Angular Kinematics

I think you will agree there are many similarities between linear and angular kinematics. Some key points to remember are that:

1. Most human body movement involves the rotation of bones around the joint centers or axes of rotation.
2. The angular kinematic quantities (distance and displacement, speed and velocity, and acceleration) possess the same interrelationships as their linear counterparts.
3. Angular kinematic variables may be quantified for the relative angle formed by two body segments articulating at a joint, or for the absolute angular orientation of a single segment with respect to a fixed, horizontal or vertical, reference line.
4. There is a direct relationship between the angular motion characteristics of a segment or body and the curvilinear displacement and velocity of any point on that body. When calculating angular motion from linear motion (or vice versa), the use of radian-based units is necessary.

Note that there are also important relationships between linear and angular acceleration, however the application of these concepts may be less obvious.  Accordingly, the relationships between displacement and velocity should be the focus at this point. 

There will be less quantitative problems for this week but please click on the link below for more practice problems and solutions related to angular kinematics.

Selected problems and solutions