Angular position
Definition
Angular position is the orientation of a line with another line or plane in a rotational motion system, typically measured in radians. It specifies the angle at which an object is positioned relative to a reference axis.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- It is often denoted by the Greek letter $\theta$.
- The standard unit for measuring angular position is the radian.
- Angular position can be positive or negative depending on the direction of rotation.
- It serves as a basis for defining other rotational variables such as angular velocity and angular acceleration.
- In a circular motion, the angular position changes as the object rotates around a fixed axis.
Review Questions
- What symbol is commonly used to represent angular position?
- How is angular position different from linear position?
- In what units is angular position commonly measured?
"Angular position" appears in:
Related terms
Angular Velocity: The rate of change of angular position with respect to time, usually measured in radians per second ($\text{rad/s}$).
Angular Acceleration: The rate of change of angular velocity with respect to time, usually measured in radians per second squared ($\text{rad/s}^2$).
Moment of Inertia: A measure of an object's resistance to changes in its rotation, dependent on mass distribution relative to the axis.
