21. Two-Dimensional Rotational Dynamics

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Learning Objectives

  • Explain the rotational equivalent of Newton’s 2nd law in component form: the relation between net torque on an object, its moment of inertia and its angular acceleration.
  • Be able to explain that there are two possible models for describing rotational motion: conservation of energy and Newton’s 2nd law (τ = Iα), but only the latter model can be used to determine information about the object’s motion as a function of time.
  • Be able to apply and solve rotational equations to objects whose motion does not involve center-of-mass acceleration, such as a disk rotating about an axis through its center.

Preparation

Course Notes

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Notes: Two-Dimensional Rotational Dynamics (PDF - 4.1MB)

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Buy at Amazon Chapter 10.1-10.2, 10.4. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Lecture Video

Video Excerpts

Watch the following excerpts from the Physics I lecture videos:

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Download the complete lectures from this course:

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Learning Activities

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Slides: Two-Dimensional Rotational Dynamics (PDF - 3.3MB)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Concept Questions (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF - 2.1MB)

Problem Solving Help

In the following videos Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session 1

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/two-dimensional-rotational-motion/two-dimensional-rotational-dynamics/help-session-1/Ip83FGkiGRk.srt'}

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Help Session 2

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/two-dimensional-rotational-motion/two-dimensional-rotational-dynamics/help-session-2/l-f7wkkL20k.srt'}

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Help Session 3

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/two-dimensional-rotational-motion/two-dimensional-rotational-dynamics/help-session-3/BCMlz83W_5w.srt'}

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Help Session 4

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/two-dimensional-rotational-motion/two-dimensional-rotational-dynamics/help-session-4/KMRb1VF65f0.srt'}

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Help Session 5

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/two-dimensional-rotational-motion/two-dimensional-rotational-dynamics/help-session-5/yR3iWFus9qA.srt'}

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Related Resources

There are countless resources available online to help you learn physics. Try this:

  • Try out the Torque interactive simulation from PhET.

 

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