# Angular Motion

Angular motion is the motion of an object around a fixed axis point, such as a swinging pendulum or an orbiting planet. By convention, measurements of angular motion are considered positive when the motion is counter-clockwise and negative when the motion is clockwise.

## Angular Displacement

Angular displacement ($\theta$) is the change ($\Delta$) in angle in radians ($rad$) of the arc length ($S$) traveled by an object along a circular path. The angular displacement of an arc length equal to the radius ($r$) of a circle is, by definition, $1\ rad$. Angular displacement can therefore be calculated as $\theta = \Delta S/r$, though the $\Delta$ is often omitted for brevity.

Angular displacement is the basis for angular motion because it allows all points on a rotating line to be measured, rather than just a single point by solving for the missing variable in the angular displacement calculation.

Variable Solution
Angular displacement $\theta = S/r$
Arc length $S = r\theta$
Radius $r = S/\theta$

## Angular Velocity

Angular velocity ($\omega$) is the change in angular displacement over the change in time ($t$), or $\omega = \Delta\theta/\Delta t$ (again, the $\Delta$ is often omitted). Essentially, "radians per second".

Angular velocity can be converted to speed (note that speed is not the same as velocity) by substituting arc length for angular displacement. Given $S = r\theta$ and $\omega = \theta/t$, therefore $r\omega = r\theta/ t$ which equals $S/t$ and $S/t$ is distance over time, which is speed.

## Angular Acceleration

Angular acceleration ($\alpha$) is the change in angular velocity over time, or $\alpha=\Delta\omega/\Delta t$. Essentially, "radians per second per second" or "radians per second squared".

Angular acceleration can be converted to tangential acceleration ($A_{tan}$), which is acceleration which doesn't account for the change in direction in circular motion, by substituting arc length for angular displacement. Given $S = r\theta$ and $\alpha=\omega/t$, therefore $r\alpha=r\omega/t$, which is the change in angular velocity over time.

## Conversion Tables

From To Formula
Angular velocity Speed $S/t$ or $r\theta/t$
Angular acceleration Tangential acceleration $r\omega/t$ or $r\theta/t^2$

## Deeper Knowledge on Angular Motion

### Gears

Learn about gears and cogs

### Torque

Learn about torque: Force that causes an object to rotate around an axis.

## Broader Topics Related to Angular Motion

### Physics

The fundamental nature and properties of matter, energy, and motion

### Radian

The angle which subtends an arc equal to the length of the radius of a circle