Rotational Equilibrium

We have looked at linear motion and rotational motion.

We have looked at linear kinematics and rotational kinetmatics.

We have looked at linear dynamics and rotational kinematics.

In addition to simply looking at "momentum conservation", meaning linear momentum conservation, we can also look at angular momentum conservation.

When we consider Energy Conservation we must be careful to include both linear KE and rotational KE.

If all the forces add to zero -- if the net force on an object -- is zero, we expect an object at rest to remain at rest. But it could also rotate. So we must investigate this further. If an object is in equilibrium -- if it is at rest and remains at rest -- we know the forces on it must add to zero. But there is more, . . .

Gyroscopes

First Condition of Equilibrium
Return ToC, Rotational Dynamics
(c) 2005, Doug Davis; all rights reserved