AP Physics C: Mechanics Flashcards: Torque and Work
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How is the work done by a collection of torques on a single rigid system calculated?
The total work done is found by calculating the work associated with the net torque, which is the sum of the individual torques.
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How is the work done by a collection of torques on a single rigid system calculated?
The total work done is found by calculating the work associated with the net torque, which is the sum of the individual torques.
For a constant torque τ, how does the integral $W=\int_{\theta_{1}}^{\theta_{2}}\tau d\theta$ simplify?
For a constant torque, the equation simplifies to W = τ(θ₂ - θ₁) or W = τΔθ, where Δθ is the total angular displacement.
What two factors determine the amount of work done by a torque on a rigid system?
The work done is determined by the magnitude of the torque and the angular displacement of the rigid system during the interval the torque is exerted.
What physical quantity does the area under a torque vs. angular position graph represent?
The area under a torque versus angular position graph represents the work done on the rigid system.
What does the expression $\int \tau d\theta$ represent in the context of rotational motion?
This integral represents the work done on a rigid system by a torque over a specific angular displacement.
Define the work done on a rigid system by a torque.
The work done by a torque is the energy transferred to a rigid system, related to the magnitude of the torque and the angular displacement through which the system rotates.
How can you determine the total work done by a torque from a graph of torque versus angular position?
The work done can be found by calculating the area under the curve of the torque as a function of angular position graph.
If a torque is applied to a rigid system but it does not rotate, how much work is done by the torque?
Zero work is done by the torque because there is no angular displacement (dθ = 0).
Describe the relationship between work done by a torque and the rotation of a rigid system.
Work is done by a torque only when it causes a rigid system to rotate through an angular displacement; no rotation means no work is done.
What is the integral equation for the work (W) done by a variable torque (τ) as a rigid system rotates from angular position θ₁ to θ₂?
The equation for work done by a variable torque is $W=\int_{\theta_{1}}^{\theta_{2}}\tau d\theta$.