AP Physics C: Mechanics : Understanding Linear-Rotational Equivalents

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics C: Mechanics

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Rotational Motion And Torque

What is the rotational equivalent of mass?

Possible Answers:

Angular momentum 

Torque

Radius

Moment of inertia 

Correct answer:

Moment of inertia 

Explanation:

The correct answer is moment of inertia. For linear equations, mass is what resists force and causes lower linear accelerations. Similarly, in rotational equations, moment of inertia resists torque and causes lower angular accelerations. 

Example Question #1 : Circular And Rotational Motion

In rotational kinematics equations, what quantity is analogous to force in linear kinematics equations?

Possible Answers:

Moment of inertia

Torque

Impulse

Angular acceleration

Correct answer:

Torque

Explanation:

Just as force causes linear acceleration, torque causes angular acceleration. This can be seen most in the linear-rotational comparison of Newton's second law:

Example Question #1 : Understanding Linear Rotational Equivalents

A boot is put in a  stick which is attached to a rotor. The rotor turns with an angular velocity of . What is the linear velocity of the boot?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Linear (tangential) velocity,  is given by the following equation: 

Here,  is the angular velocity in radians per second and  is the radius in meters.

Solve.

 

Example Question #1 : Circular And Rotational Motion

Angular momentum of a particle

A particle is moving at constant speed in a straight line past a fixed point in space, c. How does the angular momentum of the particle about the fixed point in space change as the particle moves from point a to point b?

Possible Answers:

The angular momentum decreases

The angular momentum increases

The particle does not have angular momentum since it is not rotating

It cannot be determined without knowing the mass of the particle

The angular momentum does not change

Correct answer:

The angular momentum does not change

Explanation:

The angular momentum of a particle about a fixed axis is . As the particle draws nearer the fixed axis, both  and  change. However, the product  remains constant. If you imagine a triangle connecting the three points, the product  represents the  "of closest approach", labeled "" in the diagram.

Angular momentum of a particle solution

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