What is the moment of inertia of the flywheel?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the moment of inertia of a flywheel that stores 4.4 MJ of energy at 21,300 RPM. The user initially converts the RPM to radians per second but incorrectly calculates the moment of inertia, arriving at 1.77E-3 kgm². They consider using the total energy equation, Ktrans + Krot, to find the moment of inertia but struggle with the translational velocity component. A participant points out a critical error in the user's energy conversion, clarifying that 4.4 MJ equals 4.4 x 10^6 J, not 4400 J. The user acknowledges the mistake and expresses the need for a break, highlighting the importance of careful unit conversion in physics calculations.
bikeeich
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Homework Statement



An energy storage system based on a flywheel (a rotating disk) can store a maximum of 4.4 MJ when the flywheel is rotating at 21,300 revolutions per minute. What is the moment of inertia of the flywheel?

Homework Equations



K= Ktranslational + Krotational
Krot= (1/2)Iω^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I solved 21,300 rev/min to be equal to 2.23E3 rad/s
I then tried to use this as angular acceleration in the Krot equation to solve for moment of inertia and got 1.77E-3 kgm^2, which was incorrect. I'm wondering if I need to set 4400J= Ktrans + Krot, to solve for I (moment of inertia) but if so I can't figure out how to solve for velocity in the Ktrans equation.
 
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bikeeich said:
I solved 21,300 rev/min to be equal to 2.23E3 rad/s
OK.

I then tried to use this as angular acceleration in the Krot equation to solve for moment of inertia and got 1.77E-3 kgm^2, which was incorrect.
Looks like you're off by a few powers of 10. Do that calculation over.

I'm wondering if I need to set 4400J= Ktrans + Krot, to solve for I (moment of inertia) but if so I can't figure out how to solve for velocity in the Ktrans equation.
No, you're on the right track.
 
I tried again and got the same answer. I'm sure I have a stupid mistake somewhere
Is it incorrect that 4.4MJ = 4400 J?
 
bikeeich said:
I tried again and got the same answer. I'm sure I have a stupid mistake somewhere
Is it incorrect that 4.4MJ = 4400 J?

4.4MJ = 4.4x10^6 J. 4400J is 4.4x10^3 J, or 4.4 kJ. :)
 
WOW. I might need to take a break. Thank you for the correction help!
 
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