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Physics HL

SLHL

Chapter 5: Rigid Body Mechanics

Build rotational thinking from angular kinematics to torque balance, rotational dynamics, rolling motion, and angular momentum conservation.

Estimated chapter time: 140 minutes

IB syllabus: A.4 · HL only

Chapter Topics

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  1. 1How to Read Chapter 5
    1. 1.1From Point Particles to Extended Bodies
    2. 1.2The Three Questions to Ask in Every Problem
    3. 1.3What This Chapter Covers
  2. 25.1 Angular Kinematics
    1. 2.1Angular Displacement and Angular Velocity
    2. 2.2Angular Acceleration and Constant-Alpha Equations
      1. 2.2.1Linking Angular and Linear Motion
  3. 35.2 Torque and Rotational Equilibrium
    1. 3.1Torque as Turning Effect
    2. 3.2Static Equilibrium Conditions
    3. 3.3Diagram-First Torque Mapping
    4. 3.4Interactive Torque Balance
  4. 45.3 Rotational Dynamics and Moment of Inertia
    1. 4.1From Newton's Second Law to Rotation
    2. 4.2Why Mass Distribution Matters
    3. 4.3Rotational Kinetic Energy
    4. 4.4Coupled Translation-Rotation on Slopes
  5. 55.4 Rolling Without Slipping
    1. 5.1The No-Slip Constraint
    2. 5.2Energy Sharing in Rolling Systems
    3. 5.3When the No-Slip Condition Fails
  6. 65.5 Angular Momentum and Conservation
    1. 6.1Angular Momentum for Rigid Rotation
    2. 6.2Torque, Angular Impulse, and Change in L
    3. 6.3Chapter 5 Wrap-Up

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