AP1 Rotational Mechanics Checklist
Check General
Can I identify the direction of rotation?
Am I able to use dimensional analysis to convert to radians?
Do I know how to convert between linear motion (𝑣𝑡 , 𝑎𝑡 , d) and angular motion (𝜔, 𝛼, 𝜃)?
Given data, can I…
…correctly label the axes, title the graph and scale the graph?
…plot the points accurately?
…draw a best-fit line and write an equation for that line in y=mx+b format?
Given a graph, can I use graphical analysis to …
…understand the motion of an object, including displacement, velocity, acceleration,
force, energy, momentum, impulse, etc?
…recognize if the slope is equivalent to a physical concept (velocity, acceleration, mass,
momentum, force, etc)?
…recognize if the “area under the curve” is equivalent to a physical concept (work,
energy, impulse, etc)?
Can I answer a claim/reasoning/evidence question using the main concepts of physics (Laws
or rules) as evidence?
I am able to identify the necessary system of objects to answer questions AND able to
change the system of objects if necessary.
Kinematics
Do I know how to convert linear motion equations to angular motion equations?
Can I determine angular velocity, angular acceleration, and angular displacement from a
graph?
Can I calculate average and instantaneous angular velocity and angular acceleration?
Can I determine the direction of rotation even after application of angular acceleration?
Do I know how to calculate change in rotational displacement when there is acceleration?
Can I read a “position vs. time” graph and …
…describe the rotational motion of 1 object?
…identify what x-intercept, y-intercept, x-axis and y-axis represent in the real world?
…determine the angular distance traveled and average angular speed between any
period of time on the graph?
…determine the angular displacement and average angular velocity between any period
of time on the graph?
Can I read an “angular velocity vs. time” graph and …
…describe the rotational motion of 1 object?
…identify what x-intercept, y-intercept, x-axis and y-axis represent in the real world?
…determine the angular distance traveled and average angular acceleration between
any period of time on the graph?
…determine the angular displacement and average angular velocity between any period
of time on the graph?
Center of Mass
I am able to find the center of mass of a system.
I can apply the concept of the center of mass to position the force of gravity in an extended
free body diagram.
I am able to describe the motion of the center of mass.
Moment of Inertia
I am able to define the moment of inertia.
Can I qualitatively (relatively) predict the amount of rotational inertia of a rigid body without
knowing the specific equation?
Given the specific equations, I can calculate the moment of inertia of a rigid body and the net
moment of inertia of a system composed of several rigid bodies.
Torque
Can I draw an extended free body diagram?
I am able to predict if an object is in equilibrium using both 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 and 𝜏𝑛𝑒𝑡
After identifying external forces, am I able to determine net force and net torque?
Do I know how to find a missing torque? A missing force?
Can I explain and give examples showing net torque and net force are independent of each
other?
Can I use equilibrium with net torque to determine missing forces?
Do I know how to make either force perpendicular to radius or radius perpendicular to
force?
Based on an axis of rotation, I am able to determine if a given torque will produce clockwise
or counter-clockwise rotation.
Do I know how to use the Right-Hand rule to determine the real direction of angular motion?
Am I able to determine the moment of inertia of a system of rigid bodies?
Can I link torque to motion and determine torque, moment of inertia, and/or angular
acceleration of an object or system?
Am I able to predict the motion of a system based on the relationships (proportionalities)
seen in the torque and moment of inertia equations?
Do I know how to use the equation 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝛼𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∑ 𝜏𝐶𝐶𝑊 + ∑ 𝜏𝐶𝑊 and how it relates to
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜏𝑛𝑒𝑡
I can solve multibody torque problems