Rotational kinetic energy question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the kinetic energy stored in a flywheel designed for a car, which has a radius of 1.90 m and a mass of 487 kg, rotating at 5150 RPM. The kinetic energy formula used is KE=(1/2)Iw^2, where the moment of inertia I for a flywheel is determined to be (1/2)mr^2. The calculated kinetic energy is approximately 1.28E+08 J. Participants also discuss converting horsepower to joules per second to determine how long the car can run before needing to recharge the flywheel. The conversation emphasizes understanding the necessary physics concepts for solving the problem.
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Homework Statement


A car is designed to get its energy from a rotating flywheel with a radius of 1.90 m and a mass of 487 kg. Before a trip, the flywheel is attached to an electric motor, which brings the flywheel's rotational speed up to 5150 revolutions per minute. Find the kinetic energy stored in the flywheel.If the flywheel is to supply energy to the car as would a 11.3 hp motor, how long could the car run before the flywheel would have to be brought back up to speed?


Homework Equations


KE=(1/2)Iw^2


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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physicsbro said:

Homework Statement


A car is designed to get its energy from a rotating flywheel with a radius of 1.90 m and a mass of 487 kg. Before a trip, the flywheel is attached to an electric motor, which brings the flywheel's rotational speed up to 5150 revolutions per minute. Find the kinetic energy stored in the flywheel.If the flywheel is to supply energy to the car as would a 11.3 hp motor, how long could the car run before the flywheel would have to be brought back up to speed?


Homework Equations


KE=(1/2)Iw^2


The Attempt at a Solution




so the ke of the flywheel is?
 
I don't know.
 
physicsbro said:
I don't know.

E_k=\frac{1}{2} I \omega^2


do you know ω? Do you know what I is for a flywheel?
 
Welcome to PF!

Hi physicsbro! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(have an omega: ω and try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)
physicsbro said:
… Find the kinetic energy stored in the flywheel.

KE=(1/2)Iw^2

You need to learn the moment of inertia of the simple shapes …

see eg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_moments_of_inertia" :wink:
 
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I'm not sure if this is right, but this is what i got for ω. i thought it would be 10300π/60s or 539.3 rad/s. I don't what I is for a flywheel, i want to say (1/2)mr^2.
 
I found the KE to be 1.28E+08 J, any hints for the second part of the question?
 
What is 11.3 hp in joules per second?
 
Thanks, i got it.
 
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