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Physics LibreTexts

3.10: Kinetic energy

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

We remind ourselves that we are discussing particles, and that all kinetic energy is translational kinetic energy.

Notation:

  • TC = kinetic energy with respect to the centre of mass C.
  • T = kinetic energy with respect to the origin O.
Theorem:

T=TC+12M¯v2

Thus:

T=12miv2i=12mi(vi+¯v)(vi+¯v)

=12mv2iׯvmvi+12v2mi.

T=TC+12M¯v2.

Corollary:

If ¯v=0,T=TC. (Think about what this means.)

Corollary:

Corollary: For a non-rotating rigid body, TC = 0, and therefore T=12M¯v2

(Think about what this means.)


This page titled 3.10: Kinetic energy is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jeremy Tatum via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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