MadSci Network: Physics |
I have these two wheels with the same mass. One has weights attached all around the edge of the wheel. The other has all the weights concentrated in the center where the axle should be. When I race the wheels down an incline plan, the one with the weights in the center always wins. It accelerates faster every time. They both have the same initial potential energy but it appears that they both do not have the same kinetic energy at the bottom of the plan since one is going faster. I am confused and it would be really helpful if you could explain this too me. If I let the wheels keep going after the plan on a flat surface, would they both stop in the same spot the same distance away? do you know any formulas that go with the theory? Thanks. This is a great free service. Please respond as soon as possible because I'd like to do this experiment for a project
Re: two wheels with the same mass roll down an incline plane differently
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