Rotational Kinetic Energy and moment of inertia

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving rotational kinetic energy and moment of inertia for a solid cylinder rolling without slipping. The original poster seeks to determine the translational kinetic energy of the cylinder's center of mass at a given speed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between translational and rotational motion, particularly in the context of rolling without slipping. Questions arise regarding the necessity of the radius to find the moment of inertia and the implications of the rolling condition.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing hints about the relationship between translational and rotational speeds. There is an acknowledgment of the challenge posed by the absence of the radius, but guidance has been offered to calculate rotational kinetic energy in terms of translational speed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the constraints of the problem, particularly the missing radius and the requirement to understand the implications of rolling without slipping.

Sheneron
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[SOLVED] Rotational Kinetic Energy

Homework Statement



A solid cylinder of mass 14.0 kg rolls without slipping on a horizontal surface.
(a) At the instant its center of mass has a speed of 11.0 m/s, determine the translational kinetic energy of its center of mass.

Homework Equations


I_cm = \frac{1}{2}MR^2
K_R = \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I can't figure out how to find the moment of inertia without have a radius... any hints?
 
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You won't need the radius. Hint: What does "rolls without slipping" imply?
 
That its moving forward and has translational kinetic energy? If that's not it, I do not know what it means.

Also, I found the translational kinetic energy (if that has to deal with the problem) and I am still stuck...
 
"Rolling without slipping" means that the translational and rotational speeds are matched so that the bottom surface doesn't slip with respect to the ground. That condition relates the translational speed to the rotational speed, such that v = \omega r.
 
I understand

But I don't have r...
 
Calculate the rotational KE in terms of the translational speed. (Apply the condition for rolling without slipping.)
 
Ah, I see how the Rs cancel now, thanks.
 

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