Final answer:
A net torque applied to an object causes angular acceleration, as per the relationship τ = Iα, which is the rotational analog to Newton's second law of motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
A net torque applied to an object causes angular acceleration. This is because torque (τ) is the rotational equivalent of force in linear motion. Torque is calculated as the product of the moment of inertia (I) and the angular acceleration (α), as indicated in the equation τ = Iα. In situations where the net torque is not zero, as in most rotational motion scenarios, the object experiences angular acceleration proportional to the net torque applied. This is analogous to Newton's second law of motion, which states that the linear acceleration of a rigid body is proportional to the net force acting on it.