Rotating Wheel SHM: Piston Distance Calculation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a rotating wheel that causes a piston to execute simple harmonic motion (SHM) within a cylinder. The original poster presents their calculations regarding the distance of the piston from an end position after a specified time, given the wheel's angular speed and radius.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the displacement of the piston based on the wheel's angular speed and radius, using trigonometric functions to find the distance from the equilibrium position. Some participants question whether the original poster could seek confirmation from a teacher instead.

Discussion Status

The discussion appears to be ongoing, with some participants providing feedback on the calculations presented. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the solution, and the original poster expresses a desire for validation of their approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints related to school schedules and study leave, indicating varying levels of availability for assistance.

shan
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I just need someone to tell me if I've done the problem right since the answer is mysteriously missing

The question is about a rotating wheel causing a piston to execute SHM inside a cylinder (the piston being connected to the outside of the wheel). The wheel rotates with an angular speed of 12rads-1 and it has a radius of 30cm.

What will be the distance of the piston from an end position after 0.10s?

ω = θ/t
θ = 12x0.1 = 1.2rad

displacement from equilibrium point = amplitudexCosθ = 0.3xCos1.2 =0.1087m

so distance from end position = 0.3-0.1087 = 0.19m (2sf)
 
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Well I've read through it and it looks OK to me. Couldn't you just have asked your teacher though?
 
School's out and I'm on my study leave...
 
Lucky you, I'm in school until almost Christmas. Then I have exams (with very little study leave) in January.
 

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