Senior High School

General Physics 1
Quarter 2 – Supplementary Materials
Rotational Kinematics

Engr. Jeoffna Ruth C. Dasigo

Physics Teacher
 General Physics 1
Supplementary Material – Rotational Kinematics

What I Need to Know

Learning Competencies:
1. Calculate the moment of inertia about a given axis of single-object and multiple-object systems.
STEM_GP12REDIIa-1
2. Calculate magnitude and direction of torque using the definition of torque as a cross product.1
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3. Describe rotational quantities using vectors. STEM_GP12REDIIa-4
4. Determine whether a system is in static equilibrium or not. STEM_GP12REDIIa-5
5. Apply the rotational kinematic relations for systems with constant angular accelerations.
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6. Determine angular momentum of different systems. STEM_GP12REDIIa-9
7. Apply the torque-angular momentum relation. STEM_GP12REDIIa-10
8. Solve static equilibrium problems in contexts but not limited to see-saws, cable-hinge-strut
system, leaning ladders, and weighing a heavy suitcase using a small bathroom scale.
STEM_GP12REDIIa-8

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Calculate the moment of inertia about a given axis of single-object and multiple-object systems.
2. Calculate magnitude and direction of torque using the definition of torque as a cross product.
3. Describe rotational quantities using vectors.
4. Determine whether a system is in static equilibrium or not.
5. Apply the rotational kinematic relations for systems with constant angular accelerations.
6. Determine angular momentum of different systems.
7. Apply the torque-angular momentum relation.
8. Solve static equilibrium problems in contexts but not limited to see-saws, cable-hinge-strut
system, leaning ladders, and weighing a heavy suitcase using a small bathroom scale.

Lesson 1: Moment of Inertia

What Is It?
Moment of inertia is defined as the quantity expressed by the body resisting angular acceleration
which is the sum of the product of the mass of every particle with its square of a distance from the axis of
rotation. Or in more simple terms, it can be described as a quantity that decides the amount of torque
needed for a specific angular acceleration in a rotational axis. Moment of Inertia is also known as the
angular mass or rotational inertia. The SI unit of moment of inertia is kg-m2.
Moment of inertia is usually specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation. It mainly depends
on the distribution of mass around an axis of rotation. MOI varies depending on the axis that is chosen.

In General form Moment of Inertia is expressed as

𝐼 = 𝑚𝑟 2
where:
m = Sum of the product of the mass.
r = Distance from the axis of the rotation.
I = ∫dI = ∫0 Mr2 dm

The dimensional formula of the moment of inertia is given by, M1 L2 T0.

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 1

 The role of the moment of inertia is the same as the role of mass in linear motion. It is the
measurement of the resistance of a body to a change in its rotational motion. It is constant for a particular
rigid frame and a specific axis of rotation.
Moment of inertia, I = ∑mi ri2 (1)
Kinetic Energy, K = ½ I ω2 (2)

What’s More?

A. Moment of Inertia of a System of Particles

The moment of inertia of a system of particles is given by,
I = ∑ mi ri2 [from equation (1)]
where ri is the perpendicular distance from the axis to the ith particle which has mass m i.

Example:
1. Four particles each of mass m are kept at the four corners of a square of edge a. Find the moment
of inertia of the system about a line perpendicular to the plane of the square and passing through
the center of the square.

Solution:
𝑎
The perpendicular distance of every particle from the given line is .
√2
The moment of inertia of one particle is, therefore,
𝑎 2
𝐼 = 𝑚𝑟 2 = 𝑚 ( )
√2
1 2
𝐼 = 𝑚𝑎
2
The moment of inertia of the system is, therefore,
1
𝐼𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 = 4 𝑥 𝑚𝑎2 = 2𝑚𝑎2
2
2. Two balls connected by a rod, as shown in the figure below (Ignore rod’s mass). Mass of ball X is
700 grams, and the mass of ball Y is 500 grams. What is the moment of inertia of the system
about AB?

