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
Definition: The moment of inertia about the center of mass (I(com)) is a measure of an object's resistance to rotational motion. It depends on both the mass distribution and shape of the object.
Torque is the rotational equivalent of force. It causes objects to rotate around an axis and depends on both the force applied and the distance from the axis.
Angular Momentum: Angular momentum is a property that describes an object's tendency to keep rotating at a constant speed. It depends on both the moment of inertia and angular velocity.
Rotational Kinetic Energy: Rotational kinetic energy refers to the energy possessed by an object due to its rotation. It depends on both the moment of inertia and angular velocity.