Mechanics: Rotational Dynamics

There are 8 ready-to-use problem sets on the topic of Rotational Dynamics. These problem sets focus on the analysis of situations involving a rigid object or objects rotating in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about a given point. The object's rotation speed may be increasing, decreasing, or remaining constant. 



Click a link to open a publicly-available problem set.  If you are a Task Tracker student, open the assignment using the link on the Task Tracker assignment board.


Problem Set RD1: Moment of Inertia for a System of Point Masses
Determine the moment of inertia of several oddly-configured objects consisting of point masses if given the position of masses relative to an axis of rotation. Includes 4 problems.



Problem Set RD2: Determining Moment of Inertia 1
Use information about objects of a variety of shapes (e.g., solid disk, ring, solid sphere, hollow sphere, solid rod, etc.) to determine their moment of inertia (I). Includes 5 problems.



Set RD3: Determining the Moment of Inertia 2
Use information about complex objects that can be modeled as a combination of simple objects in order to determine the moment of inertia (I) of the combination. Includes 5 problems.



Problem Set RD4: Determining I using the Parallel Axis Theorem
Use the parallel axis theorem to determine the moment of inertia for a simple object when its axis of rotation is not directed through the center of mass. Includes 5 problems.



Problem Set RD5: Combining Torque and Rotational Kinematics 1
Use the concepts of torque, moment of inertia, angular and linear relationships to solve problems. Includes 7 problems.



Problem Set RD6: Combining Torque and Rotational Kinematics 2
Use the concepts of torque, moment of inertia, angular and linear relationships to solve problems. Includes 7 problems.



Problem Set RD7: Rotational Kinetic Energy
Relate the rotational inertia, the angular and linear velocities, and the rotational kinetic energy for a variety of rotational systems. Includes 9 problems.



Problem Set RD8: Angular Momentum
Use principles of rotational dynamics to calculate angular speed and angular momentum values for a variety of scenarios involving rotating systems. Includes 10 problems.