Rotational Kinetic Energy -> Lightning Speed Running?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a solid cylindrical flywheel with a specified mass and radius, rotating at a high rate. The original poster is exploring the conversion of the flywheel's rotational kinetic energy into linear speed for a person, given their mass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the moment of inertia and rotational kinetic energy, then equate this energy to kinetic energy to find a running speed. They question the validity of their approach and express confusion about the resulting speed being unrealistic.

Discussion Status

Some participants acknowledge the calculations but highlight the impracticality of the scenario, suggesting that while the math may be correct, the assumptions about carrying a heavy flywheel are questionable. The discussion is ongoing with no clear consensus on the approach or the assumptions made.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the unrealistic nature of the scenario, particularly regarding the physical feasibility of running with a 200 kg flywheel and the implications of such high rotational speeds.

eraemia
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Homework Statement



Suppose a solid cylindrical flywheel has a mass of 200 kg and a radius of 0.8 m and rotates at a rate of 15,000 revolutions per minute. If you were able to convert all of its rotational kinetic energy into making you run, how fast would you be going? (Assume your mass is about 65 kg).

Homework Equations



Conversion from revolutions to rad:
1 rev/s = 2*pi*rad/s

Moment of inertia of solid cylinder:
I = (1/2)MR^2

Rotational kinetic energy of a rotating object:
Krot = (1/2)Iw^2

Kinetic energy:
K = (1/2)mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution



M = 200 kg is mass of solid cylindrical flywheel
m = 65 kg is my mass
R = 0.8m
w = 15000 rev/min = 250 rev/s = 500*pi*rad/s

Find moment of inertia of solid cylindrical flywheel:
I = (1/2)MR^2
I = (1/2)(200 kg)(0.8)^2
I = 64 kg*m

Find rotational kinetic energy of solid cylindrical flywheel:
Krot = (1/2)Iw^2
Krot = (1/2)(64 kg*m)(500*pi*rad/s)^2
Krot = 7.9 * 10^7 J

If Krot = K, then solve for v:
Krot = K = 7.9 * 10^7 J
K = (1/2)mv^2
v = sqrroot[ (2K) / m]
v = sqrroot[ (2*7.9*10^7 J) / 65 kg ]
v = 1559 = 1600 m/s

Can I set Krot = K like that? Is my approach to this problem correct? Thanks a lot for the help!
EDIT: The velocity figure looks weird...Nobody can run that fast... Where did I make a mistake?
 
Last edited:
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Or do I find v with v = rw? (but that wouldn't relate to energy? I'm terribly confused)
 
That is the correct way to do it ( haven't checked arithmateic)
Nobody can run that fast, but they also can't carry a 200kg flywheel running spinning at 250Hz! Large flywheels store a lot of energy - and can dump it very quickly.
 
Thanks for your help!
 

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