Rotational Dynamics for Class 11, JEE & NEET - Introduction

eSaral Academic and Editorial Team
Here, you will learn in detail about Rotational Dynamics and Moment of Inertia. Study about rigid bodies and system of particles in this chapter Rotatory Motion Moment of Force or torque Rotational Equilibrium RIGID BODY System of particle which does not change its shape under the influence of ordinary external force and distance between the particle does not change with respect to time. (i) No body in universe is perfectly rigid. However the bodies in which strain effect is quite negigible under the influence of external force may be said to be rigid bodies e.g. earth, billiard ball etc. (ii) The internal structure of a rigid body and its shape and size do not change in state of motion. Rotatory Motion A body rotating about a fixed axis then every particle of the body moves in a circle and the centres of all these circles lie at axis of rotation. $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{v}}_{\mathrm{i}}=\mathrm{v}$ elocity of $\mathrm{i}^{\text {th }}$ particle of mass $\mathrm{m}_{\mathrm{i}}$ $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}_{\mathrm{i}}}=$ position vector of $\mathrm{i}^{\mathrm{th}}$particle $\mathrm{R}_{\mathrm{i}}=$ perpendicular distance of $\mathrm{i}^{\mathrm{ith}}$ particle from axis of rotation. MOMENT OF FORCE OR TORQUE If a hinged or suspended or pivoted body tends to rotate under the action of force, it said to be acted on by a torque: The moment of a force or the torque, about an axis of rotation is equal to the product of the force and perpendicular distance of the line of the action of the force from axis of rotation. The magnitude of torque will be $$ \tau=F . b \quad=F r \sin \theta $$ $b=r \sin \theta$ is known as lever arm or moment arm Unit: $\quad$ M.K.S. : $N-m$ C. G.S. : dyne-cm Dimension: $M L^{2} T^{-2}$ vector form $\vec{\tau}=\vec{r} \times \vec{F}=r F \sin \theta \hat{n},$ where $\theta$ is angle between $\vec{r}$ and $\vec{F}$ and $\hat{n}$ is unit vector perpendicular to the plane of $\vec{r}$ and $\vec{F}$. Torque is an axial vector i.e. its direction is always perpendicular the plane containing vector $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{F}}$ in accordance with right hand rule. If the torque rotates the body in anticlock wise direction, the torque is positive and if the torque rotates the body in clock-wise direction, the torque will be negative. Torque is Minimum When $|\sin \theta|=\min =0$ i.e., $\theta=0^{\circ}$ or $180^{\circ}$ i.e., $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{F}}$ is collinear with $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}$ And $\tau_{\min }=0$ Torque is Maximum When $|\sin \theta|=\max =1$ i.e., $\theta=90^{\circ}$ i.e., $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{F}}$ is orthogonal to $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}$ And $\tau_{\max }=\mathrm{Fr}$ If a body is acted upon by more than one torque, the total torque is the vector sum of each torque. $$ \vec{\tau}=\vec{\tau}_{1}+\vec{\tau}_{2}+\vec{\tau}_{2}+\ldots \ldots \ldots+\vec{\tau}_{n}+\vec{\tau}_{n} \vec{\tau}=\sum_{i=1}^{n} \vec{\tau}_{i} $$ Rotational equilibrium $\sum_{i=1}^{n} \vec{\tau}_{i}=0$ $$ \quad \quad \tau=\mathrm{I} \alpha $$ I- Moment of inertia with respect to axis of rotation. $\alpha$ - Angular acceleration with respect to axis of rotation. $\vec{\tau}=\frac{d \vec{J}}{d t},$ where $\vec{J}$ is angular momentum. The more is the value of b, the more will be torque and easier to rotate the body. (i) The handle of screw driver is taken thick. (ii) In villages the handle of flour-mill is placed near the circumference. (iii) The handle of handpump is kept-long. (iv) The rinch used for opening the tap, is kept-tong. $$ \begin{aligned} \tau=\text { const. } & \text { i.e. } \quad F r \sin \theta=\text { const. } \\ & F=\frac{\text { Const. }}{r \sin \theta} \end{aligned} $$ i.e. longer the arm and greater sin $\theta$, lesser will be the force required for producing desired rotational effect. COUPLE OF FORCES When two forces equal in magnitude but opposite in direction acting at two different points of a body they form couple. This couple tries to rotate body. $$ \begin{array}{l}{\tau=F \cdot b} \\ {b=d \sin \theta}\end{array} $$ Introduction to Rotational Dynamics Moment of Inertia Moment of Inertia: Perpendicular and Parallel axis theorem Radius of Gyration Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum Conservation of Angular Momentum Examples Kinetic Energy of a Rotating Body Work done in rotatory Motion Rotational Power Combine Translational and Rotational Motion Rolling without slipping Rolling on a plane surface Rolling on a Inclined Plane




Team eSaral
eSaral Academic and Editorial Team
Team eSaral is the collective author profile for educational content created by eSaral’s teachers and academic contributors. The team draws on expertise from IIT graduates, doctors, experienced educators and subject specialists to develop resources for JEE, NEET and school students. Our articles aim to explain concepts clearly and help students study with confidence.
Related Posts

BITSAT 2027: Registration Date, Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility, Pattern & Fees
BITSAT 2027 exam dates, registration timeline, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, marking scheme, syllabus and fees in one page.

BITSAT Previous Year Question Paper PDF (2017-2026)
Download BITSAT previous year question papers PDF from 2017 to 2026,session-wise. Memory-based papers,exam pattern, paper analysis and how to practise

CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2027: Expected Exam Dates, Release Date, Admit Card & Result Timeline
CBSE Class 10 date sheet 2027 is awaited. See the expected exam dates, release window, how to download the PDF, admit card and result timelines.

NCERT Physics Class 10 Book PDF in Hindi 2026-27 – भौतिक विज्ञान के 4 अध्याय (Free Download)
NCERT Physics Class 10 book PDF in Hindi 2026-27: download all 4 chapters (अध्याय 9–12) free, with topics and important formulas.

NCERT Biology Class 9 Book Anveshan PDF in Hindi - जीव विज्ञान कक्षा 9 पुस्तक अन्वेषण PDF
Download NCERT Biology Class 9 book PDF in Hindi chapterwise for 2026-27: Cell, Tissues, Reproduction and Diversity. Free PDFs.
-1.webp?2026-10-02T10%3A55%3A05.572Z)
Essay On Artificial Intelligence in English (100,150, 200, 250, 300, 500 Words)
This is in contrast to the natural intelligence of humans. With Artificial Intelligence, machines can perform

Essay on 78th India Independence Day in English for Student (100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500 Words)
Read the best essays on India's Independence Day in English. Short & long essays (100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500 words) perfect for school exams
NCERT Class 11 English Snapshots book - Free PDF download- Esaral
Download NCERT Class 11 English Snapshots book PDF for free. Get all 8 chapters, chapter-wise. Start your prep today!
NCERT Class 10 biology book pdf - Free PDF Download - eSaral
NCERT Class 10 Biology book PDF 2026-27: all 5 chapters (Life Processes to Our Environment) in English & Hindi, with CBSE syllabus, marks & practical

Essay on Global Warming in English (100,150, 200, 250, 300, 500 Words)
Global warming means the Earth is getting hotter. This happens because of things like pollution from cars and factories.
