- #1
phantomvommand
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The conservation of energy equation is basically GPE is converted to KE of block and KE of cylinder.
To get the correct answer, the KE of the cylinder is 1/2mv^2, where m is its mass and v is the velocity of its COM (which is the centre of cylinder).
However, I viewed the cylinder as rotating about the point of contact with the step, and thus thought that its KE was 1/2Iw^2, where I = 3/2mr^2 (by parallel axis theorem), and rw = v, where v is the velocity of the centre of mass.
Why is my calculation of KE for the cylinder wrong?
Thank you for your help.
This problem can be found in Jaan Kalda's Mechanics problems, or in SS Krotov's Aptitude Test Problems.