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 2

Solution:

The given values are:

The rotation axis is AB
mX = 700 grams = 0.7 kg
mY = 500 grams = 0.5 kg
rX = 10cm = 0.1m
rY = 40cm = 0.4m

To solve:
𝐼 = 𝑚𝑥 𝑟𝑥2 + 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑦2 (Equation 1)
Substituting the given,
𝐼 = [0.7 (0.1)2 ] + [0.5(0.4)2 ]
𝐼 = 0.007 + 0.08
𝐼 = 0.087 𝑘𝑔 ∙ 𝑚2

B. Moment of Inertia of the Disc

1. From a uniform circular disc of radius R and mass 9 M,
a small disc of radius R/3 and mass m is removed as
shown in the figure. Calculate the moment of inertia of
the remaining disc about an axis perpendicular to the
plane of the disc and passing through the center of the
disc.
Solution:
The moment of inertia of the complete disc about an axis
perpendicular to the plane of the disc and passing through the center
of the disc is given by
1
𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐 = 𝑚𝑅 2
2
1 9𝑚𝑅2
So, 𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐 = (9𝑚)(𝑅 2 ) =
2 2
The moment of inertia of removed part about the axis passing through the center of mass and
perpendicular to the plane of the disc
𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 = 𝐼𝑐𝑚 + 𝑚𝑑 2
1
𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 = [ 𝑚𝑅 2 ] + 𝑚𝑑 2
2
So,
𝑅 2
[𝑚 𝑥 ( ) ] 4𝑅 2
3
𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 = +𝑚[ ]
2 9
1 𝑚𝑅 2 4𝑅 2 𝑚𝑅 2
𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 = [ ( )] + 𝑚 [ ]=
2 9 9 2

To solve the problem, the moment of inertia of the remaining portion = moment of inertia of the
complete disc – moment of inertia of the removed portion.

In equation,
𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝐼𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐 − 𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑
9𝑚𝑅 2 𝑚𝑅 2 8𝑚𝑅 2
𝐼= − =
2 2 2
Finally, the moment of inertia of the remaining portion,
𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 4𝑚𝑅 2

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 3

 What I Have Learned
Activity 1.1.1 Solve the given problem and show your solution.

1. Four particles each of mass m are kept at the four corners of a square of edge 2a. Find the moment
of inertia of the system about a line perpendicular to the plane of the square and passing through
the center of the square.
2. Two balls connected by a rod, as shown in the figure below (Ignore rod’s mass). Mass of ball X is
780 grams, and the mass of ball Y is 550 grams. What is the moment of inertia of the system
about AB?
3. From a uniform circular disc of radius R and mass 10 M, a small disc of radius R/3 and mass 2m
is removed as shown in the figure. Calculate the moment of inertia of the remaining disc about an
axis perpendicular to the plane of the disc and passing through the center of the disc.

Lesson 2: Rotational Kinematics

What Is It?
Kinematics is the description of motion. The kinematics of rotational motion describes the
relationships among rotation angle, angular velocity, angular acceleration, and time. It is concerned with
the description of motion without regard to force or mass. In this lesson, we are going to define the
rotational quantities and explain how to solve them.

A. Axis of Rotation
The axis of rotation is defined as the straight line through all
fixed points of a rotating rigid body around which all other points of
the body move in circles. If you were to spin the wheel around its
center, the axis of rotation (axle) would be pointing perpendicular to
the motion of the wheel.

B. Angular Displacement
Angular displacement is defined as “the angle in radians
(degrees, revolutions) through which a point or line has been rotated
in a specified sense about a specified axis”. It is the angle of the
movement of a body in a circular path.

It can be measured by using a simple formula. The formula is:

𝑠
𝜃=
𝑟
where:
θ is the angular displacement,
s is the distance travelled by the body, and
r is the radius of the circle along which it is moving

In simpler words, the displacement of object is the distance travelled by it around the
circumference of a circle divided by its radius.

