How to find angular velocity from torque?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between torque and angular velocity, particularly how to determine angular velocity from torque when a force is applied to a rigid object. Participants explore concepts related to angular motion, including the equations governing these relationships and the implications of moment of inertia.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that torque can be calculated as τ = F x r and questions how to find angular velocity ω from torque.
  • Another participant suggests that the equations of angular motion could provide insights into the relationship between torque and angular velocity.
  • It is mentioned that for a body rotating with constant angular velocity, there is no net torque applied, drawing an analogy to linear motion.
  • A participant proposes that the amount of torque required to accelerate an object can be calculated, but the clarity of the original question is questioned.
  • Another participant suggests using a stroboscope or timing light to determine the angular velocity of a rotating object.
  • One participant elaborates on the relationship between torque, moment of inertia, and angular acceleration, providing equations for integration to find angular velocity over time.
  • Concerns are raised about the treatment of moment of inertia as a scalar for certain shapes, with a note that it is tensorial in nature in general cases.
  • There is a discussion about the educational level at which the tensorial nature of moment of inertia is typically introduced.
  • A participant humorously reflects on their past understanding of tensors and questions whether time is also a tensor quantity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the relationship between torque and angular velocity, with some proposing methods to calculate angular velocity while others highlight the complexities involved. There is no consensus on a definitive method to find angular velocity from torque.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the moment of inertia can be treated as a scalar for certain shapes like cubes and spheres, but this is not universally applicable. The discussion includes unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the nature of torque and angular motion.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and enthusiasts of physics, particularly those exploring concepts of rotational dynamics and the mathematical relationships between torque, angular velocity, and moment of inertia.

geekie weekie
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Hello,

If I apply force on a rigid cube, I can find the torque τ as:

τ = F x r

Now, from torque τ I can know about the axis of rotation but how much should I rotate the cube. How can I find the angular velocity ω from torque τ? Or is there any other way by which I can find how much the object rotates every second?

Thank you.
 
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What do the equations of angular motion tell you?
 
SteamKing said:
What do the equations of angular motion tell you?

The angular velocity will tell me the velocity with which I should rotate the cube. Is there anyway I can find it with the help of torque?
 
If you study the equations of angular motion, you'll see that for a body rotating with a constant angular velocity, there is no net torque applied.

It's analogous to a spaceship traveling at a constant linear velocity: there is no net force being applied to the spaceship.

Force and torque accelerate objects from one velocity to another, so when these are applied, the velocity is always changing.
 
So, how do I find the amount by which I should rotate an object every second if I know the torque of an object?
 
You can calculate the amount of torque required to accelerate the object, say from rest to a certain angular velocity.

Your question is a bit unclear. If you want to determine what the angular velocity of a rotating object, that can be accomplished by using a stroboscope or timing light.
 
SteamKing said:
You can calculate the amount of torque required to accelerate the object, say from rest to a certain angular velocity.

Your question is a bit unclear. If you want to determine what the angular velocity of a rotating object, that can be accomplished by using a stroboscope or timing light.

What I mean is I have an object lying in the 3D space. If I apply a certain force, how do I find the axis on which it should rotate and how much amount the object should rotate depending on the force applied and the duration of the force applied?
 
geekie weekie said:
Hello,

If I apply force on a rigid cube, I can find the torque τ as:

τ = F x r

Now, from torque τ I can know about the axis of rotation but how much should I rotate the cube. How can I find the angular velocity ω from torque τ? Or is there any other way by which I can find how much the object rotates every second?

Thank you.

we know
(torque) = (moment of inertia).(angular acceleration)


ζ=Iα

also
α = dω/dt


or

dω/dt= ζ/I


and at last

ω = ∫ (ζ)/(I) . dt

even if ζ is time dependent calculate ω,
[caution do not forget integration constant i.e. initial angular velocity]

as per your question


ζ=Fxr

put it in the integrating equation
 
This is fine for a cube because the momentum of inertia of a cube, like a sphere, can be treated as a scalar. This is not true in general. The moment of inertia is tensorial in nature. If you don't know what that means, that's okay if this is for a lower level (freshman/sophomore level or below) physics class. Those lower level physics classes steer clear of cases where this tensorial nature rears its ugly head.
 
  • #10
D H said:
This is fine for a cube because the momentum of inertia of a cube, like a sphere, can be treated as a scalar. This is not true in general. The moment of inertia is tensorial in nature. If you don't know what that means, that's okay if this is for a lower level (freshman/sophomore level or below) physics class. Those lower level physics classes steer clear of cases where this tensorial nature rears its ugly head.
when does this level come
Phd!
mann! you are awesome at vocab:-p and physics
 
  • #11
It's the second or third year in college where one learns that moment of inertia is a tensor rather than a scalar. With regard to grammar, get in the habit of writing complete sentences. It's a rule of this site, and it's also a rule in life beyond college.
 
  • #12
d h said:
it's the second or third year in college where one learns that moment of inertia is a tensor rather than a scalar. With regard to grammar, get in the habit of writing complete sentences. It's a rule of this site, and it's also a rule in life beyond college.

ohh yeah i was told this i just remember tenser told to me in 7th
like current is tensor quantity which is having some direction (lol! I don't know exactly but yeah i want to ask is time also tensor quantity)
i when studied electricity at coaching at beginning of my 9th this year i opposed teacher by saying example of time but not confirm
 

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