Rotational-to-Translational Kinetic Energy Transfer for a Rolling Spool (Journal Article)

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Abstract: Kinetic friction exerted on a sliding object is a dissipative force responsible for the conversion of mechanical energy into heat. The direction of the kinetic friction force exerted on a sliding object always opposes the direction of its velocity at the point of contact with the surface (vpoc) but not necessarily its center-of-mass velocity (v). For various reasons, first-year physics students are rarely exposed to examples and lab experiences that emphasize kinetic friction beyond sliding objects without rotation and rolling objects without slippage. Unfortunately, this can result in the student misconception that mechanical energy loss due to kinetic friction is synonymous with translational kinetic energy loss.