Will a Stick in Space Rotate or Translate?

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SUMMARY

A stick in space will both rotate and translate when an impulse is applied to one end. The application of force generates translational motion, while the torque created by the force results in rotational motion. Even in the absence of a gravitational field, the stick maintains a center of mass, which serves as a reference point for rotation. Therefore, the stick does not simply travel in a straight line; it undergoes both types of motion simultaneously.

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  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with concepts of torque and angular momentum
  • Knowledge of center of mass in rigid body dynamics
  • Basic principles of motion in a vacuum
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If there is a stick in space and you provide an impulse on one end of the stick, then will it rotate or will it simply undergo translational motion in a straight line?

If you have the stick on Earth on top of a surface then it will rotate about its centre of mass which acts as the pivot. However in space, in the absence of a gravitational field or friction I'd imagine that there is no obvious pivot point which means that the stick will just travel in a straight line in the direction the impulse was in. Am I right?
 
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It will rotate. You have provided both a force and a torque, so it will rotate. Also, objects still have a center of mass, even if they are not in a gravitational field.
 

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