Question

Each wheel is a solid disk of mass 2.0 kg. On the horizontal surfaces the center of mass of each wheel moves with a linear speed of 6.0 m/s.

(a1) What is the algebraic expression for the total kinetic energy KEtotal of the rolling wheel? Express your answer in terms of the mass m of the wheel and the linear speed v of the center of mass of the wheel.

KEtotal =

How can I find the expression?

Answer 1

(1/2) m v^2 + (1/2) I omega^2
but
omega = v/R
so
(1/2) m v^2 + (1/2) I v^2/R^2
but I
I = (1/2) m R^2
so
(1/2) m v^2 + (1/2)(1/2) m R^2 v^2/R^2
etc