Rotational Dynamics

Question 1

What causes a change in the angular (rotational) motion of an object?

Answer 1

An unbalanced torque

Question 2

What is the definition of the moment of inertia of an object?

Answer 2

A measure of its resistance to angular acceleration about a given axis.

Question 3

What does the moment of inertia depend on?

Answer 3

Mass and the distribution of mass about a given axis of rotation

Question 4

What are the units of torque?

Answer 4

Nm

Question 5

What is the principle of conservation of angular momentum?

Answer 5

The Total Angular Momentum before a collision will equal the Total Angular Momentum after a collision, as long as no external Torques act upon the system.