Just as we did with translational motion for point particles, we can use rotational dynamics and rotational kinematics to describe how forces act to cause extended objects to rotate. We can also combine our translational and rotational frameworks to describe multiple systems of objects that both move and rotate. Putting together the translational and rotational versions of Newton’s laws, there are three types of systems we will focus on:
- A single extended object in static equilibrium.
- A system composed of a single extended object that is capable of both translational and rotational motion.
- A system of multiple objects, some of which move translationally, others which rotate.
As we will see, all three of these systems will require setting up equations for both `\Sigma \vec{F} = m \vec{a}` and `\Sigma \vec{\tau} = I \vec{\alpha}` as part of the problem solving process.
