AP Physics 1 Learning Guide
Unit 7: Rotational Motion
Essential Questions:
Learning Targets:
AP.PHYS.11.7.1
Convert angular quantities from revolutions or degrees to radians
and vice versa
AP.PHYS.11.7.2
What causes rotational motion?
How is rotational motion described
mathematically?
AP.PHYS.11.7.3
What is the analog of mass in a
rotational system?
AP.PHYS.11.7.4
Why would a tight‐rope walker use a
long pole?
How does the law of conservation of
angular momentum apply to Kepler’s
2nd Law?
Key Vocabulary:
Radian
Angular Displacement
Angular Velocity
Angular Acceleration
Torque
Rotational Inertia (moment)
AP.PHYS.11.7.5
AP.PHYS.11.7.6
AP.PHYS.11.7.7
AP.PHYS.11.7.8
Distinguish between linear momentum and angular momentum.
State and apply the law conservation of angular momentum to
solve word problems
AP.PHYS.11.7.9
Calculate the lever arm distance and determine the magnitude &
direction of the torque vector if the magnitude and direction of
the net force are given
AP.PHYS.11.7.10
Draw a free‐body diagram for each object in a system. Locate the
forces acting on each object. Use
F = ma and = I to solve for linear or angular acceleration of
each object
Radius of Gyration
Rotational Kinetic Energy
Angular Momentum
Law of Conservation of Angular
Momentum
AP.PHYS.11.7.11
Apply the law of conservation of angular momentum to a system
where no net external torque acts; determine the change in
angular velocity of a system where the moment of inertia of the
objects that make up the system changes
AP.PHYS.11.7.12
Distinguish between translational kinetic energy and rotational
kinetic energy; apply the law of conservation of energy to solve
problems that involve rotational as well translational kinetic
energy