Rotational kinetic energy of a solid disk

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equations related to the rotational kinetic energy of a solid disk and the moment of inertia. Participants explore the definitions, formulas, and potential sources of confusion regarding these concepts, particularly in the context of calculating kinetic energy for a flywheel.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference equations for kinetic energy, specifically Kinetic Energy = 1/2*I*w^2, and discuss the moment of inertia I = k*M*R^2, where k is an inertial constant that varies by shape.
  • One participant notes a potential confusion regarding the notation for angular velocity, suggesting that w^2 could be misinterpreted as w*2.
  • Another participant confirms the correctness of the formulas quoted from external sources, while also pointing out a more general definition of moment of inertia involving a tensor.
  • There is a suggestion that calculating the kinetic energy of a flywheel can be expressed as Wk = m*r^2*rpm^2/4, but further clarification on the constant is deemed necessary.
  • One participant provides a conversion method for translating RPM to radians per second, emphasizing the importance of unit consistency in calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of certainty regarding the correctness of the equations and definitions. While some agree on the validity of the formulas, others highlight potential ambiguities and misunderstandings, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved on certain points.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the clarity of notation and the definitions of terms used in the discussion. The dependence on specific shapes for the inertial constant k and the need for unit conversions are also noted as areas requiring careful consideration.

gfhfgh
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Hi,
on the net I found some equation, and would like to know if they are correct ones.


http://www.upei.ca/~physics/p261/projects/flywheel1/flywheel1.htm
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/rke.html

Physics:
Stored energy = sum of kinetic energy of individual mass elements that comprise the flywheel
Kinetic Energy = 1/2*I*w2 , where
I = moment of inertia (ability of an obeject to resist changes in its rotational velocity)
w = rotational velocity (rpm)
I = k*M*R2 (M=mass; R=radius); k = inertial constant (depends on shape)
Inertial constants for different shapes:
Wheel loaded at rim (bike tire); k = 1
solid disk of uniform thickness; k = 1/2
solid sphere; k = 2/5
spherical shell; k = 2/3
thin rectangular rod; k = 1/2


But I searched for that "I" (inertia momentum) on the Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia and there is not like it say above "I=k*m*w2"
 
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gfhfgh said:
Hi,
on the net I found some equation, and would like to know if they are correct ones.


http://www.upei.ca/~physics/p261/projects/flywheel1/flywheel1.htm
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/rke.html

Physics:
Stored energy = sum of kinetic energy of individual mass elements that comprise the flywheel
Kinetic Energy = 1/2*I*w2 , where
I = moment of inertia (ability of an obeject to resist changes in its rotational velocity)
w = rotational velocity (rpm)
I = k*M*R2 (M=mass; R=radius); k = inertial constant (depends on shape)
Inertial constants for different shapes:
Wheel loaded at rim (bike tire); k = 1
solid disk of uniform thickness; k = 1/2
solid sphere; k = 2/5
spherical shell; k = 2/3
thin rectangular rod; k = 1/2


But I searched for that "I" (inertia momentum) on the Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia and there is not like it say above "I=k*m*w2"

Nowhere "above" does it say "I=k*m*w2."

It says I=k*m*R2, apparently meaning
<br /> I=kmR^2<br />
where m is the total mass of the object and R its size, with k being different for differently shaped objects.

There is a more general definition of moment of inertia which you may have found on Wikipedia in terms of a "Moment of inertia tensor." The values of I listed above are the diagonal entries of that tensor.
 
I can't find the formula you refer to on Wikipedia, but the formulae you quote from the other websites are indeed correct.
 
I would be cautious about saying that, for example

Kinetic Energy = 1/2*I*w2

was correct, as a reader (or perhaps even the original poster might) confuse w2 with w*2 as opposed to w^2, i.e. w*w.

Presumably this was a cut and paste job, and the '^' didn't cut and paste. Still, it's a potential source of confusion.

In any event, one can conclude, correctly, that for an object of fixed shape rotating around a fixed axis, rotational kinetic energy is proportional to w^2, where w is the angular frequency, which seems to be the point of the question if I'm understanding it correctly.
 
olgranpappy said:
Nowhere "above" does it say "I=k*m*w2."

yes, my mistake I was in a hurry!

so if I am calculating the flywheel kinetic energy this formula will be correct;
Wk=m*r^2*rpm^2/4
 
gfhfgh said:
yes, my mistake I was in a hurry!

so if I am calculating the flywheel kinetic energy this formula will be correct;
Wk=m*r^2*rpm^2/4

The kinetic energy in the flywheel will be

E = (some constant) * (rpm)^2

But it will take more work to get "some constant" right.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/tdisc.html

says that

E = (1/2) m r^2 * w^2 when w is measured in radians per second.

If you are using MKS (standard metric) units, E will be in joules, m will be the mass of the flywheel in kg, r will be the radius of the flywheel in meters, and w will be the angular velocity in radians/second.

To convert rpm to radians per second, you'd take

(revolutions / minute) x (2 pi radians / revolution) x (1 minute) / (60 seconds)

i.e w (rad/sec) = (rpm)*(2*pi) / (60)
 

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