Mechanics

Rolling Kinetic Energy

Total kinetic energy of a rolling object is the sum of translational and rotational kinetic energies.

Variables

KE
Total kinetic energy
Combined translational and rotational KE
J
m
Mass
Mass of rolling object
kg
v
Velocity
Center of mass velocity
m/s
I
Moment of inertia
About center of mass
kg·m²
ω
Angular velocity
Rate of rotation
rad/s

Derivation

KE_total = KE_trans + KE_rot = ½mv² + ½Iω². For rolling without slipping, v = ωR.

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