Where the Angular Velocity Vector Coming From?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the origin and properties of the angular velocity vector, particularly in the context of rigid body rotation. Participants explore the relationship between angular velocity, rotational motion, and vector products, as well as the implications of directionality in three-dimensional space.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the angular velocity vector should point into the screen for clockwise rotation, questioning how this direction is derived from equations like ##\vec{R} \times \vec{v} = \vec{\omega}##.
  • There is a suggestion that the equation ##\vec{\omega} = \frac{1}{r^2} (\vec{v} \times \vec{r})## provides a way to compute angular velocity, with the direction being perpendicular to the plane formed by the vectors ##\vec{v}## and ##\vec{r}##.
  • Participants express confusion regarding the factor of ##\frac{1}{r^2}##, with one participant providing reasoning based on circular motion and the relationship between linear velocity and angular velocity.
  • Another participant notes that the direction of ##\vec{\omega}## cannot be determined solely from the relationship between ##d\theta## and ##dt##, emphasizing the need to understand the plane of rotation.
  • One participant concludes that the right-hand rule is essential for determining the direction of ##\vec{\omega}## and reiterates the relationship ##\vec{\omega} \times \vec{R} = \vec{v}##.
  • A participant mentions that the equation ##w = d\theta/dt## simplifies the three-dimensional description, implying that the direction is inherently defined in the context of the axis of rotation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of understanding regarding the direction and calculation of the angular velocity vector. There is no consensus on the derivation of the direction of ##\vec{\omega}## or the implications of the factor ##\frac{1}{r^2}##, indicating ongoing debate and exploration of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the definitions of angular velocity and the conditions under which the equations apply. The relationship between linear and angular quantities is not fully resolved, and the implications of the right-hand rule are acknowledged but not universally accepted.

Arman777
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I know that If we have a rigid body rotating clokwise direction,the angular velocity vector should be in the into the screen.But also I know that

##w=dθ/dt## so..Whats the equation that tells us that ##\vec w## is into the screen ?

Is it coming from some vector product ? Or we know that its ##\vec R x\vec v=\vec w##
 
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Arman777 said:
I know that If we have a rigid body rotating clokwise direction,the angular velocity vector should be in the into the screen.But also I know that

##w=dθ/dt## so..Whats the equation that tells us that ##\vec w## is into the screen ?
I thought ##\vec R x \vec {Δθ}=\vec w## (##\vec R## is in the upward direction).But sounds wrong...

The direction of [itex]\vec{\omega}[/itex] is the axis of rotation. If [itex]\vec{v}[/itex] is the velocity of a point on the body, and [itex]\vec{r}[/itex] is the vector to the center of rotation, then you can compute [itex]\omega[/itex] via:

[itex]\vec{\omega} = \frac{1}{r^2} (\vec{v} \times \vec{r})[/itex]

So it's a vector that is perpendicular to the plane containing both [itex]\vec{v}[/itex] and [itex]\vec{r}[/itex].
 
stevendaryl said:
The direction of [itex]\vec{\omega}[/itex] is the axis of rotation. If [itex]\vec{v}[/itex] is the velocity of a point on the body, and [itex]\vec{r}[/itex] is the vector to the center of rotation, then you can compute [itex]\omega[/itex] via:

[itex]\vec{\omega} = \frac{1}{r^2} (\vec{v} \times \vec{r})[/itex]

So it's a vector that is perpendicular to the plane containing both [itex]\vec{v}[/itex] and [itex]\vec{r}[/itex].

why there's ##\frac {1} {r^2}## ?

I see...Is there any equation that contains ##\vec w##, ##dθ## and ##dt## ?
 
Arman777 said:
why there's ##\frac {1} {r^2}## ?

I see...Is there any equation that contains ##vec w##, ##dθ## and ##dt## ?

Well, the [itex]\frac{1}{r^2}[/itex] is intuitively correct from the following reasoning: If you have circular motion, then [itex]v = \frac{2 \pi r}{T}[/itex] where [itex]T[/itex] is the time for a complete circle. So the magnitude of [itex]\vec{v} \times \vec{r}[/itex] is [itex]\frac{2 \pi r^2}{T}[/itex]. Dividing by [itex]r^2[/itex] gives [itex]\frac{2\pi}{T}[/itex] which is the same as [itex]\frac{d\theta}{dt}[/itex].

So the magnitude of [itex]\vec{\omega}[/itex] is just [itex]\frac{d\theta}{dt}[/itex]

You can't get the direction of [itex]\vec{\omega}[/itex] from [itex]d\theta[/itex] and [itex]dt[/itex]. You need to know what plane the rotation is in.
 
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I understand now.We know that ##\vec w x \vec R= \vec v##
so ##(\vec w x \vec R) x \vec R= \vec v x \vec R##

Which its ##\vec w (\vec R.\vec R)-\vec R (\vec w.\vec R)=\vec v x \vec R##
##\vec w R^2-0=\vec v x \vec R##
##\vec w=\frac {1} {r^2} (\vec v x \vec R)##

I just should know that ##\vec w## is founding by right hand rule and ##\vec w x \vec R= \vec v##

stevendaryl said:
You can't get the direction of ⃗ωω→\vec{\omega} from dθdθd\theta and dtdtdt. You need to know what plane the rotation is in.

I see ok
 
Arman777 said:
##w=dθ/dt## so..Whats the equation that tells us that ##\vec w## is into the screen ?

This 1D equation is a simplification of the 3D description. In making this simplification θ is defined about an axis with a direction, so the direction is already implicitly in there.
 
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