Physics · Theme A: Space, time and motion

A.4 — Rigid body mechanics

Physics · SL / HL · syllabus-mapped notes

1. Torque and rotational equilibrium

   Torque of a force about an axis, its sense, and the condition for rotational equilibrium.

2. Rotational kinematics

   Angular displacement, velocity and acceleration, and the equations of motion for uniform angular acceleration.

3. Moment of inertia and Newton’s second law for rotation

   How mass distribution sets the moment of inertia, and τ = Iα.

4. Angular momentum and rotational energy

   Angular momentum and its conservation, angular impulse, rotational kinetic energy, and rolling without slipping.