Angular velocity, can someone help?

In summary, the problem involves a laboratory centrifuge with a rotor radius of 12.0 cm and a typical spin rate of 2000 rpm. When switched off, it turns through 50.0 revolutions. The task is to find the average angular acceleration, given the initial and final speed, and total distance. After converting rpm to radians per second, the standard constant acceleration equation can be used to find the acceleration. The radius is not needed unless the tangential speed is given.
  • #1
knowledgerich
2
0

Homework Statement


a laboratory centrifuge has rotor radius (from center of rotor to sample) of 12.0 cm and typically spins at a rate of 2000 rpm. When switched off, it turns through 50.0 revolutions in coming to rest. Find the value of its average angular acceleration.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


so far I only turned the rpm to radians/s which is the angular velocity but I wasn't sure what to do next
 
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  • #2
welcome to pf!

hi knowledgerich! welcome to pf! :smile:
knowledgerich said:
a laboratory centrifuge has rotor radius (from center of rotor to sample) of 12.0 cm and typically spins at a rate of 2000 rpm. When switched off, it turns through 50.0 revolutions in coming to rest. Find the value of its average angular acceleration.

so far I only turned the rpm to radians/s which is the angular velocity but I wasn't sure what to do next

you have initial speed, final speed, and total distance, and the question asks for acceleration

sooo … just use one of the standard constant acceleration equations (but using angle instead of distance) :wink:
 
  • #3
is the radius used in this equation? I came up with (-33^2 rad/s)/(2*100π) = -3.5 rad/s^2
 
  • #4
knowledgerich said:
is the radius used in this equation? I came up with (-33^2 rad/s)/(2*100π) = -3.5 rad/s^2
No, I think the radius was given you to confuse you. (There ought to be more questions like that IMO.)
What are the units of the '33'?
 
  • #5
knowledgerich said:
is the radius used in this equation?

the radius would only be needed if they gave you the tangential (linear) speed instead of the angular speed …

eg if they said a wire was coming off the wheel at so-many metres per second :wink:
 

FAQ: Angular velocity, can someone help?

What is angular velocity?

Angular velocity is a measure of the rate at which an object rotates or moves around a fixed point, measured in radians per second. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

How is angular velocity calculated?

Angular velocity is calculated by dividing the change in angle (in radians) by the change in time. It is typically represented by the symbol ω (omega) and can be calculated using the formula ω = Δθ/Δt.

What is the difference between angular velocity and linear velocity?

Angular velocity measures the rotational speed of an object, while linear velocity measures the speed at which an object moves in a straight line. Angular velocity is measured in radians per second, while linear velocity is measured in meters per second.

How does angular velocity affect centripetal force?

Angular velocity is directly related to centripetal force, which is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. As angular velocity increases, so does the centripetal force. This means that the faster an object is rotating, the stronger the force needed to keep it moving in a circular path.

Can you give an example of angular velocity in real life?

An example of angular velocity in real life is the Earth's rotation around its axis. The Earth has an average angular velocity of 0.00007 radians per second, which means it takes approximately 24 hours for the Earth to complete one full rotation. Another example is the spinning of a ceiling fan, which also has a constant angular velocity as it rotates around a fixed point.

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