Angular Impulse

Chapter 13

෍ 𝜏 𝑡 = 𝐼𝜔𝑓 − 𝐼𝜔𝑖 න 𝜏 𝑑𝑡 = 𝐼𝜔𝑓 − 𝐼𝜔𝑖

 Linear and Angular Momentum

• Recall from chapter 8 that linear momentum was defined as

mass x velocity.
𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣

• Angular momentum is defined as moment of inertia x angular

velocity
𝐿 = 𝐼𝜔
• Angular momentum is a vector , the direction of the vector is
defined by the right hand rule.
• The units for angular momentum are kg∙m2/s
• Angular momentum describes the quantity of rotation that a
body possesses.
 Computing Angular Momentum
The diver shown below is rotating with an angular
velocity (𝜔) of −4.2 r/s and a moment of inertia (I) of 5
kg∙m2, compute the magnitude of the divers angular
momentum.
Angular Impulse – Angular Momentum Relationship
• The angular impulse – angular momentum relationship is
derived from Newton’s law of angular acceleration:

Στ = Ι𝛼 𝜔𝑓− 𝜔𝑖
𝛼=
𝜔𝑓− 𝜔𝑖 𝑡
Στ = Ι
𝑡
Στ(t) = I𝜔𝑓 − 𝐼𝜔𝑖
Angular Impulse = change in angular momentum

If you apply a torque over time (angular impulse), it changes the

angular momentum of an object. An angular impulse is
required to make an object spin or stop an object from spinning
An average torque of 3.72 N∙m is applied for a time of t = .9
s to the rigid bar shown below. Determine the final angular
velocity of the bar.
A constant torque of 4.55
N∙m is applied to a rigid bar
with a moment of inertia of
0.8 kg∙m2 and an initial
angular velocity of 0.0 r/s,
determine the final angular
velocity.

What was the angular

impulse that was applied?
To compute the angular impulse
for a non-constant torque the
torque must be integrated with
respect to time:

න 𝜏 𝑑𝑡 = 𝐼𝜔𝑓 − 𝐼𝜔𝑖
After the torque is applied to the
rigid bar the angular velocity
increases to 5.27 r/s. If the rigid bar
has a moment of inertia of 0.8
kg∙m2 what was the final angular
momentum?

If the torque was applied for t = 0.9

s, what was the angular impulse?
Principle of
Conservation
of Angular
Momentum

When gravity
is the only
force acting on
a system the
angular
momentum is
constant.
During the force application
phase the gymnast applies When the gymnast is in the air the
forces against the ground. net torque about the center of mass
The reaction forces cause is zero and as a result angular
torque about the gymnast’s momentum is constant.
center of mass. The net
positive torque creates Is the moment of inertia constant?
Is the angular velocity constant?
positive angular momentum.
Use Excel to compute the angular impulse for each positive and
negative torque phase for the torque curve shown below.
 A Tale of Two Divers

Guo Jingjing
Shaquille O’Neal Height 1.63
Height 2.16 m Mass 49 kg
Mass 147.42 kg ICM = 5.6 kg∙m2
ICM = 29.58 kg∙m2

Each diver will perform a layout back 1 ½ rotation dive from a 10 m

platform, they will be in the air for t = 1.68 s. Compute the
following: 1.) angular velocity required to complete 1 ½ rotations
(9.42 rad), 2.) angular momentum required, 3.) angular impulse
required.