Physlet Illustration: Translational and Rotational Kinetic Energy

 

 

 
m = Grams q = ° 
 
A ball of radius 1.0 m rolls down an incline, as shown. The incline makes an angle q with the horizontal. The linear speed is given in m/s, the angular speed in radians/s, the times shown are in seconds, and the distance grid is in meters. Adjust the mass (100 g < m < 500 g) and/or the angle (10° < q < 30°),  and watch the graph of work done by gravity and rotational and translational kinetic energy vs. distance. Does it all add up?

Hints

  1. Choose any time to pause the animation.
  2. Use the cursor to "measure" the work done by gravity and compare to the kinetic energies.
  3. Is all of the work done by gravity converted into translational kinetic energy?
  4. Is all of the work done by gravity converted into rotational kinetic energy? 

Reference

See Walker, Sections 10-4, 5, & 6

Illustration written by Chuck Niederriter