- #1
jonahsaltzman
- 3
- 0
Homework Statement
Not actually a problem, I'm just curious why: when calculating total kinetic energy during rolling, you have the translational kinetic energy=0.5mv^2, and the rotational KE=0.5Iω^2. But then ω=v/r, so rotational KE=0.5I(v/r)^2. And for some reason, the v in both equations are equal when the wheel is rolling. I thought the tangential velocity changes depending on where on the wheel the spot is - i.e., on the top, the velocity of a point is 2x the velocity of the center of mass.
Homework Equations
KEtranslation=0.5mv^2
KErotation=0.5Iω^2
The Attempt at a Solution
Does it have something to do with the fact that the arc length θ traveled by the wheel equals the translational distance traveled?
Thanks!