Calculating Rotational Kinetic Energy of a Clock's Hands

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the rotational kinetic energy of a clock's hands, specifically an hour hand and a minute hand treated as long thin rods. The user initially used the incorrect formula for rotational kinetic energy, omitting the necessary factor of 1/2. After calculating the rotational velocities for both hands, they realized their mistake in not squaring the velocities in the kinetic energy equation. Correcting this error led to the resolution of the problem, confirming that the initial answer was indeed double the expected value. The final calculation aligns with the correct application of the rotational kinetic energy formula.
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[SOLVED] Energy in Rotational Motion

There is a clock that has an hour hand 2.7m long with a mass of 60 kg. The minute hand is 4.5m log with a mass of 100 kg. What is the total rotational kinetic energy assuming the hands act as long thin rods?



K=I*rotation vel.^2
I=(1/3) ML^2 ( I think this is the right equation to use)



Ok so first I found the rotational velocities. The minute hand move 1 rev./60min and the hour hand moves 1rev/12hrs. Next I converted them into rads/sec. giving a rotational velocity of .000145444 rads/sec for the first one and .001745329 rads/sec on the second.
Then I went back and plugged in all the numbers for the K equation. [(1/3)*60*2.7^2*.000145444] + [(1/3)*100*4.5^2*.001745329]. This gave me an answer of .00206. This answer is about double what the answer should be (.00103). The only place I thik I may have gone wrong is at the (1/3). Should it (1/6) because the rods are pivoting in between the center of mass (which would use (1/12)) and the end (which is the (1/3) that I used)? Could someone please help me see where I went wrong?
 
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At first glance, I noticed you did not square your rotational velocities.
 
Rotational kinetic energy is \frac{1}{2}*I*\omega^{2}, so I think that's where you're getting twice the intended answer.
 
Thank you! I hadn't taken the 1/2 into consideration! That solves it!
 
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