Newton's Second Law for Rotation

Definition

Newton's second law for rotation states that the net torque acting on an object is equal to the moment of inertia times the angular acceleration. It relates the rotational motion of an object to the applied torques and its moment of inertia.

Related terms

Angular Acceleration:

Angular acceleration measures how quickly an object's angular velocity changes over time. It is directly proportional to the net torque applied and inversely proportional to the moment of inertia.

Center of Mass:

The center of mass represents a point within an object where all its mass can be considered concentrated. In rotational systems, it plays a crucial role in determining how forces and torques affect an object's motion.

Rotational Equilibrium:

Rotational equilibrium occurs when there is no net torque acting on an object, resulting in constant angular velocity or no rotation at all. It can be achieved when clockwise and counterclockwise torques balance each other out.