What is Axis of rotation: Definition and 65 Discussions

Rotation around a fixed axis is a special case of rotational motion. The fixed-axis hypothesis excludes the possibility of an axis changing its orientation and cannot describe such phenomena as wobbling or precession. According to Euler's rotation theorem, simultaneous rotation along a number of stationary axes at the same time is impossible; if two rotations are forced at the same time, a new axis of rotation will appear.
This article assumes that the rotation is also stable, such that no torque is required to keep it going. The kinematics and dynamics of rotation around a fixed axis of a rigid body are mathematically much simpler than those for free rotation of a rigid body; they are entirely analogous to those of linear motion along a single fixed direction, which is not true for free rotation of a rigid body. The expressions for the kinetic energy of the object, and for the forces on the parts of the object, are also simpler for rotation around a fixed axis, than for general rotational motion. For these reasons, rotation around a fixed axis is typically taught in introductory physics courses after students have mastered linear motion; the full generality of rotational motion is not usually taught in introductory physics classes.

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  1. Femme_physics

    Finding the instantaneous axis of rotation

    Homework Statement http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2763/wheelturning.jpg In the drawing is depicted a wheel with radius R (measurements in pic). The wheel rolls on a horizontal plane, across a straight path, without sliding. At a certain moment of the movement, the center of the wheel's...
  2. tiny-tim

    Rolling: is the instantaneous axis of rotation tangential?

    the instantaneous axis of rotation of a body rolling on a stationary surface must pass through the instantaneous point of contact (C) it seems obvious that the axis must be tangential at C (to both surfaces), and perpendicular to the instantaneous line of motion of the point of contact but...
  3. M

    DETERMINDING the axis of rotation

    say i have a lever, fixed to an axis in its right end. now a perpendicular force is exert on the lever, from its left end. the lever will obviously rotate relatively to the fixed axis. (the force will rotate with it, and will always be perpendicular to the lever. so the lever has a fixed...
  4. T

    Spinning Sphere travelling along axis of rotation in fluid

    What effect does rotation have on a sphere moving through a fluid (liguid or gas) when traveling along the axis of rotation? The simplest being an up or down motion.
  5. J

    Rotational Inertia with varying axis of rotation?

    Homework Statement Four identical particles of mass 0.475 kg each are placed at the vertices of a 1.73 m x 1.73 m square and held there by four massless rods, which form the sides of the square. What is the rotational inertia of this rigid body about an axis that (a) passes through the...
  6. D

    Gear basics - changing axis of rotation

    hi everyone! I'm sorry if this seems like a really easy question, but... Suppose I have a device in which manually rotating gear A clockwise causes gear B to rotate clockwise. If gear A and gear B are at a weird angle to each other (say 35 degrees), what sort of intermediate parts could I use...
  7. I

    What is the instantaneous axis of rotation?

    What is the instantaneous axis of rotation? Can you give some examples and a few situations in helping me understand this better. I can across this term while doing a problem in my physics textbook and I did not understand what it meant.
  8. I

    Instantaneous axis of rotation

    Homework Statement A rod is placed between two smooth perpendicular walls such that each end of the rod touches a wall. The rod is released with the bottom end making an angle @ with the horizontal (ground). Using the concept of instantaneous axis of rotation find the following: (a) The...
  9. N

    Will a Meter Stick Rotate Around Its Center of Mass When Released?

    Very quick question: A uniform meter stick held by one end is swung in an arc and released when the person’s arm is horizontal, so that it moves initially away from the ground. About which point will it rotate as it flies before striking the ground? Is it the 50cm mark since once released...
  10. M

    Moment of Inertia and axis of rotation

    What I'm about to ask isn't a homework question, but it is a personal question relating to a home-project I'm working on. My question is, what is the moment of inertia of a hollow square tube about an axis perpendicular to its length? Here's a poor diagram: -----|----- (where | is the...
  11. E

    Find angle and axis of rotation

    find angle and axis of rotation that sends [x1,x2,x3] to [x2,x3,x1] I am not sure where to begin with this.
  12. B

    What is the moment of inertia of the ball about the axis of rotation?

    A solid sphere of diameter 0.15m and mass 0.5kg is released and rolls without slipping down the ramp. The ramp is 0.81m high and is on a table. The table has a height of 1.40 meters. The balls move freely once it leaves the table. a) What is the moment of inertia of the ball about the axis of...
  13. E

    Instantaneous Axis of Rotation

    I have some doubts on the following: When a wheel rolls without slipping, the point of contact of the wheel with the ground is instantaneously at rest. It is sometimes useful to think of the motion of the wheel as pure rotation about this "instantaneous axis". Points [on the wheel] close to...
  14. P

    Geodetic and Frame-Dragging Effects on Gyroscope Axis of Rotation

    How does axis of rotation of a gyroscope alter from the geodetic and framedragging effects... and why is the axis pointing in a constant direction in the first place?
  15. S

    Plastic disc with a coil wound around is axis of rotation

    A question, I have a plastic disc with a coil wound around is axis of rotation. The coil carries current I. Now the disc carries charges at its circumference. Now the current flowing in the coil is brought to 0 instantaneously. This creates Electric Field to be produced that travel in...
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