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Is there more than one type of kinetic energy

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  • Is there more than one type of kinetic energy

    In calculating the total amount of work done on the basis of the movements
    of body segments, during gait for example, it is common (Winter 1979,
    Pierrynowski 1980, Viswanath 1999) to consider the potential energy, the
    translational kinetic energy and the rotational kinetic energy. In
    calculating total work done the translational and rotational energy terms
    are treated as separate. Is this justified?

    It is my understanding that there is just one scalar quantity, kinetic
    energy, and that the translational and rotational "components" are simply a
    means of calculating this total. Given this surely the total kinetic energy
    for each segment should be treated as a single term for the calculation of
    total work.

    Whilst we are on this subject, there is at least one series of papers which
    talks of the forward, lateral and vertical components of translational
    kinetic energy (although the use of the terms does not affect the
    mathematical analysis). Surely kinetic energy is a scalar and there is no
    physical meaning to these "components"?

    Am I right? Right, but overly pedantic? Plain wrong?

    I'd be interested in anyone's comments.

    Richard

    Richard Baker PhD
    Gait Analysis Service Manager
    Musgrave Park Hospital, Stockman's Lane, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7JB
    Tel: +44 2890 669501 ext 2155 or 2849
    Fax: +44 2890 382008

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