Examples:
1. An object travels around a circle10.0 full turns in 2.5 seconds. Calculate (a) the angular
displacement, θ in radians.
We are given:
Number of turns/complete rotations = 10 turns

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 4

 Time = 2.5 seconds

*Note that 1 complete rotation = 3600 = 2π radians = 6.28 rad

Solution:
6.28 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝜃 = 10 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 ( ) = 62.8 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛

2. A girl goes around a circular track that has a diameter of 12 m. If she runs around the entire track
for a distance of 100 m, what is her angular displacement?
We are given:
Diameter of the curved path = 12m ;
*Note that diameter = 2r therefore,
𝑑 12𝑚
r = so, r= = 6m
2 2
Linear displacement, s = 100 m.

Solution:
𝑠 100𝑚
𝜃= = = 16.67 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝑟 6𝑚

C. Angular Velocity
Angular velocity is a vector quantity and is described as the rate of change of angular
displacement which specifies the angular speed or rotational speed of an object and the axis about which
the object is rotating. The amount of change of angular displacement of the particle at a given period of
time is called angular velocity.
𝑑𝜃
𝜔=
𝑑𝑡
where:
𝑑𝜃 is the change in angular displacement
𝑑𝑡 is the change in time

Relationship Between Angular Velocity and Linear Velocity

The Angular Velocity and Linear Velocity is articulated by the formula
𝑣
𝜔=
𝑟
where:
v is the linear velocity
r is the radius of the circular path

Angular velocity is articulated in radian per second (rad/s). Angular Velocity formula is used to
compute the angular velocity of any moving body.

Examples:
1. Calculate the angular velocity of a particle moving along the straight line given by θ = 3t3 + 6t +
2 when t = 5s.
We are given:
θ = 3t3 + 6t + 2
t=5s
The angular velocity is given by
𝑑𝜃
𝜔= = 9𝑡 2 + 6
𝑑𝑡

𝜔 = 9(5 𝑠)2 + 6
𝜔 = 231 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 5

 2. If an object travels around a circle with an angular displacement of 70.8 radians in 3.0 seconds,
what is its average angular velocity ω in (rad/s)?
We are given:
dθ = 70.8 rad
dt = 3 s
Solution:
𝑑𝜃 70.8 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝜔= = = 23.6
𝑑𝑡 3.0 𝑠 𝑠

3. A bicycle wheel with a radius of 0.28 m starts from rest and accelerates at a rate of 3.5 rad/s 2 for
8.0 s. What is its final angular velocity?
We are given:
r = 0.28 m
α = 3.5 rad/s2
t=8s
𝜔
Solution: From the equation 𝛼 = , we can have
𝑡
𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝜔 = 𝛼𝑡 = 3.5 2
(8.0 𝑠) = 28
𝑠 𝑠

D. Angular Acceleration
It is the rate of change of angular velocity with a
time of an object in motion. Acceleration is the change in
velocity of a moving object with respect to time. If the object
moves on a circular direction than its velocity is called
angular velocity.

The angular acceleration formula is given by,

𝑑𝜔 𝜔2 − 𝜔1
𝛼= =
𝑑𝑡 𝑡2 − 𝑡1
where:
𝜔 is the angular velocity
t is the time taken

Angular acceleration is denoted by α and is expressed in the units of rad/s2 or radians per second square.

Examples:
1. An ant is sitting at the edge of a rotating circular disc. It’s angular velocity changes at the rate of
60 rad/s for 10 seconds. Calculate its angular acceleration during this time?
We are given:
The change in angular velocity is equal to dω = 60 rad/s.
The time taken for this change to occur is equal to t = 10s.

Using the formula for angular acceleration and substituting the above values, we get,
𝑑𝜔 60 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝛼= = = 6.0 2
𝑑𝑡 10 𝑠 𝑠

2. The rear wheel of a motorcycle has an angular acceleration of 20 rad/s2 in a second. What is its
angular velocity?
We are given:
The angular acceleration of the wheel is equal to α = 10 rad/s2,
Time taken t = 1 s,

Upon substituting the values to the formula for angular acceleration, we get,

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 6

 𝑑𝜔
120 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠2 =
1.0 𝑠
𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝑑𝜔 = 20
𝑠

What I Have Learned

Activity 1.2.1 Solve the given problems and show your solution.

