Is angular frequency absolute?

In summary, angular frequency is an absolute quantity that is defined as the rate of change of angular displacement and is measured in radians per second. It is different from linear frequency, which measures back and forth motion in a straight line, and can be negative when an object rotates in the opposite direction. Angular frequency is closely related to angular velocity, but not the same, and is not affected by the mass of an object.
  • #1
Michio Cuckoo
84
0
I want to treat this from a purely classical stance, ignoring all quantum and relativistic effects.

If a body is undergoing centripetal acceleration, is the magnitude of the centripetal force absolute?

If so, is its angular frequency also absolute?
 
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  • #2
Yes to all.
 
  • #3
kmarinas86 said:
Yes to all.

Gee thanks.

It took 197 users to view this before someone could answer.

That means you are the 0.5%.
 
  • #4
Michio Cuckoo said:
Gee thanks.

It took 197 users to view this before someone could answer.

That means you are the 0.5%.

The other 196 were probably guests who don't even have an account here on PF.
 
  • #5


From a purely classical perspective, the magnitude of the centripetal force is indeed absolute. This means that regardless of the reference frame or observer, the centripetal force acting on a body undergoing circular motion will remain the same. This is because the centripetal force is dependent on the mass, velocity, and radius of the circular motion, which are all absolute quantities.

Similarly, the angular frequency of a body undergoing circular motion is also absolute. This is because angular frequency is defined as the rate at which an object rotates around a fixed axis, and is dependent on the angular velocity and radius of the circular motion. These quantities are also absolute and will remain the same regardless of the reference frame.

It is important to note that while the magnitude of the centripetal force and the angular frequency are absolute, their directions can change depending on the reference frame. This is due to the concept of relative motion, where an observer's perspective can affect the perceived direction of a force.

In conclusion, from a purely classical standpoint, the magnitude of the centripetal force and the angular frequency are both absolute quantities, but their directions may vary depending on the reference frame.
 

FAQ: Is angular frequency absolute?

Is angular frequency an absolute quantity?

Yes, angular frequency is an absolute quantity. It is defined as the rate of change of angular displacement and is measured in radians per second. It does not depend on any external factors and remains constant in a given system.

How is angular frequency different from linear frequency?

Angular frequency is a measure of how quickly an object rotates or moves in a circular path, while linear frequency is a measure of how often an object moves back and forth in a straight line. Angular frequency is measured in radians per second, while linear frequency is measured in hertz (cycles per second).

Can angular frequency be negative?

Yes, angular frequency can be negative. A negative angular frequency indicates that an object is rotating in the opposite direction of a positive angular frequency. This is often seen in systems with rotating objects that change direction, such as pendulums or rotating planets.

How is angular frequency related to angular velocity?

Angular frequency and angular velocity are closely related, but not the same. Angular frequency is the rate of change of angular displacement, while angular velocity is the rate of change of angular position. Angular velocity is equal to angular frequency multiplied by the radius of the circular path.

Does angular frequency depend on the mass of an object?

No, angular frequency does not depend on the mass of an object. It is solely dependent on the radius of the circular path and the speed of rotation. This means that two objects with different masses but the same radius and rotational speed will have the same angular frequency.

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