Exploration 10.1: Constant Angular Velocity Equation

 
θ = + *t  (θ is in radians)
check, then click set values and play to see "ghost" images set at equal time intervals to mark the path of the ball.

Please wait for the animation to completely load.

By now you have seen the equation:  θ = θ0+ ω0*t.  Perhaps you have even derived it for yourself.  But what does it really mean for the motion of objects?  This Exploration allows you to explore both terms in the equation: the initial angular position by changing θ0 from 0 radians to 6.28 radians and the angular velocity term by changing ω0 from -15 rad/s to 15 rad/s.  Restart.

Answer the following questions (position is given in meters and time is given in seconds).  

  1. How does changing the initial angular position affect the motion?

  2. How does changing the initial angular velocity affect the motion?

 

 

Instructor's Resource CD Edition: Do not post or distribute.
The complete version of Physlet Physics is available as a text with CD; Physlet Physics can be bundled with this Prentice Hall textbook.
© 2004 by Prentice-Hall, Inc. A Pearson Company