1. Hadji bought a pizza of a radius of 0.5 m. A fly lands on the pizza and walks around the edge for
a distance of 80 cm. Calculate the angular displacement of the fly?
2. Carlo goes around a circular track that has a diameter of 7 m. If he runs around the entire track for
a distance of 50 m, what is his angular displacement?
3. A ball on a string is rotating clockwise and it covers 15 radians in 3 seconds. What is its angular
velocity?
4. A merry-go-round is rotating counterclockwise. It makes 8 revolutions in 15 seconds. What is its
angular velocity?
5. How many revolutions does a turntable rotate through if it is moving at 42 rad/s and has been
turning for 5 minutes?
6. A disc in a DVD player starts from rest, and when the user presses “Play”, it begins spinning. The
disc is spins at 160 radians/s after 4.0 s. What was the average angular acceleration of the disc?
7. A car tire is turning at a rate of 5.0 rad/s as it travels along the road. The driver increases the car's
speed, and as a result, each tire's angular speed increases to 8.0 rad /s in 6.0 s. Find the angular
acceleration of the tire.

Lesson 3: Torque
What Is It?
Torque, also called moment of a force, in physics, the tendency of a force to rotate the body to
which it is applied. Just as force is what causes an object to accelerate in linear kinematics, torque is what
causes an object to acquire angular acceleration.
Torque is a vector quantity. The direction of the torque vector depends on the direction of the
force on the axis.

Anyone who has ever opened a door has an intuitive understanding of torque. When a person
opens a door, they push on the side of the door farthest from the hinges. Pushing on the side closest to the
hinges requires considerably more force. Although the work done is the same in both cases (the larger
force would be applied over a smaller distance) people generally prefer to apply less force, hence the
usual location of the door handle.

Figure 1.2.1 Opening a door with maximum torque.

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 7

What’s New?
Activity 1.3.1 Investigating Torque!
Perform the following tasks to have a preliminary observation on the relationship between torque
to the distance of application and angle of rotation. To do this, apply an estimated constant force to the
labelled points to rotate the object and rank the ease of rotation from easiest to hardest.

Copy the table on your notebook and write your answer.

From the results obtained and observed, deduce the relationship of the following:

A. Torque vs the Distance of Application

B. Torque vs the Angle of Application

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 8

What’s More?
The magnitude of the torque vector 𝜏 for a torque produced by a given force F is
𝜏 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
where r is the length of the moment arm and θ is the angle between the force vector and the moment arm.

In the case of the door shown in Figure 1.2.1, the force is at right angles (90°) to the moment arm,
so the sine term becomes 1 and
𝜏 = 𝐹∙𝑟
The unit of torque is Newton–meter (N-m). The above equation can be represented as the vector
product of force and position vector.
So, as it is a vector product hence torque also must be a vector. Using vector product notations we
can find the direction of torque. We will consider an example to see how to calculate torque.

Examples:
1. Let us consider the situation given below:

In the above diagram, we can see that:

F = 5N
r = 4m
sinθ = 30°
Putting these values into our formula we have,
𝜏 = (5𝑁)(4𝑚)(𝑠𝑖𝑛30°)
𝜏 = 10 𝑁 − 𝑚

2. Consider the wheel shown in the figure below, acted on by two forces. What magnitude of the
force F2, will be required for the wheel to be in rotational equilibrium?

Solution:
We begin by finding the torque 𝜏1 due to F1.
𝜏1 = (5𝑁)(0.075𝑚)(𝑠𝑖𝑛135°)
𝜏1 ≅ +0.265 𝑁 − 𝑚

Note that here we are defining positive torque in the direction out of the page. We know that in
rotational equilibrium
𝜏1 + 𝜏2 = 0

