10.2: Kinematics of Rotational Motion: Learning Objectives
10.2: Kinematics of Rotational Motion: Learning Objectives
Just by using our intuition, we can begin to see how rotational quantities like θ, ω and α are related to one another. For example, if
a motorcycle wheel has a large angular acceleration for a fairly long time, it ends up spinning rapidly and rotates through many
revolutions. In more technical terms, if the wheel’s angular acceleration α is large for a long period of time t then the final angular
velocity ω and angle of rotation θ are large. The wheel’s rotational motion is exactly analogous to the fact that the motorcycle’s
large translational acceleration produces a large final velocity, and the distance traveled will also be large.Kinematics is the
description of motion. The kinematics of rotational motion describes the relationships among rotation angle, angular velocity,
angular acceleration, and time. Let us start by finding an equation relating ω, α , and t . To determine this equation, we recall a
familiar kinematic equation for translational, or straight-line, motion:
v = v0 + at (constant a) (10.2.1)
Note that in rotational motion a = a , and we shall use the symbol a for tangential or linear acceleration from now on. As in linear
t
kinematics, we assume a is constant, which means that angular acceleration α is also a constant, because a = rα . Now, let us
substitute v = rω and a = rα into the linear equation above:
rw = rωo + rαt, (10.2.2)
where ω is the initial angular velocity. This last equation is a kinematic relationship among ω, α , and t - that is, it describes their
o
relationship without reference to forces or masses that may affect rotation. It is also precisely analogous in form to its translational
counterpart.
Making Connections.
Kinematics for rotational motion is completely analogous to translational kinematics, first presented in One-Dimensional
Kinematics. Kinematics is concerned with the description of motion without regard to force or mass. We will find that
translational kinematic quantities, such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration have direct analogs in rotational motion.
Starting with the four kinematic equations we developed in One-Dimensional Kinematics, we can derive the following four
rotational kinematic equations (presented together with their translational counterparts):
Table 10.2.1
Rotational Translational
¯¯
¯ ¯
¯¯
θ = ωt x = vt
ω = ωo + αt v = vo + at (constant α, a)
1 2 1 2
Θ = ωo t + αt x = v0 t + at (constant α, a)
2 2
2 2 2 2
ω = ωo + 2αθ v = v + 2ax (constant α, a)
0
In these equations, the subscript 0 denotes initial values (θ 0, x0 and t0 are initial values), and the average angular velocity
overlineω and average velocity v are defined as follows:
¯
¯¯
ω0 + ω v0 + v
¯¯ ¯¯
ω̄ = and v̄ = . (10.2.4)
2 2
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The equations given above in Table 10.2.1 can be used to solve any rotational or translational kinematics problem in which a and
α are constant.
Figure 10.2.1 : Fishing line coming off a rotating reel moves linearly. Example and Example consider relationships between
rotational and linear quantities associated with a fishing reel.
A deep-sea fisherman hooks a big fish that swims away from the boat pulling the fishing line from his fishing reel. The whole
system is initially at rest and the fishing line unwinds from the reel at a radius of 4.50 cm from its axis of rotation. The reel is
given an angular acceleration of 110 rad/s for 2.00 s as seen in Figure 10.3.1.
2
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v = (0.0450 m)(220 rad/s) = 9.90 m/s. (10.2.8)
Note again that radians must always be used in any calculation relating linear and angular quantities. Also, because radians are
dimensionless, we have m × rad = m .
Solution for (c)
Here, we are asked to find the number of revolutions. Because 1 rev = 2π rad , we can find the number of revolutions by
finding θ in radians. We are given α and t , and we know ω is zero, so that θ can be obtained using θ = ω t + α t .
o 0
1
2
2
1 2
θ = ω0 t + αt (10.2.9)
2
2 2
= 0 + (0.500)(110 rad/ s )(2.00s) = 220rad. (10.2.10)
Discussion
This example illustrates that relationships among rotational quantities are highly analogous to those among linear quantities.
We also see in this example how linear and rotational quantities are connected. The answers to the questions are realistic. After
unwinding for two seconds, the reel is found to spin at 220 rad/s, which is 2100 rpm. (No wonder reels sometimes make high-
pitched sounds.) The amount of fishing line played out is 9.90 m, about right for when the big fish bites.
Example 10.2.2: Calculating the Duration When the Fishing Reel Slows Down and Stops
Now let us consider what happens if the fisherman applies a brake to the spinning reel, achieving an angular acceleration of -
300 rad/s . How long does it take the reel to come to a stop?
2
Strategy
We are asked to find the time for the reel to come to a stop. The initial and final conditions are different from those in the
previous problem, which involved the same fishing reel. Now we see that the initial angular velocity is ω = 220 rad/s and
0
the final angular velocity ω is zero. The angular acceleration is given to be α = −300 rad/s . Examining the available
2
equations, we see all quantities but t are known in ω = ω + αt , making it easiest to use this equation.
