Quick Question about Rotational Energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the angular momentum and rotational energy of two astronauts in space, each with a mass of 77.0 kg, connected by an 11.0 m rope. The angular momentum is determined to be 4573.8 kg·m²/s. The user initially attempts to use the equation for rotational energy, Krot = L²/(2I), but encounters confusion regarding the moment of inertia (I) calculation, mistakenly using 144 instead of the correct value derived from the mass and radius of the system.

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  • Understanding of angular momentum and its calculation
  • Familiarity with the concept of rotational energy
  • Knowledge of moment of inertia for point masses
  • Basic principles of physics in a rotational system
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Two astronauts (Fig. P11.51), each having a mass of 77.0 kg, are connected by a 11.0 m rope of negligible mass. They are isolated in space, orbiting their center of mass at speeds of 5.40 m/s.


(a) Treating the astronauts as particles, calculate the magnitude of the angular momentum.
4573.8 kgm2/s
(b) Calculate the rotational energy of the system.

What is the equation for rotational energy of a system...I thought it was Krot = L^2/(2I) which for this problem would have been (4573.8^2)/(2 x 144 x 5.5^2) but this is not correct. I though 2 I would be equal to 2MR as the astronauts are like a hollow disk rotating in the air
 
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wow..never mind 2x77 is 154 and not 144 lol

thanks for looking
 

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