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View Full Version : Angular Velocity of the Spinning Earth!


Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 10:29 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The angular velocity of the spinning earth is approximately......
0.26 rad/hr
6.28 rad/hr
0.13 rad/hr
or none of the above
I am new at this forum as of today! I hope that somebody could show me how I should even begin this! I have no idea!

2. Relevant equations
1 rev/s= 2pi rad/s


3. The attempt at a solution

hage567
Oct24-07, 10:34 PM
How long does it take the earth to make 1 revolution?

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 10:46 PM
It should be 365 days.

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 10:47 PM
Wait that's around the sun.

hage567
Oct24-07, 10:55 PM
How many hours are in a day?

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 11:03 PM
24 hours in a day.

hage567
Oct24-07, 11:07 PM
OK, you've already stated how many radians are in 1 revolution. So what do you think you should do now? What's angular velocity mean?

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 11:14 PM
It is the rate of change of angular position. So...... The rate of change must be hmmm... I thought I had it.

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 11:15 PM
Could the position be 1 revolution and the rate of change 24hrs.?

hage567
Oct24-07, 11:19 PM
Could the position be 1 revolution and the rate of change 24hrs.?

Yes, you know it goes through 1 revolution in 24 hrs.

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 11:24 PM
Do I put those numbers into an equation?

hage567
Oct24-07, 11:30 PM
Well yes you could do it that way. \omega = \frac{\Delta\theta}{\Delta t}

revolutions/hr is a way of stating angular velocity. Look at the units the answers are given in. What do you need to do to get those?

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 11:37 PM
Well, I believe that there is 2pi radians in a circle. That equation is the change in the angle over the change in time right? I don't know if this info even helped me?

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 11:39 PM
I am very grateful for your help! This is great considering the tutor room where I go on campus is insanely full with only one tutor per 30 students!

hage567
Oct24-07, 11:41 PM
Yes there are 2pi radians in a one revolution. The answer is asking for units of radians/hr. You now have everything you need. Your angular velocity is then going to be (2*pi radians)/(24 hrs) which is the change in angle over time, like you say. So what number do you get when you put that into your calculator?

hage567
Oct24-07, 11:46 PM
I am very grateful for your help! This is great considering the tutor room where I go on campus is insanely full with only one tutor per 30 students!

You're welcome. Hopefully I'm being helpful.

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 11:55 PM
.26 rad/hr! Thanks!

Mr. Sinister
Oct24-07, 11:59 PM
You were very helpful! Do you get paid for helping people? Or is it out of pure kindness? I've noticed that there is alot of homework helpers in the staff section.

hage567
Oct25-07, 12:04 AM
I'm glad I could help. We do this on our own time for fun. :biggrin:

Mr. Sinister
Oct25-07, 12:08 AM
Wow!!! That's Awesome!!! Thanks Again!!! I'll be back for sure at a later day!!!