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Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics

Newton’s Second Law in Rotational Form

Use net torque = Iα to find angular acceleration, pair it with F = ma for pulleys and unwinding spools, and measure rotational inertia from a graph.

Topic 5.6 · 11 min read

This lesson comes with the AP Physics C: Mechanics plan

In this lesson

  1. 01Deriving the law from F = ma
  2. 02What the law says about angular acceleration
  3. 03Translation and rotation get separate equations
  4. 04Measuring rotational inertia from a graph
  5. 05Worked examples
  6. 06Where students lose points

The first units’ lessons are free. The plan opens every lesson, every practice question with worked solutions, your study plan and calendar, for $14.49 a month. Cancel any time.

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