Rotational Kinetic Energy of bicycle wheels

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around the calculation of the fraction of total kinetic energy that is attributed to the rotational kinetic energy of bicycle wheels, given specific parameters such as wheel radius, rotational inertia, and total mass of the bicycle and rider.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulas for rotational and linear kinetic energy, with one participant attempting to derive a relationship between them. There is a focus on simplifying the equations and understanding the dependency on angular velocity.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring the calculations and questioning the results they are obtaining. There is an acknowledgment of the need to clarify assumptions, such as the number of wheels on a bicycle, which may impact the calculations.

Contextual Notes

One participant expresses uncertainty about their calculations, indicating a possible misunderstanding or miscalculation in the context of the problem. There is a request for clarification on the number of wheels, which is a fundamental aspect of the problem setup.

rugbygirl
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
A bicycle has wheels of radius 0.33 m. Each wheel has a rotational inertia of 0.082 kg* m2 about its axle. The total mass of the bicycle including the wheels and the rider is 74 kg. When coasting at constant speed, what fraction of the total kinetic energy of the bicycle (including rider) is the rotational kinetic energy of the wheels?

I thought this: Rotational KE = (1/2)Iw^2
=(1/2)(second bold number)w^2

Linear KE= (1/2)mv^2
= (1/2)(third bold number)(radius*w)^2 (i.e. plug in r*w for v)
Total KE is equal to Rotational KE + Linear KE
add the two eqns
(1/2)Iw^2/ (some # * w^2)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
i think you are correct
eventually one takes away the w^2 in both numerator and denominator, then gets a result independent of w
 
i keep getting .041/4.07 and that is not right
 
How many wheels does a bicycle have?

Please post in the HW forums.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
Replies
67
Views
5K