STUDY GUIDE FOR SECTION IV

The course and, consequently, the tests emphasize problem solving. In order to solve problems one needs to master the underlying concepts and principles. This guide points out some of the basic terms, concepts, principles or laws. In addition, please review sample problems in you notes and do the homework assigned on WileyPlus. You have to understand and use the physics principles when you do problems.  Plugging numbers into formulas without understanding the underlying physics  concepts and principles leads to disasters not only on tests but also in real life.

Ch. 10 &11: Rotational motion, Rolling  motion , Torque and Angular Momentum 

Visit this website. It shows the parallel between linear and angular motion as well as the derivation of moments of inertia for some common geometric objects such as a solid sphere,-

cylinder etc.

bullet Be able to use the equations of motion for constant angular acceleration listed in table 10-1 (Page 247).
bullet Be able to relate linear and angular variables (Table 10-1 and Table 10-3)    
bullet Be able to calculate the moment of inertia for a system of particles or rigid bodies rotating around an axis passing through their CM or any axis parallel to it. 
bullet Be familiar with Table 10-2 and be able to use the parallel axis theorem to convert Icm to Iparallel . Be able to wisely use the information in Table 10-2 and/or the above website along with the parallel axis theorem. You will be given this info for use in your test.
bullet Be able to calculate rotational Kinetic Energy.
bullet Be able to calculate  torque  ( T =r  x F) angular momentum (L = r x p and/or L = Iω) as a vector products and figure out directions of of T and L using the right hand rule.
bullet Be familiar with Newton's 2nd law for rotation.
bullet Be able to relate torque and angular momentum as well as torque and angular acceleration
bullet Be able to state and apply the conservation of L in solving problems  and explain: Why a spinning wheel does not fall; Why a gyroscope or a spinning top maintains its direction.; Why skaters spin faster when their arms pulled in and slow ere when their arms are stretched. Why pulsars spin faster than stars. Why a helicopter needs a rear rotor etc. 
bullet Be able to explain that Kepler's 2nd Law of planetary motion (The Law of Equal Areas) is a consequence of the conservation of L.
bullet Be able to explain and do calculations related to the demo with the rotating stool and weights that will be done in class.
bullet Be able to use conservation of energy when both transitional and rotational kinetic energies are present.  See examples in Chapters  10 & 11 and the homework.

You may visit the sites below if you want to understand Angular Momentum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAWLLo5cyfE

http://www.5min.com/Video/Understanding-Conservation-of-Angular-Momentum-174069323