Home
Back
Angular Acceleration Formula:
| From: | To: |
Angular acceleration (α) is the rate of change of angular velocity over time. It describes how quickly an object's rotational speed is changing. The standard unit is radians per second squared (rad/s²).
The calculator uses the angular acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula is derived from Newton's second law for rotational motion, where torque applied to an object is proportional to its angular acceleration, with the moment of inertia as the proportionality constant.
Details: Calculating angular acceleration is essential in mechanical engineering, robotics, aerospace, and physics for analyzing rotational dynamics, designing rotating machinery, and understanding rotational motion in various systems.
Tips: Enter torque in Newton-meters (N m) and moment of inertia in kilogram-meter squared (kg m²). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between linear and angular acceleration?
A: Linear acceleration measures change in linear velocity (m/s²), while angular acceleration measures change in rotational velocity (rad/s²).
Q2: Can angular acceleration be negative?
A: Yes, negative angular acceleration indicates deceleration or rotation in the opposite direction.
Q3: What factors affect moment of inertia?
A: Moment of inertia depends on the mass distribution relative to the axis of rotation. Different shapes have different moments of inertia formulas.
Q4: How is torque related to force?
A: Torque is the rotational equivalent of force. It's calculated as force multiplied by the lever arm distance from the axis of rotation.
Q5: What are some real-world applications of this calculation?
A: This calculation is used in designing engines, analyzing vehicle dynamics, programming robotic movements, and studying celestial mechanics.