IBPhysicsHLRevision NotesSpace, Time & MotionRigid Body MechanicsRotational Kinetic Energy (HL)

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First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Rotational Kinetic Energy (HL) (HL IB Physics)

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Katie M

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Physics

Rotational Kinetic Energy

  • A body moving with linear velocity has an associated linear kinetic energy given by

E subscript k space equals space 1 half m v squared

E subscript k space equals space fraction numerator p squared over denominator 2 m end fraction

  • Similarly, a rotating body with angular velocity has an associated rotational kinetic energy given by

E subscript k space equals space 1 half I omega squared

E subscript k space equals space fraction numerator L squared over denominator 2 I end fraction

  • Where:
    • E subscript k = rotational kinetic energy (J)
    • I = moment of inertia (kg m2)
    • omega = angular velocity (rad s−1)
    • L = angular momentum (kg m2 s−1)

Rolling without slipping

  • Circular objects, such as wheels, are made to move with both linear and rotational motion
    • For example, the wheels of a car, or bicycle rotate causing it to move forward
  • Rolling motion without slipping is a combination of rotating and sliding (translational) motion
  • When a disc rotates:
    • Each point on the disc has a different linear velocity depending on its distance from the centre open parentheses v space proportional to space r close parentheses
    • The linear velocity is the same at all points on the circumference 
  • When a disc slips, or slides:
    • There is not enough friction present to allow the object to roll
    • Each point on the object has the same linear velocity
    • The angular velocity is zero
  • So, when a disc rolls without slipping:
    • There is enough friction present to initiate rotational motion allowing the object to roll
    • The point in contact with the surface has a velocity of zero
    • The centre of mass has a velocity of v space equals space omega r
    • The top point has a velocity of 2 v or 2 omega r

E16CHGH6_1-4-9-rotational-kinetic-energy-rolling-without-slipping

Rolling motion is a combination of rotational and translational motion. The resultant velocity at the bottom is zero and the resultant velocity at the top is 2v

Rolling down a slope

  • Another common scenario involving rotational and translational motion is an object (usually a ball or a disc) rolling down a slope
  • At the top of the slope, a stationary object will have gravitational potential energy equal to

E subscript p space equals space m g increment h

  • As the object rolls down the slope, the gravitational potential energy will be transferred to both translational (linear) and rotational kinetic energy
  • At the bottom of the slope, the total kinetic energy of the object will be equal to

E subscript K space t o t a l end subscript space equals space 1 half m v squared space plus space 1 half I omega squared

1-4-9-rotational-kinetic-energy-rolling-down-a-slope-ib-2025-physics

  • The linear or angular velocity can then be determined by
    • Equating E subscript p and E subscript K space t o t a l end subscript
    • Using the equation for the moment of inertia of the object
    • Using the relationship between linear and angular velocity v space equals space omega r
  • For example, for a ball (a solid sphere) of mass m and radius r, its moment of inertia is

I space equals space 2 over 5 m r squared

  • Equating the equations for E subscript p and E subscript K space t o t a l end subscript and simplifying gives

m g increment h space equals space 1 half m open parentheses omega r close parentheses squared space plus space 1 half open parentheses 2 over 5 m r squared close parentheses omega squared

m g increment h space equals space 1 half m omega squared r squared space plus space 1 fifth m omega squared r squared

m g increment h space equals space 7 over 10 m omega squared r squared

Worked example

A flywheel of mass M and radius R rotates at a constant angular velocity ω about an axis through its centre. The rotational kinetic energy of the flywheel is E subscript K.

The moment of inertia of the flywheel is 1 half M R squared.

A second flywheel of mass 1 half M and radius 1 half R is placed on top of the first flywheel. The new angular velocity of the combined flywheels is 2 over 3 omega.

1-4-9-rotational-kinetic-energy-flywheel-mcq-worked-example-ib-2025-physics

What is the new rotational kinetic energy of the combined flywheels?

A.     E subscript K over 2          B.     E subscript K over 4          C.     E subscript K over 8           D.     E subscript K over 24

Answer:  A

  • The kinetic energy of the first flywheel is

E subscript K space equals space 1 half I omega squared space equals space 1 half cross times open parentheses 1 half M R squared close parentheses cross times omega squared

E subscript K space equals space 1 fourth M R squared omega squared

  • The combined flywheels have a total moment of inertia of

I subscript n e w end subscript space equals space I subscript 1 space plus space I subscript 2

I subscript n e w end subscript space equals space 1 half M R squared space plus space 1 half open parentheses 1 half M close parentheses open parentheses 1 half R close parentheses squared

I subscript n e w end subscript space equals space 9 over 16 M R squared

  • The kinetic energy of the combined flywheels is

E subscript K space n e w end subscript space equals space 1 half I subscript n e w end subscript omega subscript n e w end subscript squared space equals space 1 half cross times open parentheses 9 over 16 M R squared close parentheses cross times open parentheses 2 over 3 omega close parentheses squared

E subscript K space n e w end subscript space equals space 1 half cross times open parentheses 1 fourth M R squared omega squared close parentheses space equals space 1 half E subscript K

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.