6.2 Torque and Work

Describe the work done on a rigid system by a given torque or collection of torques.

• A torque can transfer energy into or out of an object or rigid system if the torque is exerted over an angular displacement.
• The amount of work done on a rigid system by a torque is related to the magnitude of that torque and the angular displacement through which the rigid system rotates during the interval in which that torque is exerted. Relevant equation:
• Work done on a rigid system by a given torque can be found from the area under the curve of a graph of torque as a function of angular position. TOPIC 6.3 Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse