The usual approach to the teaching of rotational motion in the introductory college physics course emphasizes centripetal acceleration and the rotation of rigid bodies about fixed axes.
The approach outlined below may be used to extend, and in part to supersede, the usual approach. It is intended to strengthen the student's insight into the concept of angular momentum, and his understanding of the orbital motion and orbital stability of planets and satellites. An analysis of the system is based on energy considerations and on a frame of reference which rotates with the system.
An apparatus is described by means of which one may demonstrate many of the characteristics of orbital motion and central forces.
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© 1962 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1962
American Association of Physics Teachers
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