1. What is Kinetic Energy of a Flywheel?

The kinetic energy of a flywheel is the energy stored in the rotating mass. Flywheels are used in various applications to store rotational energy, smooth out power delivery, and provide energy when needed.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the kinetic energy formula:

Where:

• \( KE \) — Kinetic energy (Joules)
• \( I \) — Moment of inertia (kg·m²)
• \( \omega \) — Angular velocity (radians per second)

Explanation: The energy stored in a rotating flywheel is proportional to its moment of inertia and the square of its angular velocity.

3. Importance of Kinetic Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating flywheel kinetic energy is crucial for designing energy storage systems, understanding mechanical systems' energy capacity, and ensuring proper sizing for specific applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter moment of inertia in kg·m² and angular velocity in rad/s. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is moment of inertia?
A: Moment of inertia is a measure of an object's resistance to changes in its rotation rate, depending on mass distribution relative to the rotation axis.

Q2: How to convert RPM to rad/s?
A: Multiply RPM by π/30 (approximately 0.10472) to get rad/s. For example, 1000 RPM = 1000 × π/30 ≈ 104.72 rad/s.

Q3: What are typical flywheel energy storage capacities?
A: Small flywheels might store a few hundred joules, while large industrial flywheels can store megajoules of energy.

Q4: What affects flywheel energy storage?
A: Energy storage increases with higher rotational speed and mass distributed farther from the axis of rotation.

Q5: Are there safety considerations?
A: Yes, high-speed flywheels store significant energy and require proper containment in case of failure.