Total kinetic energy of a car

In summary, the total kinetic energy of a car with four wheels, each weighing 25kg and having a radius of 0.3m, moving at a speed of 30 m/s is 518 kJ. The mistake in the attempted solution was not squaring the speed in the last term of the equation.
  • #1
fishingspree2
139
0

Homework Statement


The 4 wheels of a car each weigh 25kg and have a radius of 0,3m. Without its wheels, the car weighs 10^3 kg. The wheels are homogenous cylinders. What is the total kinetic energy of the car and the wheels if the car is moving at a speed of 30 m/s?


Homework Equations


[tex]K_{tot}=4(0.5I_{CM}\omega^{2}+0.5MV_{CM}^{2})+K_{car}[/tex]
the first to terms of the last question concern the wheels
[tex]I_{cylinder}=\frac{MR^{2}}{2}[/tex]
[tex]\omega=\frac{V_{CM}}{R}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


replacing omega by V/R, I by MR^2/2 and distributing the 4:
[tex]K_{tot}=MV^{2}+2MV^{2}+\frac{10^{3}\times30}{2}[/tex]
[tex]K_{tot}=25\times30^{2}+50\times30^{2}+\frac{10^{3}\times30}{2}=82,2 \mathrm{kJ}[/tex]
The right answer is 518 kJ

where is the mistake? :(
thank you, sorry for my english
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
fishingspree2 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


replacing omega by V/R, I by MR^2/2 and distributing the 4:
[tex]K_{tot}=MV^{2}+2MV^{2}+\frac{10^{3}\times30}{2}[/tex]

You forgot to square the speed in that last term.
 
  • #3
Thank you very much
sorry for the waste
 

1. What is total kinetic energy?

The total kinetic energy of a car is the sum of its translational and rotational kinetic energies. It represents the energy that the car has due to its motion.

2. How is total kinetic energy calculated?

The total kinetic energy of a car is calculated by multiplying its mass by the square of its velocity, and adding the rotational kinetic energy, which is calculated by multiplying the moment of inertia by the square of the angular velocity.

3. How does the mass of a car affect its total kinetic energy?

The mass of a car has a direct effect on its total kinetic energy. The greater the mass of the car, the greater its total kinetic energy will be at a given velocity.

4. What is the relationship between velocity and total kinetic energy?

The relationship between velocity and total kinetic energy is exponential. As the velocity of a car increases, its total kinetic energy increases at a much faster rate.

5. How does friction affect the total kinetic energy of a car?

Friction can decrease the total kinetic energy of a car by converting some of it into heat. This is why cars slow down over time, as the friction between their tires and the road decreases their kinetic energy.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
853
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
236
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
21
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
279
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
825
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
889
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
868
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
3K
Back
Top