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6.2 Work with Torque

Part of Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems in AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

Work with Torque

Just like a force, torque can also transfer energy into or out of a system. Just like how the work done from a force is just the force multiplied by the displacement, the work done from a torque will be the angular equivalent, that being the torque multiplied by the angular displacement.

W=τΔθW=\tau \Delta \theta
  • W{W} represents the work done by the torque
  • τ{\tau} is the torque
  • Δθ{\Delta \theta} is the angular displacement of an rigid body when the force was exerted

From this equation, it can also be derived that the work done can be found from the area bounded by a torque v. angle graph.

MCQ Reading Checkpoint

Just like from Unit 3, you know that energy is always conserved. A rigid body starts at rest, to which a torque of τ{\tau} is exerted on it over an angular displacement of θ{\theta}. The rigid body has a rotational inertia of I{I}. Which equation shows the final angular velocity, ω{\omega}, after this torque is exerted over the angular displacement?

Choose the best option:

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