Conceptual Dynamics - Independent Learning

Rigid-Body Motion

 

Definitions

  • Kinematics: The study of a body's motion without regard to its mass or applied forces.
  • Rigid Body: A rigid body has size and may rotate as well as translate.

 

Types of motion

  • Pure translation: A body only translates with no rotation.
  • Pure rotation: A body rotates about a fixed axis.
  • General planar motion: A body rotates and translates.

 

Motion characteristics

  • Angular position: (θ) Angular position relative to an inertial coordinate axis. Similar to how θ was measured in polar coordinates.
  • Angular velocity: (ω) How fast a body is rotating.
  • Angular acceleration: (α) How fast a body's rotation rate is increasing or decreasing.