The dynamics of the rolling motion of an object on a horizontal plane is studied. We use the laws of Newton to analyze the rolling of a rigid body and of a deformable body. The analytical solutions and their discussions in various physical situations are presented. The results allow us to understand the physical basis of why the rolling motion of a body stops after a certain time interval. Also, these results should help undergraduate physics students to investigate this type of motion.
rolling; rolling friction; rigid body