Question about rotational energy.

In summary, the objects in order of increasing rotational energy are: thin cylindrical shell, solid sphere, solid cylinder, thin rod, thin spherical shell. It is important to calculate the moments of inertia for each object before ranking their energies, which can be done using the equation E = (1/2)Iw^2.
  • #1
physicsbro
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Homework Statement


Five objects of equal mass are shown below together with the axis about which they are rotating. Select the objects in order of increasing rotational energy

Solid Sphere, about any diameter, with R = 3 m and ω=5 rad/s


Thin rod, about axis through center, perpendicular to the length with l = 8 m and ω=6 rad/s


Solid Cylinder, about cylinder axis with R = 3 m and ω=5 rad/s


Thin Spherical shell, about any diameter, with R = 2 m and ω=7 rad/s


Thin cylindrical shell, about cylinder axis with R = 1 m and ω=7 rad/s



Homework Equations



(1/2)Iw^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Most of these have no mass or moment of intertia included and I am not sure how to deal with that.
 
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  • #2
You are supposed to calculate the moments of inertia first. Your textbook must have a table where these are listed. Note that all the masses are the same, therefore you can rank the energies because they will always be

E = (some number)*m
 
  • #3


Based on the given information, the order of increasing rotational energy would be:

1. Thin cylindrical shell, about cylinder axis with R = 1 m and ω=7 rad/s (lowest rotational energy)
2. Solid Sphere, about any diameter, with R = 3 m and ω=5 rad/s
3. Solid Cylinder, about cylinder axis with R = 3 m and ω=5 rad/s
4. Thin rod, about axis through center, perpendicular to the length with l = 8 m and ω=6 rad/s
5. Thin Spherical shell, about any diameter, with R = 2 m and ω=7 rad/s (highest rotational energy)

The formula for rotational energy, (1/2)Iω^2, takes into account the moment of inertia (I) and the angular velocity (ω). For objects with the same mass and angular velocity, the one with the larger moment of inertia will have a higher rotational energy. In this case, the thin cylindrical shell has the smallest moment of inertia due to its smaller radius, followed by the solid sphere and solid cylinder with the same radius but different shapes. The thin rod has a larger moment of inertia due to its longer length, and the thin spherical shell has the largest moment of inertia due to its larger radius. Therefore, the objects can be ordered from lowest to highest rotational energy based on their moment of inertia.
 

FAQ: Question about rotational energy.

What is rotational energy?

Rotational energy is the energy an object possesses due to its rotational motion. It is a form of kinetic energy and is dependent on the object's mass, shape, and angular velocity.

What are some real-life examples of rotational energy?

Some examples of rotational energy include spinning tops, merry-go-rounds, and wind turbines. It is also present in objects like wheels, gears, and flywheels.

How is rotational energy different from linear energy?

Rotational energy involves the movement of an object around an axis, while linear energy is the energy associated with an object's movement in a straight line. Additionally, rotational energy is dependent on an object's moment of inertia, while linear energy is dependent on an object's mass.

Can rotational energy be converted into other forms of energy?

Yes, rotational energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as thermal energy or electrical energy. This can be seen in the operation of generators, where the rotational energy of a turbine is converted into electrical energy.

How is rotational energy calculated?

The formula for calculating rotational energy is: E = 1/2 * I * ω^2, where E is the rotational energy, I is the moment of inertia, and ω is the angular velocity. The moment of inertia is the measure of an object's resistance to rotational motion, and the angular velocity is the rate of change of an object's rotational position.

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