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
Rigid bodies are objects that do not deform under applied forces; their shape remains constant even when subjected to external forces or torques.
Related terms
Center of mass: The center of mass is the average position of all the parts of a system, weighted according to their masses. It behaves as if all the mass were concentrated at that point.
Rotational motion: Rotational motion refers to the movement of an object around an axis, resulting in changes in its orientation or angular position.
Translational motion: Translational motion is the straight-line movement of an object from one point to another without any rotation.