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Rolling Race: Moment of Inertia

Roll a solid cylinder and a hollow tube down the same ramp and use the winner to test a prediction from rotational physics.

Grade 12ExperimentScience OlympiadSciencePhysicsEnergyMeasurementAdvanced1.2 to 1.8 hr6 materials

What you'll learn

  • Define moment of inertia and rolling without slipping
  • Use energy conservation with rotation
  • Compare measured and predicted time ratios

Objective

Predict and measure the speed ratio of a solid cylinder and a hollow cylinder rolling down a ramp, using moment of inertia.

STEM concepts

Moment of inertiaRotational kinetic energyEnergy conservationRolling motion
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Materials and safety
Step-by-step instructions
Prediction, test sheet and results
Why does it work, challenge and project report

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