ROTATION OF RIGID BODIES

(Kinematics of Rotation)
Kinematics of Rotational Motion

Review : Linear to Angular and vice versa

s=rθ θ =s / r

v = rω ω=v/r

aT = rα α = aT / r

f=1/T

aR = rω2
 Kinematics of Rotational Motion
θ is in radians

Angular Displacement – change in angular position

Δθ

θ2 θ2

θ1 θ1 θ1

Δθ = θ2 – θ1
 Kinematics of Rotational Motion
θ is in radians

Angular Velocity – rate of angular displacement per unit time

Δθ

θ2 θ2

θ1 θ1 θ1

@ Time = t1 @ Time = t2 Δt = t2 - t1

Average Angular Velocity Instantaneous Angular Velocity

ω = Δθ /Δt ω(t) = dθ /dt

ω is in rad/s
 Kinematics of Rotational Motion
θ is in radians

Angular Acceleration – rate of change in angular velocity per unit

time
Δω = ω2 − ω1

ω2 θ2

ω1 θ1 θ1

@ Time = t1
@ Time = t2 Δt = t2 - t1
Average Angular Velocity Instantaneous Angular Velocity

α = Δω /Δt α(t) = dω /dt

α is in rad/s2
 Kinematics of Rotational Motion
θ is in radians

Rotational Motion Kinematics Equation :

NOTE : the angular acceleration MUST BE constant, for us to use
these equations

Δθ = ωOt + ½ αt2
ωF = ωO + αt
ωF2 = ωO2 + 2α(Δθ)
 Sample Problems : Kinematics of Rotational Motion

1. A bicycle wheel turns with constant angular acceleration of 0.64 rad/s2 :

a) How much time does it take to reach an angular velocity of 8 rad/sec starting
from rest?
b) How many revolutions does the wheel turn in this time interval?
Answers :
a) t = 12.5 sec b) ≈ 8 revolutions
 Sample Problems : Kinematics of Rotational Motion

2. A flywheel of radius 30 cm starts from rest and accelerates with constant α = 0.5 rad/s2
Compute the tangential acceleration, the radial acceleration and resultant of a point
on its rim.
a) @ the start
b) after it has turned through 120°
c) after it has turned through 240°

Answers :
a) aT = 15 cm/s2 , aR = 0 , a = 15 cm/s2
b) aT = 15 cm/s2 , aR = 62.83 cm/s2 , a = 64.6 cm/s2
c) aT = 15 cm/s2 , aR = 125.66 cm/s2 , a = 126.56 cm/s2
 Sample Problems : Kinematics of Rotational Motion

3. A bicycle tire rotates with an angular velocity that is given by :

ω(t) = 4 rad/s – (0.8 rad/s3) t2
a) Calculate the average angular acceleration for the time intervals :
a.1) t1 = 0 to t2 =1 sec a.2) t1 = 0 to t2 =2 sec
b) Calculate the instantaneous angular acceleration for t = 1sec and t = 2 sec

Answers :
a.1 ) α = -0.8 rad/s2 a.2) α = -1.6 rad/s2
b.1) α(1) = −1.6 rad/s2 b.2) α(2) = −3.2 rad/s2
 Sample Problems : Kinematics of Rotational Motion

4. A merry-go-round is being pushed by a child. The angle the merry-go-round has turned
through varies with time according to :
θ(t) = (3 rad/s)t + (0.05 rad/s3)t3
a) Calculate the average angular velocity for the time intervals :
a.1) t1 = 0 to t2 = 2 sec a.2) t1 = 0 to t2 = 5 sec

b) Calculate the instantaneous angular velocity for t = 2 sec and t = 5 sec

Answers :
a.1 ) ω = 3.2 rad/s a.2) ω = 4.25 rad/s
b.1) ω(2) = 3.6 rad/s b.2) ω(5) = 6.75 rad/s