Negative Angular Velocity: Is It a Change in Direction?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of angular velocity, specifically addressing the implications of negative angular velocity and its relation to direction changes in motion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the meaning of negative angular velocity and whether it indicates a change in direction. Questions arise regarding the interpretation of angular acceleration and its relationship to direction changes.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing insights into the nature of angular velocity and direction. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the calculations presented, and no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing angular velocity in the context of specific calculations involving degrees and radians, with some questioning the validity of their results and the implications of negative values.

NotaPhysicsMan
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Ok,

If my angular velocity is negative, does that mean I've stopped and now changing directions in terms of my movement?

Thanks.
 
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Angular velocity is rate of change of angle about a fixed point, so if it's negative it means you're now moving around the point in the opposite direction.
 
Ok, so let's say my calculation came to:

120 degrees=+2.02 rad/s
150 degrees=-0.60 rad/s

Does this mean that in between this point, I stopped my movement in the positive and now am traveling in the opposing direction? So angular acceleartion doesn't really tell me if it has changed direction. Just tells me if it's slowing down or increasing.
 
150 degrees should give more radians than 120 degrees. It's just measured on a different scale so that shouldn't cause it to become negative.

Try using google if the conversion isn't working out too well.
 

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