PHYS 1111 - Introductory Physics I
Chapter 11 - Rotational Equilibrium and Rotational Dynamics

Study Assignment:

Chapter 11, Sections 11.1 - 11.8

Lesson notes:

In this chapter the translational and rotational requirements for equilibrium are applied to rigid bodies. The topic of static equilibrium is of particular importance to civil engineers and architects. We will also examine the rotational analog of Newton's 2nd law.  We will also introduce the concept of angular momentum and examine the third conservation law of the course: the conservation of angular momentum.

Objectives:

1. Understand the definition of torque.

2. Be able to apply Newton's Second Law for rotational motion to problem solving.

3. Be able to relate the torque acting on a body to the resulting angular acceleration.

4. Be able to state the translational and rotational conditions for static equilibrium for a rigid body.

5. Understand that the weight of a rigid body can be represented by a single force acting through the center of gravity of the body.

6. Be able to apply the conditions for static equilibrium to problem solving.

7. Be able to relate the torque on an object to its angular momentum.

8. Be able to apply the law of conservation of angular momentum to problems.

Vocabulary:

lever arm
center of gravity
axis of rotation
moment of inertia
rotational kinetic energy
angular momentum

Sample Problems:

TQ: 11.1, 11.10
TE:  11.2
TP: 11.8, 11.13, 11.20, 11.41, 11.57, 11.85, 11.86

Additional materials:

Additional resources are available from the text Web site.

Last update: August 18, 2008