Why isn't rotational energy equation considered here?
Conceptual doubt maybe im overthinking, but consider the midpoint of xz being O, the student acts as a point mass rotating about O in radius of R, obviously the student will be changing the direction in which he is facing hence he is also rotating with speed v/R, moment of inertia mR^2 so energy conservation equation comes out as
1/2 mv0^2 + 0 = mgh + 1/2 mv^2 + 1/2(mR^2)(v/R)^2
v0^2 - 2gh = 2v^2 = 2gR/2 = gR
If the student kept facing direction facing forward there would be no rotational motion acc to what ive learnt but that cant be possible if they're skating
Posted Apr 28, 2026, 7:09 PM UTC
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