Saturday, February 04, 2006

angular velocity- definition - ratational motion

Definition: A velocity expressed in radians per second (for an object moving in a circle, the angular velocity is exactly the rate it covers angles around the circle - this can be generalized to a frequency for general harmonic motion). Equal in magnitude to the frequency in Hz multiplied by 2pi and directed along the axis of rotation. If the rotation is in a horizontal plane and anticlockwise when seen from above then the velocity points upwards.

Also Known As: angular frequency - the magnitude of the angular velocity

Examples: A fast satellite that orbits the earth at one revolution per second in a west to east direction would have an angular velocity of 2pi radians per second (in a north direction).

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