10.4 Moment of Inertia and Rotational Kinetic Energy

Rotational motion adds a twist to energy concepts. We'll spin through kinetic energy's two forms: translational and rotational. Both depend on mass and velocity, but rotational energy considers how mass is distributed around the axis of rotation.

Moment of inertia is the star of the rotational show. It measures an object's resistance to rotational acceleration, like a flywheel in an engine. The distribution of mass affects an object's moment of inertia, influencing its rotational behavior.

Rotational Motion and Energy

Rotational vs translational kinetic energy

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• Translational kinetic energy $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$ depends on mass $m$ and linear velocity $v$ (car moving along a straight road)
• Rotational kinetic energy $KE_{rot} = \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$ depends on moment of inertia $I$ and angular velocity $\omega$ (spinning figure skater)
• Both forms of kinetic energy measured in joules (J) and are scalar quantities
• Total kinetic energy is the sum of translational and rotational kinetic energies (rolling wheel)

Moment of inertia fundamentals

• Moment of inertia $I$ measures an object's resistance to rotational acceleration (flywheel in an engine)
• $I = \sum mr^2$ for discrete particles, where $m$ is mass and $r$ is distance from the axis of rotation
• $I = \int r^2 dm$ for continuous objects, where $dm$ is an infinitesimal mass element
• Objects with more mass farther from the axis of rotation have higher moment of inertia (figure skater with arms extended)
• Higher moment of inertia results in greater resistance to rotational acceleration
• Moment of inertia depends on the axis of rotation
  • Parallel-axis theorem $I = [I_{CM}](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:I_{CM}) + Md^2$ relates moment of inertia about any axis to the moment of inertia about the center of mass axis $I_{CM}$, total mass $M$, and distance between axes $d$

Energy Conservation and Rotational Dynamics

Impact of inertia on rotational energy

• Increasing moment of inertia while maintaining angular velocity increases rotational kinetic energy (figure skater pulling arms in during a spin)
• Decreasing moment of inertia while maintaining angular velocity decreases rotational kinetic energy
• If moment of inertia changes and rotational kinetic energy remains constant, angular velocity must change to compensate
  • Decreasing $I$ increases $\omega$, while increasing $I$ decreases $\omega$ (figure skater extending arms to slow down spin)
• Angular momentum $L = I\omega$ is conserved in the absence of external torques

Conservation in combined motion systems

• Total mechanical energy [E = KE + KE_{rot} + PE](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:E_=_KE_+_KE_{rot}_+_PE) includes translational kinetic energy $KE$, rotational kinetic energy $KE_{rot}$, and potential energy $PE$
• In the absence of non-conservative forces, total mechanical energy is conserved [E_i = E_f](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:E_i_=_E_f) (roller coaster at different heights)
• Solve problems by equating initial and final total mechanical energy, considering changes in translational and rotational kinetic energy as well as potential energy
• Account for energy transfers between translational, rotational, and potential forms (yo-yo rolling down a ramp)
• The work-energy theorem relates the work done on a system to its change in kinetic energy

Angular velocity in non-ideal rotations

• Angular velocity $\omega = \frac{d\theta}{dt}$ is the rate of change of angular displacement $\theta$ with respect to time
• In the presence of non-conservative forces, mechanical energy is not conserved
• Work done by non-conservative forces, such as friction, reduces the total mechanical energy of the system (sliding block coming to rest due to friction)
• To calculate angular velocity with non-conservative forces:
  1. Calculate the work done by non-conservative forces $[W_{nc}](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:W_{nc})$
  2. Subtract $W_{nc}$ from the initial total mechanical energy to determine the final total mechanical energy
  3. Use the final total mechanical energy to solve for the final angular velocity, considering the moment of inertia and any changes in potential energy (spinning top slowing down due to air resistance and friction at the point of contact)

Rotational Dynamics

• Torque $\tau = r \times F$ is the rotational equivalent of force, causing rotational acceleration
• Rotational acceleration $\alpha = \frac{d\omega}{dt}$ is the rate of change of angular velocity
• Newton's Second Law for rotation: $\tau = I\alpha$, relating torque, moment of inertia, and rotational acceleration