A flywheel is a solid disk that rotates about an axis that is perpendicular to t

Question

A flywheel is a solid disk that rotates about an axis that is perpendicular to the disk at its center. Rotating flywheels provide a means for storing energy in the form of rotational kinetic energy and are being considered as a possible alternative to batteries in electric cars. The gasoline burned in a 347-mile trip in a typical midsize car produces about 3.94 x 109 J of energy. How fast would a 5.35-kg flywheel with a radius of 0.247 m have to rotate to store this much energy? Give your answer in rev/min.

Explanation / Answer

Total energy =3.94*109 Joules

rotattional inertia of flywheel = 0.5*MR2 = 0.5*5.35*0.2472=0.16 kg-m2

Let the angular velocity required be w

0.5*0.16*w2=3.94*109

w=221923.4 rad/s = 2119212.46 rev/min

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