A tag for questions about rotational motion, including angular velocity and angular acceleration.

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1answer
37 views

Problem with a rotating frame of reference on the South pole

Consider this problem: A high-speed train is traveling at a constant 150 m/s (about 300 mph) on a straight horizontal track across the south pole. Find the angle between a plumb line suspended ...
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1answer
29 views

Determine the velocity and acceleration of the vertex $B$

1) The bent rod $ABCD$ rotates about the line $AD$ whit a constant angular velocity of $90 rad / s$. Determine the velocity and acceleration of the vertex $B$ when the rod is in the position shown in ...
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1answer
71 views

In tennis, why does topspin serve bounce higher than flat serve?

When receiving servers (while playing tennis), I've noticed that the tennis ball seems to bounce up higher on me when the server uses a topspin serve than when the server hits a flat serve. Why is ...
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1answer
86 views

How is torque equal to moment of inertia times angular acceleration divided by g?

How is the following relation true $$\tau = \large\frac{I}{g} \times \alpha$$ where $\tau$ is torque, $I$ is moment of inertia, $g= 9.8ms^{-2}$, and $\alpha=$ angular acceleration.
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1answer
27 views

How to find time taken for a spinning top to stop? [closed]

The angular position of a spinning top is given by $\theta = t^3 - 72t$, where $t$ is in seconds and $\theta$ in "radian".
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1answer
81 views

Double Compound Pendulum: why use inertia about the center of mass for bottom pendulum?

I'm trying to wrap my head around the kinetic energy of a double compound pendulum, like the one shown in the Wikipedia article on double pendulums. I know for computing the kinetic energy of the ...
1
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1answer
37 views

interpreting aspects of rotational motion conceptually [closed]

Level - First Year Physics University I don't understand the concept of angular momentum, conceptually. What is it? if I were to explain it how would I go about doing that? without having to explain ...
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1answer
27 views

Asking about centrepetal acceleration

please look at the fig first 1) How can you claim that the triangle ABC is same as the triangle PQR? 2) How can you claim that the angle between V1 and V2 is same as the angle between AC and AB? ...
5
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2answers
219 views

Do we have any effect on the rotation of he earth?

We walk or ride on our vehicles to our destinations daily. Does our movement have any effect on the rotation of the earth according to Newton's law? What will be the effect if we move all the peoples ...
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2answers
96 views

Internal/Rotational angular momentum

I have some difficulties to understand the relation between the internal and the rotational angular momentum of a rigid body which is also known as König's theorem, so what physical intuition lies ...
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0answers
60 views

Magnitude of object's angular acceleration [closed]

I'm studying for a physics exam today and am super stumped on a problem. Would love your help, or some guidance on how to solve it. An object is being spun at an angular speed of 4.3 rad/s and ...
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2answers
250 views

3D: Get linear velocity from position and angular velocity

I want to find out the linear velocity of a point in 3D space, (Euclidean), given: Its position Its angular velocity The point it's rotating around (fulcrum) (This is a problem I need to solve ...
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2answers
135 views

Kinetic energy of a cylinder

It is a long cylinder (you can approx $R=0$), and it has a fixed point in one os its ending points, it's rotating on a plane and I have to calculate the kinetic energy from reference systems situated ...
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1answer
378 views

What is negative angular acceleration?

I was doing an exercise in physics and I noted that the angular acceleration was negative. What does that mean?
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0answers
65 views

Units and use of the formula of the angular acceleration? [closed]

Question: On my document, it is written: Angular acceleration: $$ \frac{d\omega}{dt}=r\times \alpha $$ What are the units please? What are $d \omega$, $dt$ and $r$? I already know that $\alpha$ is ...
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1answer
183 views

Non-commutative property of rotation

Addition of angles are non-commutative in three dimensions. Hence some other angular vector quantities like angular velocity, momentum become non-commutative. What is the physical significance of this ...
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2answers
232 views

Earth moves how much under my feet when I jump?

