Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
  1. Home
  2. Search

Refine search

Refine search

Access:
Content type:
Publication date:
Apply   From and To filters
Subject: Show more
Journals Show more
Publishers: Show more
Societies Show more
Series: Show more
Collections: Show more

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
Cancel
×

3 results

  • 9 - Rigid Bodies

  • David Tong, University of Cambridge
  • Book:
    Classical Mechanics
    Published online:
    26 June 2025
    Print publication:
    19 June 2025, pp 229-273

  • Summary

    Much of classical mechanics treats particles as infinitesimally small. But most of our world is not like this. Planets and cats and tennis balls are not infinitesimally small, but have an extended size and this can be important for many applications. The purpose of this chapter is to understand how to describe the complicated motion of extended objects as they tumble and turn.

  • 14 - Rigid-Body Dynamics

  • Don Koks
  • Book:
    Rotation Sequences and the Theory of Vectors and Coordinates
    Published online:
    17 April 2025
    Print publication:
    24 April 2025, pp 447-487

  • Summary

    Rigid-body dynamics uses vectors heavily, and in particular the angular velocity vector described in a previous chapter. I derive the main quantities and results of the subject: angular momentum, moment of inertia, torque, and the relevant conservation laws. Examples are the spinning top and precessing bicycle wheel. I also provide a detailed calculation of Earth’s precession period arising from the gravity of the Sun and Moon.

Rotation Sequences and the Theory of Vectors and Coordinates
  • Don Koks
  • Published online:
    17 April 2025
    Print publication:
    24 April 2025
  • This book applies rotation theory to problems involving vectors and coordinates, with an approach that combines easily visualised procedures with smart mathematics. It constructs rotation theory from the ground up, building from basic geometry through to the motion and attitude equations of rockets, and the tensor analysis of relativity. The author replaces complicated pictures of superimposed axes with a simple and intuitive procedure of rotating a model aircraft, to create rotation sequences that are easily turned into mathematics. He combines the best of the 'active' and 'passive' approaches to rotation into a single coherent theory, and discusses many potential traps for newcomers. This volume will be useful to astronomers and engineers sighting planets and satellites, computer scientists creating graphics for movies, and aerospace engineers designing aircraft; also to physicists and mathematicians who study its abstract aspects.