Rotational Kinetics

Terms and Formulae

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Terms and Formulae

Rotational motion

The motion of any object in which every part of the object rotates about a common axis in a circular path.
Angular displacement

The angle swept out by the circular motion of a particle. See definition of angular displacement
Radians

A unit of measuring an angle. The relation between radians and degrees is as follows:

1 revolution = 2Π radians = 360^o
Average angular velocity

The average rate at which an object rotates in a circular path. See formula.
Instantaneous angular velocity

The instantaneous rate at which an object rotates in a circular path. See formula.
Angular acceleration

The rate of change of angular velocity. See formula.
Right hand rule

The rule by which the direction of a rotational vector can be found: take your right hand, curl your fingers and stick your thumb straight up. If you let the curl of your fingers follow the path of the rotating particle or body, your thumb will point in the direction of the angular velocity of the body.