Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Rotational kinematics refers to the study of motion in a rotating system, specifically the relationships between angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration.
Angular Displacement: Angular displacement is the measure of the angle through which an object rotates or revolves. It represents the change in position or orientation of an object in a rotating system.
Angular Velocity: Angular velocity is the rate at which an object rotates or revolves around a fixed axis. It measures how quickly an object's angular position changes over time.
Angular acceleration is the rate at which an object's angular velocity changes over time. It represents how quickly an object's rotational speed increases or decreases.