Calculating Rotational & Transitional KE of Rolling Cylinder

  • Thread starter Thread starter smilingsteph
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cylinder Rolling
AI Thread Summary
To calculate the rotational and translational kinetic energy of a rolling cylinder, the relationship between angular velocity and linear velocity is crucial. The equation ω = v/r can be used to relate the two, where ω is the angular velocity, v is the linear velocity, and r is the radius of the cylinder. The total kinetic energy is given by KE_tot = 1/2 I ω^2 + 1/2 m v^2. With the known parameters of mass, radius, and height of the ramp, the calculations can be simplified. Utilizing these relationships should help in determining the desired kinetic energies at the bottom of the ramp.
smilingsteph
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
My textbook is not helping me on this, so I'd love some help.

A cylinder is rolling down a ramp, without slipping. I have the total kinetic energy, but now need to know the rotational kinetic energy and transitional kinetic energy at the bottom of the ramp.

I have the mass, radius, length, w, v, and I of the cylinder and the height and length of the ramp. I know it should be super easy at this point, as I know the total energy. But nothing's working. HELP! I have that: KE tot = 1/2 I x w^2 + 1/2 m x v^2. Any guidance?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
smilingsteph said:
My textbook is not helping me on this, so I'd love some help.

A cylinder is rolling down a ramp, without slipping. I have the total kinetic energy, but now need to know the rotational kinetic energy and transitional kinetic energy at the bottom of the ramp.

I have the mass, radius, length, w, v, and I of the cylinder and the height and length of the ramp. I know it should be super easy at this point, as I know the total energy. But nothing's working. HELP! I have that: KE tot = 1/2 I x w^2 + 1/2 m x v^2. Any guidance?
Since the cylinder is rolling without slipping, can you relate the angular velocity to the linear velocity?
 
yes i woudl assume so. v=vo + at to w=wo + alphaT
 
smilingsteph said:
yes i woudl assume so. v=vo + at to w=wo + alphaT
They weren't the equations I was thinking of, there is one equation which directly relates the angular velocity of a cylinder to the linear velocity of the surface of the cylinder.
 
Ohhh really? I was looking online for that and haven't had any luck so far. I'll continue to look! Thanks!
 
smilingsteph said:
Ohhh really? I was looking online for that and haven't had any luck so far. I'll continue to look! Thanks!
Perhaps:

\omega =\frac{v}{r}

would help.
 
ohhh ok thanks! i'll see if that works. THANKS!
 
Back
Top