Finding the Rotation Vector $\omega$ of a Sphere

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 2K views
evinda
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,741
Reaction score
0
Hello! (Wave)

A sphere with radius $10 cm$ and center $(0,0,0)$ turns around the $z$-axis with angular velocity $4$ and with such a direction that the rotation has counterclockwise direction, being seen my the positive semi-axis $z$.

I want to find the rotation-vector $\omega$.

Is this equal to the vector of the angular velocity? If so, why? (Thinking)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
evinda said:
Hello! (Wave)

A sphere with radius $10 cm$ and center $(0,0,0)$ turns around the $z$-axis with angular velocity $4$ and with such a direction that the rotation has counterclockwise direction, being seen my the positive semi-axis $z$.

I want to find the rotation-vector $\omega$.

Is this equal to the vector of the angular velocity? If so, why? (Thinking)

It is - by definition. The rotation vector $\vec{\omega}$ IS the angular velocity! It's defined by
$$\vec{\omega}=\frac{\vec{r}\times\vec{v}}{\vec{r}\cdot\vec{r}},$$
where $\vec{v}$ is the regular velocity vector in the tangential direction of a point on the circle or sphere.