Introduction to Mechanics: Rotational Dynamics
Learn about rotational dynamics in this calculus-based physics course.
Course Information
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About this Course
This online physics course is the third in the xSeries that covers calculus-based mechanics. In this course, you will explore rotational motion and learn about the concepts of torque and angular momentum. You will learn about the conservation of angular momentum, and use it with other conservation laws to solve complex problems in rotational dynamics.
The xSeries in Introduction to Mechanics is a four-part series of online courses that is based on the MIT subject 8.01: Physics I, required of all MIT undergraduates.
- Mechanics: Kinematics and Dynamics
- Mechanics: Momentum and Energy
- Mechanics: Rotational Dynamics
- Mechanics: Simple Harmonic Motion and Non-Inertial Reference Frames
To understand the material in this course you should have taken Mechanics: Kinematics and Dynamics and Mechanics: Momentum and Energy, linked above.
The course image is an overlay of multiple shots of a yoyo as it accelerates across a surface due to a force pulling the string.
What you'll learn
- Rigid Bodies and Moment of Inertia
- Torque
- Angular Momentum
- Translation and Rotation
- Gyroscopes
Prerequisites
High school physics and calculus, for example:
- Calculus 1A: Differentiation
- Calculus 1B: Integration
- Calculus 1C: Coordinate Systems & Infinite Series
- Mechanics: Kinematics and Dynamics
- Mechanics: Momentum and Energy
Meet your instructors
Peter Dourmaskin
Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics at MIT
Peter Dourmashkin is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics at MIT. His research interests are in Mathematical Physics, Lie Group and Algebra Representation Theory. He has been part of the development, implementation, and teaching team for Technology Enabled Active Learning (TEAL). He has developed OCW Scholar Courses, the physics curriculum for a new university, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and is currently working on online learning through MITx and edX.