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 9

 0.265𝑁 + 𝜏2 = 0
𝜏2 ≅ 0.265𝑁

So,
𝜏2 = −𝐹2 (0.1𝑚)(𝑠𝑖𝑛90°)
0.265𝑁
= −𝐹2
(0.1𝑚)(1)
Therefore,
𝐹2 ≅ 2.65 𝑁

3. A crane has an arm length of 20m inclined

at 30o with the vertical. It carries a
container of mass of 2 ton suspended from
the top end of the arm. Find the torque
produced by the gravitational force on the
container about the point where the arm is
fixed to the crane. [Given: 1 ton = 1000
kg; neglect the weight of the arm. g = 10
m/s2]
Solution:
The force F at the point of suspension is
due to the weight of the hanging mass.
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑔
1000𝑘𝑔 𝑚
𝐹 = (2 𝑇𝑜𝑛 𝑥 ) (9.8 2 )
1 𝑇𝑜𝑛 𝑠
= 19600𝑁

The angle (θ) between the arm length (r) and the force (F) is, θ = 150o. The torque (τ) about the fixed
point of the arm is,

𝜏 = 𝑟𝐹𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜏 = (20𝑚)(19600𝑁)(𝑠𝑖𝑛150°)
𝜏 = 196,000 𝑁 − 𝑚

4. Consider the door shown in the figure, which is seen from an aerial view. The circle on the
left is the hinge (pivot point).
a. Find the Net Torque acting on the door.
b. Which way will the door open, up or down?

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 10

Solution:
a. 𝜏𝑛𝑒𝑡= 𝜏1+𝜏2+𝜏3+𝜏4

𝜏1 = 𝑟𝐹1𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = (0)(60𝑁)𝑠𝑖𝑛90 = 0
𝜏2 = 𝑟𝐹2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = (0.20𝑚)(50𝑁)𝑠𝑖𝑛90 = 10𝑁𝑚
𝜏3 = 𝑟𝐹3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = (0.2𝑚+0.6𝑚)(70𝑁)𝑠𝑖𝑛90 = 56𝑁𝑚
𝜏4 = 𝑟𝐹4𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = (0.2𝑚+0.6𝑚+0.2𝑚)(80𝑁)𝑠𝑖𝑛30 = 40𝑁𝑚

Before adding the torque, determine their corresponding direction according to the rotation of the door.
𝜏1 has no rotation since the torque is zero
𝜏2 and 𝜏4: pulling the door upward would make it rotate in the CCW direction (+)
𝜏3: pulling the door downward would make it rotate in the CW direction (-)

𝜏𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0 + 10𝑁𝑚 + (−56𝑁𝑚) + 40𝑁𝑚

𝜏𝑛𝑒𝑡=-6 N-m
b. Since the result of the net torque is negative, this means that the door will rotate in the clockwise or
downward direction.

What I Have Learned

Activity 1.3.2 Solve the given problems and show your solution.

1. Let us consider the situation given below:

2. Consider the wheel shown in example 2, acted on by two forces. What magnitude of the
force F2, will be required for the wheel to be in rotational equilibrium, if F1=8N?

3. A crane, shown in example 3, has an arm length of 25 m inclined at 30o with the vertical. It carries
a container of mass of 3 ton suspended from the top end of the arm. Find the torque produced by
the gravitational force on the container about the point where the arm is fixed to the crane.

4. Consider the door shown in the figure, which is seen from an aerial view. The circle on the
left is the hinge (pivot point).
a. Find the Net Torque acting on the door.
b. Which way will the door open, up or down?

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 11

Lesson 4: Static Equilibrium
What Is It?
Static equilibrium refers to the physical state in which a system’s components are at rest and the
net force is zero through the system. It takes place when all the forces acting on an object are balanced,
and the object is not in motion in relation to the relative plane.
An object which is in static equilibrium is unable to move. This is because all the forces which act
on it compensate for one another. This concept is quite important in the design of rigid structures.
These rigid structures range from floor system of a house to a massive suspension bridge.
Moreover, these rigid structures must maintain static equilibrium under all loading conditions.

