Answer to Question #156502 in Molecular Physics | Thermodynamics for Max

Question

Explain rotational energy.

Answer 1

Rotational energy is the kinetic energy due to rotational motion.

Scalar quantity with SI units of Joules (J). Rotational kinetic energy is directly proportional to the rotational inertia and the square of the magnitude of the angular velocity:

$K=\frac{I\omega^2}{2}$

where

  $\omega$  is the angular velocity;

  $I$   is the moment of inertia around the axis of rotation;

  $K$  is the kinetic energy.