Rotational Kinetic Energy
Learning Objectives
1. Be able to calculate rotational kinetic energy from .
2. Be able to use rotational kinetic energy to solve conservation of energy problems.
openstax 10.4
Key Terms
| | Definition | SI Units | Symbol and Equation |
| Rotational Kinetic Eneryg | The Angle through which an object spins | Joules | \(KE_{rotational}=\frac{1}{2} I \omega^2\) |
If an object’s center of mass is moving it has translational kinetic energy or \(KE=\frac{1}{2} mv^2\). If an object is rotating it has rotational kinetic energy or \(KE_{rotational}=\frac{1}{2} I \omega^2\). Watch the video below to see how rotational kinetic energy fits into our ideas for conservation of energy.
Example Problem Openstax 10.4 #28
A ball with an initial velocity of 8.00 m/s rolls up a hill without slipping. Treating the ball as a spherical shell, calculate the vertical height it reaches. (b) Repeat the calculation for the same ball if it slides up the hill without rolling.
Solution Video