For an object to maintain in static equilibrium, the following conditions must be met:
1. The net force acting on the object must be zero: Σ𝐹 =0
2. The net torque acting on the object must be zero: Σ𝜏=0

Example:
1. A 0.15kg meterstick is supported at the 50cm mark. A mass of 0.5kg is attached at the 80cm
mark.
a. How much mass should be attached to the 40cm mark to keep the meterstick horizontal?
b. Determine the supporting force from the fulcrum on the meterstick.

a. From the 2nd condition of Equilibrium:

Σ𝜏=0 → 𝜏1+𝜏2=0

Where:
𝜏1 is the torque caused by the force exerted by mass m,
𝜏2 is the torque caused by the force exerted by the 0.5kg mass

Hanging mass m would cause the stick to rotate in the CCW direction, thus 𝜏1 is (+)
Hanging the 0.5 kg-mass would cause the stick to rotate in the CW direction, thus 𝜏2 is (-)

Solution:
Σ𝜏 = 𝜏1−𝜏2 = (𝑟1𝐹1𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) − (𝑟2𝐹2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = 0
where 𝐹 = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝑚𝑔
Σ𝜏 = [(0.10𝑚)(𝑚)(9.8𝑚/𝑠2)𝑠𝑖𝑛90] − [(0.30𝑚)(0.5𝑘𝑔)(9.8𝑚/𝑠2)𝑠𝑖𝑛90] = 0
(0.98𝑚2/𝑠2)𝑚 − 1.47𝑁𝑚 = 0
1.47 𝑁
𝑚= = 1.5 𝑘𝑔
𝑚2
0.98 2
𝑠

b. From the 1st condition of Equilibrium:

∑ 𝐹⃗ = 0 = 𝐹⃗1 + 𝐹⃗2 + 𝐹⃗𝑚 + 𝐹⃗𝑓 = 0
where:
𝐹⃗1 is 𝑤=𝑚1𝑔 is the downward force due to mass 𝑚1=1.5𝑘𝑔
𝐹⃗2 is 𝑤=𝑚2𝑔 is the downward force due to mass 𝑚2=0.5𝑘𝑔

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 12

𝐹⃗𝑚 is 𝑤=𝑚𝑔 is the downward force due to the mass of the meterstick
𝐹⃗𝑓 is the upward force exerted by the fulcrum to support the weight of the meterstick and mass.

Solution:
∑ 𝐹⃗ = 0 = 𝐹⃗1 + 𝐹⃗2 + 𝐹⃗𝑚 + 𝐹⃗𝑓 = 0
−𝐹⃗1 − 𝐹⃗2 − 𝐹⃗𝑚 + 𝐹⃗𝑓 = 0
−(𝑚1 𝑔) − (𝑚2 𝑔) − (𝑚𝑔) + 𝐹⃗𝑓 = 0
9.8𝑚 9.8𝑚 9.8𝑚
𝐹⃗𝑓 = (1.5𝑘𝑔) ( 2 ) + (0.5𝑘𝑔) ( 2 ) + (0.15𝑘𝑔) ( 2 )
𝑠 𝑠 𝑠
𝐹⃗𝑓 = 21.07 𝑁

What I Have Learned

Activity 1.4.1 Solve the given problems and show your solution.

1. Three masses are attached to a uniform meter stick, as shown. The mass of the meter stick is
165.0 g and the masses to the left of the fulcrum are m 1=60.0g and m2=95.0g. Find the mass m3
that balances the system when it is attached at the right end of the stick, and the normal reaction
force at the fulcrum when the system is balanced.

Angular Momentum
The property of any rotating object given by moment of inertia times angular velocity.

It is the property of a rotating body given by the product of the moment of inertia and the angular
velocity of the rotating object. It is a vector quantity, which implies that here along with magnitude, the
direction is also considered.

Angular momentum can be experienced by an object in two situations. They are:

Point object: The object accelerating around a fixed point. For example, Earth revolving around the sun.
Here the angular momentum is given by:
𝐿⃗⃗ = 𝑟 𝑥 𝑝⃗
where:
𝐿⃗⃗ is the angular velocity
r is the radius (distance between the object and the fixed point about which it revolves)
𝑝⃗ is the linear momentum.

