IB Physics Sub-topic A4 Definitions

This page contains our IB Physics definitions for sub-topic A4. By learning each one of these definitions, you will fully cover the content for IB Physics 'Rigid body mechanics'.
acceleration

It is the velocity travelled per unit time or displacement travelled per square unit time

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Angular Impulse

The change in angular momentum due to the application of an external torque over an extended time

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Angular Momentum

The momentum of rotational motion, calculated as the moment of the linear momentum around the axis of rotation

Angular velocity

It is the angle travelled per unit time

Centripetal acceleration

It is the acceleration of an object towards the center of the circle during uniform circular motion

distance

It is the amount of space travelled

equilibrium

The state of all forces on an object being balanced and cancelling out to zero

kinetic energy

It is the energy of movement

momentum

It is the product of mass and velocity

motion

It is the movement of an object

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Rotational Equilibrium

A state where there is no resultant torque acting on an object, meaning it has no angular acceleration

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Torque

The turning effect of a force around a given axis, calculated as the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line of action of the force

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Translational Equilibrium

A state where there is no resultant force acting on an object, meaning it has no translational acceleration

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Translational Motion

Motion in which all particles of an object move in parallel paths

Uniform circular motion

The motion of an object in a circle at a constant speed

velocity

It is the displacement per unit time

work

It is the measure of energy required to apply a force to move an object in the direction of the force

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