Motorcycle Rotational problems

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the vertical height a motorcycle and rider can reach while coasting up a hill, using the principles of kinetic energy and rotational inertia. The user initially attempted to equate total kinetic energy (translational and rotational) to gravitational potential energy but encountered difficulties with the calculations. Clarifications were made regarding the use of the motorcycle's center of mass and the correct formulation of the height equation. It was suggested to simplify the equation by excluding the additional height of the center of mass, focusing solely on the height increase. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying the principles of energy conservation in rotational dynamics.
hellothere123
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Homework Statement



1) A 320 kg motorcycle includes two wheels, each of which is 52 cm in diameter and has rotational inertia 2.1 kg·m2. The cycle and its 73 kg rider are coasting at 82 km/h on a flat road when they encounter a hill. If the cycle rolls up the hill with no applied power and no significant internal friction, what vertical height will it reach?

The Attempt at a Solution



for 1) I did the total kinetic energy(translational and rotational) to equal mgh, and that didnt work am i missing something?
so i had .5(393)(82*(1000/3600))^2 + .5(2.1)(82*(1000/3600)/.26)^2 = mgh

Any help would be greatly appreciated, i would like to learn how to do this..
 
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Hint: You are given the rotational inertia of each wheel. (Your basic approach is fine.)
 
so i thought i would multiply everything by 2 for each wheel, but still get it wrong.. am i doing anything else wrong?
 
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hellothere123 said:
so i thought i would multiply everything by 2 for each wheel, but still get it wrong.. am i doing anything else wrong?
If you show your corrected equation we can check. What are you using for m?
 
i will change the numbers slightly to match a different problem that i have the solution for so i can see where i went wrong.
not much difference: A 320 kg motorcycle includes two wheels, each of which is 52 cm in diameter and has rotational inertia 2.1 kg·m2. The cycle and its 75 kg rider are coasting at 85 km/h on a flat road when they encounter a hill. If the cycle rolls up the hill with no applied power and no significant internal friction, what vertical height will it reach?

from .5mv^2 + Iw^2 = mgh

with numbers:
.5(395)(85*(1000/3600))^2 + 2.1([85*(1000/3600)]/.26)^2 = (395)(9.8)(h+.26)
 
hellothere123 said:
from .5mv^2 + Iw^2 = mgh

with numbers:
.5(395)(85*(1000/3600))^2 + 2.1([85*(1000/3600)]/.26)^2 = (395)(9.8)(h+.26)
The only part I would question is where you put "h + .26". Just use "h", which will give you the height increase of the motorcycle. (I suspect that's all they want.)
 
yea.. you are right. but to my understanding.. isn't it to the height of the center of mass? so i would have thought i should include the .26 but i guess not.. thanks.
 
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