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 13

Extended object: The object, which is rotating about a fixed point. For example, Earth rotates about its
axis. Here the angular momentum is given by:
𝐿⃗⃗ = 𝐼 𝑥 𝜔
⃗⃗
where:
𝐿⃗⃗ is the angular momentum.
I is the rotational inertia.
𝜔 ⃗⃗ is the angular velocity

Angular Momentum and Torque

Consider the same point mass attached to a string, the string is tied to a point, and now if we exert
a torque on the point mass, it will start rotating around the center,

The particle of mass m will travel with a perpendicular velocity V┴ which is the velocity that is
perpendicular to the radius of the circle; r is the distance of the particle for the center of its rotation. The
magnitude of 𝐿⃗⃗ is given by:
L = rmv sin 𝜃
= r p⊥
= rmv⊥
= r⊥p
= r⊥mv
where:
𝜃 is the angle between r and p
p⊥ and v⊥ are the components of p and v perpendicular to r
r⊥ is the perpendicular distance between the fixed point and the extension of p

Notice the equation L = r⊥mv the angular momentum of the body only changes when there is a
net torque applied on it. So, when there is no torque applied, the perpendicular velocity of the body will
depend upon the radius of the circle. I.e. the distance from the center of mass of the body to the center of
the circle. Thus,
• for a shorter radius, velocity will be high
• for a higher radius, velocity will be low
as to conserve the angular momentum of the body.

Examples:
1. Calculate the angular momentum of a pully of 2 kg, radius 0.1 m, rotating at a constant angular
velocity of 4 rad/sec.
Solution:
Substitute the given values in the formula of the moment of inertia we get,
1 1
𝐼 = 𝑚𝑅 2 = (2.0 𝑘𝑔)(0.1𝑚)2 = 0.01 𝑘𝑔 ∙ 𝑚2
2 2

Angular momentum is given by 𝐿 = 𝐼 ∙ 𝜔.

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 14

Thus, substituting the values we get
𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝐿 = 𝐼 ∙ 𝜔 = (0.01 𝑘𝑔 ∙ 𝑚2 ) (4 )
𝑠
𝑚2
𝐿 = 0.04 𝑘𝑔 ∙
𝑠

2. Calculate the angular moment of the object. When an object with the moment of inertia I = 5
kg.m² is made to rotate 1 rad/sec speed.
Solution:
𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝐿 = 𝐼 ∙ 𝜔 = (5 𝑘𝑔 ∙ 𝑚2 ) (1 )
𝑠
2
𝑚
𝐿 = 5 𝑘𝑔 ∙
𝑠

What I Can Do
Activity 1.4.2 Think Critically!

1. For an isolated rotating body, how are angular velocity and radius related?
2. When an ice-skater goes for a spin, what happens to her spinning speed when she stretches her
hands?
3. How can an ice-skater increase his/her spinning speed?
4. If the moment of inertia of an isolated system is halved. What happens to its angular velocity?

References:

Byju’s | byjus.com/physics
Britannica | Britannica.com
Khan Academy | khanacademy.org/science
General Physics 1 – Grade 12, Quarter 2-Module 1, First Edition 2020, DepEd Division of
Cagayan de Oro, What’s New pg. 14
BrainKart | brainkart.com/article/Solved-Example-Problems-for-Torque_34592/
10.2 Kinematics of Rotational Motion - College Physics | OpenStax
study.com/academy/lesson/angular-velocity-definition-formula-examples.html
www.toppr.com/guides/physics/mechanics/static-equilibrium-definition-and-equation/
Angular Acceleration Formula". 2020. Softschools.Com.
https://www.softschools.com/formulas/physics/angular_acceleration_formula/
Honors Rotational Kinematics". 2020. Aplusphysics.Com.
https://www.aplusphysics.com/courses/honors/rotation/honors_rot_kinematics.html.
The Dynamics Of Rotational Motion (Examples, Solutions, Videos, Activities)". 2020.
Www.Onlinemathlearning.Com.https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/rotational-motion.html.

General Physics 1 – Quarter 2 15