The dynamics of the square wheel is re‐evaluated. It is shown that the minimum coefficient of static friction required for pure rolling decreases from 1 for very slow motion to only 0.105 at the optimum kinetic energy, then increases again for faster motion. The kinetic energy and the equations of motion are derived considering translation of the center of mass and rotation about it in an inertial coordinate system attached to the roadbed and also for rotation about the point of contact. The fact that the instantaneous axis of rotation is accelerating is emphasized and its consequences are discussed.
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© 1994 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1994
American Association of Physics Teachers
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