Physics
Rotational Motion and Equilibrium
Chapter 8: Rotational Motion and Equilibrium
8.1 Rigid Bodies, Translation, and Rotation
8.2 Torque, Equilibrium, and Stability
8.3 Rotational Dynamics
PART 1
Introduction to Rotational Motion
• Rotational motion occurs when an object moves in a circular
path around a fixed axis. Unlike linear motion, where objects
travel in a straight line, rotational motion involves angular dis
placement, velocity, and acceleration.
Key Concepts:
1. Angular Displacement (θ): The angle through which
an object rotates, usually measured in radians.
2. Angular Velocity (ω): The rate at which an object rot
ates, defined as w, measured in radians per second.
3. Angular Acceleration (α): The rate of change of angu
lar velocity, given by α, measured in radians per seco
nd squared.
Rotational motion plays a crucial role in many aspects of dail
y life and technology. Here are some notable real-
world applications:
1. Vehicles and Transportation
Car Wheels & Gears: Cars rely on rotational motion for move
ment, with wheels rotating around their axles and gears trans
mitting torque.
Airplane Propellers & Jet Turbines: The rotation of propeller
s and turbines is essential for flight.
Bicycles: The rotational motion of pedals and wheels allows s
mooth movement.
2. Machines and Engineering
Generators & Turbines: Wind turbines and hydroelectric generators convert ro
tational motion into electrical energy.
Engines & Pistons: Internal combustion engines use rotational motion for
power generation.
3. Sports and Athletics
Spinning Balls: In sports like basketball, soccer, and tennis, rotational motion af
fects ball trajectory and spin
Gymnastics & Figure Skating: Athletes use rotational motion for flips, spins, an
d turns.
4. Space and Astronomy
Earth’s Rotation: The rotation of the Earth gives us day and night.
Planetary Orbits: The rotation of planets around their axes and their orbits ar
ound the Sun are fundamental to celestial mechanics.
5. Household and Everyday Life
Washing Machines & Fans: Both use rotational motion to function efficiently.
Clocks & Watches: The gears inside a clock depend on rotational motion to keep ti
me.
Drilling & Mixing Tools: From electric drills to kitchen blenders, rotation is key.
To describe rotational motion, we begin with the
angular position (in radians) measured relative to
an (arbitrary) reference angle.
The snapshots of the ball are
shown at fixed time intervals.
A change in angular position, , Note how the angular
displacement between images
during a time interval t implies a non- grows in time, implying an
zero angular acceleration >0.
average angular velocity
avg = / t
A change in angular velocity, ,
defines an average angular
acceleration
avg = / t
• Angles are measured in radians; a whole circle is
2π radians.
• Angular velocity is the rate of change of angular
position.
• Angular acceleration is the rate of change of
angular velocity.
• The angular velocity and acceleration can be
related to the linear velocity and acceleration.
PART 2
8.1: Rigid Bodies, Translation, and
Rotation
8.1 Rigid Bodies, Translation, and Rotation
Please Do Now
How do you think the tight-rope walkers are able to keep from falling?
Write three lines using full sentences.
8.1 Rigid Bodies, Translation, and Rotation
rigid body – an object or system of particles in which the distances between
particles are fixed and remain constant.
Solids can be considered to be rigid bodies for the purpose of analyzing
rotational motion.
Fluids are not considered to be rigid bodies.
translational motion – every particle in the object has the same instantaneous
velocity. There is no rotation.
Write two examples.
rotational motion – motion about a fixed axis. All the particles of an object have
the same instantaneous angular velocity and travel in circles about the axis of
rotation. Write two examples.
rigid body motion – is usually a combination of translational and rotational
motion. Write two examples.
8.2: Torque and Equilibrium
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
τ=rF
sinϕ
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
The sign convention for torques is as follows:
-The torque, which rotates or tends to rotate the body clockwise (CW), is
negative.
-The torque, which rotates or tends to rotate the body counterclockwise
(CCW), is positive.
• The SI unit of torque is the m·N (meter-newton).
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
Think of a real-world example of torque.
Turn and talk to your shoulder partner.
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
equilibrium – a state in which things are in balance or are stable.
translational equilibrium – the sum of the forces on a body is zero
• the body remains at rest or at constant velocity
• Fi = F1 + F2 + F3 + …. = 0
rotational equilibrium – the sum of torques on a body is zero
• τi = τ + τ 2 + τ 3 + …. = 0
• the body is rotationally at rest or rotates with a constant angular velocity
F F
The board is in translational The board is in translational but not
and rotational equilibrium. rotational equilibrium.
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
mechanical equilibrium – when the conditions for translational and rotational
equilibrium are satisfied.
τi = 0 (for rotational equilibrium)
Fi = 0 (for translational equilibrium)
static equilibrium – the condition that exists when a rigid body remains at rest
What are some examples of static translational equilibrium?
What are some examples of static rotational equilibrium?
Problem-Solving Hint: Use the convention counter-clockwise (ccw) is positive and
clockwise (cw) is negative.
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
Exit Ticket
Write at least (3) lines to answer the question:
How did Philippe Petit demonstrate torque,
translational and rotational equilibrium?
Turn in your ticket
when you are done.
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
Please Do Now
Answer the question:
What is torque? Describe it in your own words.
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
Example 8.1: The bolts on a car wheel require tightening to a torque of 90 m·N.
If a 20 cm long wrench is used, what is the magnitude of the force required
a) when the force is perpendicular to the wrench,
b) when the force is 35° to the wrench as shown.
c) Why does it need more force in (b) than in (a)?
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
Example 8.2: A uniform board of weight 40 N supports two children weighing 500 N
and 350 N, respectively. If the support is at the center of the board and the 500 N
child is 1.5 m from the center, what is the position of the 350 N child?
8.2 Torque and Equilibrium
Example 8.3: A 10 m long uniform beam weighing 100 N is supported by two ropes
at the ends as shown. If a 400 N person sits at 2.0 m from one end of the beam,
what are the tensions in the ropes?
8.2 Check for Understanding
1.
8.2 Check for Understanding
1.
8.2 Check for Understanding
2.
8.2 Check for Understanding
2.
8.2 Check for Understanding
3.
(Hint: Use worker A as the pivot point.)
8.2 Check for Understanding
3. a
