"A" Level Physics

Rotational Dynamics.

Introduction:
When considering the physics of rotating bodies we use the process of building an analogy.
First you identify the rotational quantities given and look for their linear equivalents then
choose a linear equation linking them and then write down the rotational equivalent. Students
should be completely familiar with the linear quantities and be able to write down their
rotational equivalents then write down a rotational equation by analogy.

Angular Displacement..
You will already have met the radian as a way of measuring angles. Recal that there are 2
radians in one complete rotation ie 360 so there are radians in 180 etc. Students should be
able to convert freely between the two sets of measurements.

Angular Quantities and Angular Equations.

Used when the angular acceleration is constant.

Linear Quantity
Mass (m)

Angular Equivalent

Kg

Time (t)......s
Displacement (s ) m
Initial velocity (u )

m/s

Final velocity (v )
Acceleration (a)

m/s
m/s2

Force (F)

Momentum (p) Kg m/s or Ns

Linear Equation

Rotational Equation

F = ma
v = u + at
s = ut + 1 a t2
2
2
v = u2 + 2 a s
p = mv
E = 1 m v 2 ..
2
p = mv
Ft = mv - mu
P =

F v

The links

v = r
s = r

Angular Speed.
Quite often the speed is given in revolutions per minute or revolutions per second. Students
should be able to convert easily between them.

Examples:
(1)

A disc of moment of inertia 5Kg m 2 is rotated from rest to a speed of 20rad / s in 10s.
What is the angular acceleration of the wheel and how much torque is required to
produce this acceleration ?

(2)

A flywheel (moment of Inertia 5Kg m 2 ), as shown below, is accelerated from rest by

applying a force of 20N to the rim of the wheel for 5s. Calculate
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

the angular acceleration of the wheel

its angular velocity after 5s
its kinetic energy after 5s.
how many rotations will it have done after 5s ?
how far would it turn is a force of 10N were applied to the
wheel once the accelerating torque had been removed.
(f) sketch a graph of angular velocity v time.
(3)

Sketch a graph of velocity v time for the above situation

3.1.3

I - The moment of Inertia

To accelerate a mass you have to apply a force, the bigger the mass the bigger the force.
Similarly to rotate an object you have to apply a Torque..the bigger the moment of inertia the
bigger the Torque required.
Q: What does I depend on ?
Consider the two people shown below. Each has the same mass, person A has more of their
mass close to the centre, person B has most of their mass towards their edge. Person B has a
bigger moment of inertia.

So moment of inertia depends on

(1)
(2)

The mass of the object.

The distribution of the mass.

Formal definition of I (not required for the examination)

Consider a body of mass M.
If this body is split up into smaller masses m 1, m2 etc
then the moment of inertia of the body is found by
I = m1r12 + m2r22 + m3r32......+

I = mr2

(hence units kgm2)

This can be found by integration (beyond the scope of this course).

The Principle of Conservation of Angular Momentum
N.B.

Check the principle of conservation of linear momentum

here for similar argument.

In the absence of any external torques

the total angular momentum before an event
Example:

the total angular momentum after the

event

An ice skaters rotating on a point pulls in their arms,

to go faster.

A Level Physics

1.

Convert the following angles from degrees to radians

45C

2.

3.

4.

180C

120C

A disc of moment is rotated from 2 rad / s to 20 rad / s in 5s.

(a)

Calculate the angular accelertion of the wheel

(b)

Calculate the angle in radians rotated

Convert the following speeds into rad/s.

(a)

4.

Rotational Motion.

50rev/s

(b)

60 rev / min

(c)

3000 rev / hour

A disc of moment of inertia 3Kg m2 is rotated from rest to a speed of

15rad / s in 5s.
(a)

What is the angular acceleration of the wheel ?

(b)

how much torque is required to produce this acceleration ?

(c)

if the disc has a radius of 20cm, what tangential focrce must be applied to
produce the above acceleration ?

(d)

how many complete rotations will the disc have made in 5s ?

(e)

how fast is the edge of the disc moving after 5s ?

A flywheel (moment of Inertia 4Kg m 2 ) and radius 10cm is accelerated from rest
by applying a force of 10N to the rim of the wheel for 6s. Calculate
(a)

the angular acceleration of the wheel

(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

its angular velocity after 6s

its kinetic energy after 6s.
how many rotations will it have done after 6s ?
how far would it turn if a force of 20N were applied to the
wheel once the accelerating torque had been removed.
sketch a graph of angular velocity v time.

3.1.2 Circular Motion Revisited

Remember

v2
r

but v = wr

(wr)2
r

w2r2
r

w2r