How Do You Calculate the Kinetic Energy of a Rotating CD?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The kinetic energy of a rotating CD can be calculated using the formula for rotational kinetic energy, which incorporates the moment of inertia and angular velocity. For a 12g CD with a radius of 6cm rotating at 38 rad/s, the correct approach involves using the moment of inertia instead of linear velocity. The final kinetic energy, calculated correctly, is approximately 0.0156 joules, which should be expressed with appropriate significant digits to avoid inaccuracies in reporting.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational motion and angular velocity
  • Familiarity with the moment of inertia concept
  • Knowledge of significant figures in scientific calculations
  • Basic proficiency in unit conversions (grams to kilograms, centimeters to meters)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the formula for rotational kinetic energy: K = 1/2 I ω²
  • Learn how to calculate the moment of inertia for different shapes, including disks
  • Review the principles of significant figures in physics calculations
  • Explore unit conversion techniques for mass and distance in physics problems
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on rotational dynamics, as well as educators looking to clarify concepts of kinetic energy and moment of inertia.

eagles12
Messages
76
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A 12g CD with a radius of 6cm rotates with an angular speed of 38 rad/s. What is kinetic energy?

Homework Equations



k=1/2mv^2
v=rw

The Attempt at a Solution



v=(6)(38)=228
K=1/2(12)(228^2)
K=311904
but its saying this is the incorrect answer
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It says that the CD rotates, so you are much better off modeling under angular speeds rather than constantly changing translational speeds (e.g. particles x distance from center of rotating disk.) When deriving these equations a term shows up which is called the moment of inertia. Have you gone over this?
 
eagles12 said:

Homework Statement



A 12g CD with a radius of 6cm rotates with an angular speed of 38 rad/s. What is kinetic energy?

Homework Equations



k=1/2mv^2
v=rw

The Attempt at a Solution



v=(6)(38)=228
K=1/2(12)(228^2)
K=311904
but its saying this is the incorrect answer

You are dealing with rotational motion, so you want rotational kinetic energy. This will involve the mass moment of inertia of the CD and angular velocity. Be careful about units, they have to be consistent; Work with meters and kilograms.
 
using this i got k=.0156 but this seems too small
 
eagles12 said:
using this i got k=.0156 but this seems too small

Too small for what? And what are the units. Everything in physics has units.
 
the units are joules
 
eagles12 said:
the units are joules

Well then, the result looks reasonable :smile:
 
i had to use two significant digits but it said my answer was incorrect
 
eagles12 said:
i had to use two significant digits but it said my answer was incorrect

What was your answer? Did it require units as well?
 
  • #10
my answer was .02 the units were already given
 
  • #11
eagles12 said:
my answer was .02 the units were already given

The leading zero is not a significant digit.
 
  • #12
Rounded to the nearest hundredth, that should be correct. But as gneill stated, that is only one significant digit.

maureenw002 said:
you are much better off modeling under angular speeds rather than constantly changing translational speedshttp://www.infoocean.info/avatar1.jpg

Bot/Troll?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
got it thanks!
 
  • #14
Sefrez said:
Rounded to the nearest hundredth, that should be correct. But as gneill stated, that is only one significant digit.


Bot/Troll?
Spammer was banned. Please hit the "report" button to report a post if it looks fishy.
 

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K