If I'm standing at the equator, jump, and land 1 second later, the Earth does NOT move 1000mph (or .28 miles per second) relative to me, since my velocity while jumping is also 1000mph. However, ...
3
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1answer
215 views

Why is the velocity on the top of a wheel twice the velocity of its axle?

When a wheel is rolling, not skidding, and its axle moves at velocity $\vec{v}$, then a point on the top of its circumference will move at velocity $2\vec{v}$, shown below. I really don't ...
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1answer
229 views

How does weight/mass affect angular momentum?

How does weight/mass affect angular momentum? For my 8th gr science fair project I have to do an experiment on angular momentum. My problem is that we have not been taught any of that in physics yet, ...
3
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1answer
206 views

Definition of angular velocity

I'm trying to follow the Feynman lectures and I'm stuck on a particular piece. Let me frame it for you before I ask my question. Nobody does it better than the author himself, we must find out how ...
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0answers
36 views

Calculate Rotational Intertia

If a can of soup, and a can of beans (tightly packed), are set in a race down a rough hill (has friction), the soup wins, because the inside of the can (soup) is not drawing energy from the system. ...
0
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1answer
140 views

Two Different Sorts of Inertia: Inertial Mass and Moment of Inertia

There are two different sorts of inertia: inertial mass and moment of inertia. I am currently reading about moment of inertia. Now, I know inertia is an important concept; with it, we can determine ...
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1answer
293 views

Finding Constant Angular Acceleration

The question is, "A centrifuge in a medical laboratory rotates at an angular speed of 3500 rev/min. When switched off, it rotates 46.0 times before coming to rest. Find the constant angular ...
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2answers
260 views

Vector Nature Of Angular Velocity

I am currently reading about angular position, angular velocity, and angular acceleration. I came across this paragraph that was particularly confusing, and was wondering if someone could perhaps help ...
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2answers
377 views

Applying angular velocity to a rotation matrix

I have a very simple question. In our project we store an object's orientation as a 3x3 matrix which holds the orthonormal base of that object's local space. For instance if the object is aligned with ...
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3answers
2k views

Finding Angular Acceleration of rod given radius and angle

A uniform rod is 2.0 m long. The rod is pivoted about a horizontal, frictionless pin through one end. The rod is released from rest at an angle of 30° above the horizontal. What is the angular ...
4
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1answer
106 views

Rotation of Spacetime => Change in orbit/path

Along the idea of frame-dragging; Will the rotation of a black hole, which has some velocity v and angular momentum, influence its path in 3D space? I've seen the fact that depending on the ...
0
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1answer
177 views

Determining friction for unbalanced wheel to roll without sliding

I'm trying to model a weighted wheel rolling without slipping. I understand that friction, by virtue of being an off-center force, affects both linear and angular acceleration. So my train-of-thought ...
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2answers
406 views

Does uniform circular motion occur in real life in a non horizontal plane?

I have a question about UCM, as I am studying it in my Physics course. I understand that Non-UCM experiences a tangential acceleration component, which is the result of changing speed along its ...
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2answers
216 views

Extracting acceleration vector from rotated aircraft

Suppose we have an aircraft with accelerometer measuring accelerations along each axis. It is mounted in a way so it is perpendicular to the plane in all axes (that should be obvious). We also have ...
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0answers
71 views

Energies decay in 3D homogeneous rotating turbulence

In three-dimensional rotating homogeneous turbulence governed by the hyper-viscous Navier-Stokes equation with an additional Coriolis force in a three-periodic setup: \begin{equation} ...
2
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1answer
198 views

Euler angle: space-fixed vs body-fixed axes

I am sooo confused!! Between active and passive, intrinsic and extrinsic, vectors and basis .... Stipulate that we stick to active rotations only. Then Standard derivation of $R(\alpha, ...
4
votes
1answer
135 views

Creating a fair 3 sided coin

I want to make a cylindrical three sided fair coin, with sides: heads, tails, and edge. What should the area of the edge be in relation to the area of the head of the coin? Assume it is all made of ...
2
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1answer
148 views

Relating angular and linear kinematics

In my physics book "University Physics", there is a chapter on relating linear and angular kinematics. I understand the parts where it shows $v = r\omega$ and $a_{\text{tan}} = r\alpha$. However in ...
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3answers
260 views

Do rotating bodies emit gravitational waves?

