Hi
Ive recently carried out an experiment where different masses are hung from a string and then dropped from the same height. The other end of the string is wrapped around the axle of a flywheel and when the mass hits the ground, the time for ten revolutions of the flywheel is calculated to give angular velocity. The potential energy of each of the masses is calculated using mgh and a graph of Ep vs ω2 is then plotted with the gradient = 1/2I. Im a bit stuck as to how to explain the graph and explain why the graph doesnt go through 0,0. My thoughts are that as the potential energy of the masses is increased, the kinetic energy of the flywheel also increases, as the angular velocity increases. I think the graph doesnt go through 0,0 to show that the flywheel still has some potential energy in the system when the kinetic energy is 0. Am i correct? Sorry for writing loads :)
Ive recently carried out an experiment where different masses are hung from a string and then dropped from the same height. The other end of the string is wrapped around the axle of a flywheel and when the mass hits the ground, the time for ten revolutions of the flywheel is calculated to give angular velocity. The potential energy of each of the masses is calculated using mgh and a graph of Ep vs ω2 is then plotted with the gradient = 1/2I. Im a bit stuck as to how to explain the graph and explain why the graph doesnt go through 0,0. My thoughts are that as the potential energy of the masses is increased, the kinetic energy of the flywheel also increases, as the angular velocity increases. I think the graph doesnt go through 0,0 to show that the flywheel still has some potential energy in the system when the kinetic energy is 0. Am i correct? Sorry for writing loads :)