0
Solution
The equation states
ω = ω0 + αt. (10.2.13)
We solve the equation algebraically for t, and then substitute the known values as usual, yielding
ω − ω0 0 − 220 rad/s
t = = = 0.733 s. (10.2.14)
2
α −300 rad/s
Discussion
Note that care must be taken with the signs that indicate the directions of various quantities. Also, note that the time to stop the
reel is fairly small because the acceleration is rather large. Fishing lines sometimes snap because of the accelerations involved,
and fishermen often let the fish swim for a while before applying brakes on the reel. A tired fish will be slower, requiring a
smaller acceleration.
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Example 10.2.3: Calculating the Slow Acceleration of Trains and Their Wheels
Large freight trains accelerate very slowly. Suppose one such train accelerates from rest, giving its 0.350-m-radius wheels an
angular acceleration of 0.250 rad/s . After the wheels have made 200 revolutions (assume no slippage): (a) How far has the
2
train moved down the track? (b) What are the final angular velocity of the wheels and the linear velocity of the train?
Strategy
In part (a), we are asked to find x, and in (b) we are asked to find ω and v . We are given the number of revolutions θ , the
radius of the wheels r, and the angular accelerationnα .
Solution for (a)
The distance x is very easily found from the relationship between distance and rotation angle:
x
θ = . (10.2.15)
r
Before using this equation, we must convert the number of revolutions into radians, because we are dealing with a relationship
between linear and rotational quantities:
2π rad
θ = (200 rev) = 1257 rad. (10.2.17)
1 rev
Now we can substitute the known values into x = rθ to find the distance the train moved down the track:
x = rθ = (0.350 m)(1257 rad) = 440 m. (10.2.18)
2 2
ω =ω + 2αθ (10.2.19)
0
Taking the square root of this equation and entering the known values gives
2 1/2
ω = [0 + 2(0.250 rad/ s )(1257 rad)] (10.2.20)
We can find the linear velocity of the train, v , through its relationship to ω:
v = rω = (0.350 m)(25.1 rad/s) = 8.77 m/s. (10.2.22)
Discussion
The distance traveled is fairly large and the final velocity is fairly slow (just under 32 km/h).
There is translational motion even for something spinning in place, as the following example illustrates. Figure10.3.2 shows a fly
on the edge of a rotating microwave oven plate. The example below calculates the total distance it travels.
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Figure 10.2.2 . The image shows a microwave plate. The fly makes revolutions while the food is heated (along with the fly).
Example 10.2.4: Calculating the Distance Traveled by a Fly on the Edge of a Microwave Oven Plate
A person decides to use a microwave oven to reheat some lunch. In the process, a fly accidentally flies into the microwave and
lands on the outer edge of the rotating plate and remains there. If the plate has a radius of 0.15 m and rotates at 6.0 rpm,
calculate the total distance traveled by the fly during a 2.0-min cooking period. (Ignore the start-up and slow-down times.)
Strategy
First, find the total number of revolutions θ , and then the linear distance x traveled. θ = ω̄ can be used to find θ because ω̄ is
¯
¯ ¯
¯
¯¯
¯
θ = ω = (6.0 rpm)(2.0 min) = 12 rev. (10.2.23)
As always, it is necessary to convert revolutions to radians before calculating a linear quantity like x from an angular quantity
like θ :
2π rad
θ = (12 rev) ( ) = 75.4 rad. (10.2.24)
1 rev
Now, using the relationship between x and θ , we can determine the distance traveled:
x = rθ = (0.15 m)(75.4 rad) = 11 m. (10.2.25)
Discussion
Quite a trip (if it survives)! Note that this distance is the total distance traveled by the fly. Displacement is actually zero for
complete revolutions because they bring the fly back to its original position. The distinction between total distance traveled and
displacement was first noted in One-Dimensional Kinematics.
Exercise 10.2.1
Rotational kinematics has many useful relationships, often expressed in equation form. Are these relationships laws of physics
or are they simply descriptive? (Hint: the same question applies to linear kinematics.)
Answer
Rotational kinematics (just like linear kinematics) is descriptive and does not represent laws of nature. With kinematics, we
can describe many things to great precision but kinematics does not consider causes. For example, a large angular
acceleration describes a very rapid change in angular velocity without any consideration of its cause.
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Summary
Kinematics is the description of motion.
The kinematics of rotational motion describes the relationships among rotation angle, angular velocity, angular acceleration, and
time.
Starting with the four kinematic equations we developed in the One-Dimensional Kinematics, we can derive the four rotational
kinematic equations (presented together with their translational counterparts) seen in Table.
In these equations, the subscript 0 denotes initial values (x and t are initial values), and the average angular velocity ω and
0 o
¯¯
¯
ω0 + ω v0 + v
¯¯
ω̄ = and . (10.2.26)
2 2
Glossary
kinematics of rotational motion
describes the relationships among rotation angle, angular velocity, angular acceleration, and time
10.2: Kinematics of Rotational Motion is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax.
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