Suppose we have a cylinder of mass $m$, radius $R$ and height $h$ in rotation with speed $\omega$ around its symmetry axis with no friction (ideal situation). I'd expect this cylinder to emit ...
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1answer
1k views

What's the right way to calculate the principal moment of inertia?

I am writing a program that incorporates calculating the principal moment of inertia for a protein residue based on its component atom XYZ coordinates. I am exceedingly confused about which formulas ...
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2answers
300 views

motion in the body-fixed frame?

This is really basic, I'm sure: For rigid body motion, Euler's equations refer to $L_i$ and $\omega_i$ as measured in the fixed-body frame. But that frame is just that: fixed in the body. So how ...
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5answers
291 views

Why can mass not be considered concentrated at CM (center of mass) for rotational motion?

Could anyone explain the following expression: Why can mass not be considered concentrated at CM (center of mass) for rotational motion?
2
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1answer
291 views

Equations of motion for an inertial computer mouse

I'm struggling with a seemingly simple problem in 2D motion. It has been many years since I looked at basic kinematics and my mind seems to be too slow and confused now. Imagine we want to build a ...
2
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2answers
208 views

Piston movements in four stroke cycle?

I was reading about a four stroke cycle. Here's what I understood: In the first stroke, the piston starts at the top and moves down. In the second stroke, the piston moves upwards. In the third ...
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votes
3answers
1k views

Angular momentum equations

I do not understand this because angular momentum is $L=I\omega$ ($I$ is moment of inertia;$\omega$ is angular velocity) but it I have also seen equations where $L= rmv\sin(x)$. I do not understand ...
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1answer
313 views

How to get angular acceleration from spin count and angular velocity [closed]

It would be very good if someone explained me how do you get to the final answer which is already know (3.2 rad/s^2) Have been given: ω = 20 = angular velocity (rad/s) N = 10 full spins Need to find: ...
4
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4answers
925 views

Two axes for rotational motion

I understand that angular momentum is a vector, etc.. But, what really happens when some object, say a ball for example, is set to rotate along two axes? What would the resulting motion look like?
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2answers
266 views

Spin angular momentum of a system of particles : Is there any energy associated with it?

Consider a system of point particles , where the mass of particle $i$ is $μ_i$ and its position vector is $\vec{r}_i$. Let $\vec{r}_\text{cm}$ is the position vector of the center of mass of the ...
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2answers
500 views

What are the expressions for rotational and translational kinetic energies of a system of point particles?

Consider a system of point particles , where the mass of particle $i$ is $\mu_i$ and its position vector is $r_i$. What are the expressions for translational kinetic energy and rotational kinetic ...
2
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1answer
1k views

Merry go round physics problem?

So I have the following statement. "A merry-go-round is spinning with a fixed angular speed. As a person is walking towards the edge, the force of static friction must increase in order for the ...
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1answer
162 views

Finding stopping time when only given initial angular velocity and an expression for angular acceleration?

Question: A wheel starts is spinning at $27\text{ rad/s}$ but is slowing with an angular acceleration that has a magnitude given by $\alpha(t) = (3.0\;\mathrm{rad/s^4})t^2$. It stops in a time ...
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1answer
592 views

Hollow Wheels Down a Hill

Lets say I have a hoop of mass $M$ and radius $R$. It is rolling down a hill without slipping, so I don't need to worry about friction doing work on it. Lets say the angular speed is $\omega = ...
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2answers
213 views

Combined Translation and Rotation of a disk possible? material and references?

I am considering building a robot that can rotate and move at the same time. Since it's just a theoretical idea at the time and I need read up material, I thought I would ask here. I am thinking of a ...
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4answers
400 views

Why does a ping pong ball change direction when I spin it on a table?

When I spin a ping pong ball on the table, it rolls forward in the opposite direction of the spin, and then eventually changes direction and rolls backward. Here's a video demonstrating the effect. ...

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