38 Rotational Kinetic Energy 38 - Page 1 of 4

Rotational Kinetic Energy

Equipment

1 Rotary Motion Sensor PS-2120A

1 Rotational Accessory CI-6691
1 Mass and Hanger Set ME-8979
1 Braided String SE-8050
1 90 cm Rod ME-8738
1 45 cm Rod ME-8736
1 Multi-Clamp ME-9507
1 Large Rod Base ME-8735
1 No-Bounce Pad SE-7347
Required but not included:
1 Calipers SE-8710
1 Meter Stick SE-8827
1 Balance SE-8723

Introduction

The rotational kinetic energy of a rotating object depends on its rotational inertia, I, and its
angular velocity, ω.

KE = ½ I ω² (1)

For a disk of radius, R, and mass M,

I = ½ M R² (2)

This lab investigates the potential energies for a modified Atwood's Machine (see Fig. 1), where
a disk has been added to the Rotary Motion Sensor pulley.

Written by Jon Hanks

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As the hanging mass (m ) falls, the lighter mass

(m ) rises, but the combined gravitational potential
energy of the two decreases, and this energy is
converted into the kinetic energy of the system.
This includes not only the linear kinetic energy of
the two hanging masses, but also the rotational
kinetic energy of the rotating disk.

The Rotary Motion Sensor measures the rotational

velocity of the disk, as well as the tangential
(linear) velocity of the string over the Three-step
Pulley.

Setup

1. Use the large rod base as shown in Figure 1

with the 90 cm rod, the 45 cm rod, and the
multi-clamp.

2. Attach the Rotary Motion Sensor to the end

of the 45 cm Rod and plug it into the
interface.

3. In PASCO Capstone, set the sample rate to

20 Hz. Create a graph of Position vs. Time.

4. Measure the mass and radius of the disk and

then fasten the disk to the sensor using the
Three-step Pulley. Figure 1: Modified Atwood’s Machine

5. Cut a piece of string about 1 m long. Tie a

loop on each end and place the string over the large radius pulley, with a mass hanger at
each end.

6. Place the yellow No-Bounce Pad under the hanging masses.

7. Add 50 g to the mass hanger (m ) and add 90 g to the mass hanger (m2).

8. Pull the lighter (m ) mass hanger down to the level of the pad. Click on Record and
release the hanger. You should try and stop recording just before the other mass hanger
hits the pad.

9. You want the velocity to be positive. If it is not, switch the two masses, or you can
change the sign in the properties for the sensor.

Written by Jon Hanks

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10. Pull the lighter (m ) mass hanger down to the level of the pad. Measure the height of m
above the pad. This initial height, h , will be used in calculating the potential energy of
the two masses.

11. In the Capstone calculator, create the following equations:

PE = m *g*[Position (m)]+m *g*(h -[Position (m)]) units of J
KElinear = 0.5*(m +m )*[Velocity (m/s)]² units of J
KErot = 0.5*I*[Angular Velocity (rad/s)]² units of J
2
I = 0.5*M*R² units of kg m
Total = [PE (J)]+[KElinear (J)]+[KErot (J)] units of J

12. Make a graph of the PE calculation vs. Time.

Procedure: Potential Energy

1. Line # 6 of the calculator shows the built-in calculation for the potential energy of the
two hanging masses.

PE=m gh + m g(h -h)

The height, h, is measured directly by the sensor. As one moves down, the other moves
upwards. Enter your values for m , m , and h , on lines #3 through #5 in the calculator.

2. Create a graph of PE vs. Time.

3. Pull the lighter (m ) mass hanger down to the level of the pad. Click on Record and
release the hanger. You should try to stop recording just before the other mass hanger hits
the pad. You could also try a Stop Condition on the position to automatically halt the
recording.

4. Get a single good run of data.

5. In general, what is happening to the total potential energy of the two hanging masses?

6. What is happening to the potential energy of just mass (m )?

Procedure: Kinetic Energy

7. Look at line #8 of the calculator. It shows the calculation for the kinetic energy of the two
hanging masses.

KElinear = ½(m +m )v²

where v is the tangential (linear) velocity of the string over the pulley, and thus the
velocity of the hanging masses.

Written by Jon Hanks

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8. But the rotating disk has kinetic energy, too.

KErot = ½Iω²

where the angular velocity, ω, is measured directly by the sensor. Enter your values for
the disk mass and radius on lines #1 and #2 in the calculator.

9. On the PE graph, click on the vertical axis measurement selector and select Add Similar
Measurement and add KElinear and KErot.

10. Display the last run or take a new run of data.

11. Which has more kinetic energy: The hanging masses or the rotating disk? Why? What
would you have to change to have it be the opposite?

Total Energy

12. In general, what is happening to the potential energy of the system compared to the
kinetic energy of the system?

13. Look at line #11 of the calculator. It shows the calculation for total energy = PE + KElinear
+ KErot

14. On the Energy graph, click on the vertical axis measurement selector and select Add
Similar Measurement and add Total.

15. Is energy conserved?

16. If there were no frictional losses, what would the graph show?

Written by Jon Hanks