Problems w/ rotational dynamics and angular momentum

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around problems related to rotational dynamics and angular momentum, specifically involving a centrifuge rotor and a person on a rotating platform. Participants are exploring concepts such as moment of inertia, angular velocity, and the effects of changes in rotational position.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the moment of inertia and angular acceleration, using torque and kinematic equations. Questions are raised about the conversion of units from rpm to radians per second and the implications of external torque on the system. There is also discussion about the conservation of angular momentum and how it relates to changes in rotational speed.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning the correctness of their approaches. Some have suggested alternative methods for calculating time and displacement, while others express confusion about specific values and the underlying principles involved.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential errors in the provided answers, and participants are grappling with the implications of assumptions made regarding external forces and system constraints. The problem setup includes specific values for torque, mass, and radius, which are critical to the calculations being discussed.

jrd007
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1) A centrifuge rotor rotating at 10,300 rpm is shut off and is eventually brought uniformly to rest by a frictional torque of 1.20 m-N. If the mass of the rotor is 4.8 kg and it can be approximated as a solid cylinder of radius .0710 m, through how many revolutions will the rotor turn before coming to rest, and how long will it take? correct answer: 993 rev, 10.9 s

So the first thing we are trying to find is rotational position (O) with a dash through it. And what we know is:

intial w = 10,300 rpm, bought to rest by 1.20 m-N torque, m = 4.8 kg, r = .0710 m & we know the moment of inertia equation of a solid cylinder which is 1/2MR^2

My thoughts we to find the moment of Inertia, then use the T = I(ang)a
so I = .0121, then use the torgue equation(1.20 mN/.0121) and ang. acc. = 99.2 m/s^2
then I could use rotational kinematics by: w2 = w(intial)^2 +2a(O)

10,300 rpm^2 = 0 + 2(99.2m/s)(O)
171.7 rps^2 = 198.4 m/s (O)

O = 149 revs... not the correct answer, so assuming I got that wrong I cannot get the time...
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2) A person stands, hands at his side, on a platform that is rotating at a rate of 1.30 rev/s. If he raises his arms to a horizontial position the speed of rotation decreases to 0.80 rev/s. (a) Why? (b)By what factor has the moment of inertia changed? (b) 1.6

Okay, so I know part a which is because his rotational inertia increases. Part b is the problem...
 
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In SI, angular veloity is in radians per second. Whereas in the question, it's given as revolutions per minute.

For the second one, is there an external torque? So what does that tell you?
 
I'm not sure I agree with the answer for part B of question 2. Look at conservation of angular momentum.
 
so I use this for nuber 2, but in rad/s?

10,300 rpm^2 = 0 + 2(99.2m/s)(O)
1078 rad/s^2 = 198.4 m/s
O = 5.43 and then convert that into revs? that does not work either.
 
As for # 2, I am stil clueless as to where the 1.6 is coming from.
 
jrd007 said:
so I use this for nuber 2, but in rad/s?
10,300 rpm^2 = 0 + 2(99.2m/s)(O)
1078 rad/s^2 = 198.4 m/s
O = 5.43 and then convert that into revs? that does not work either.

You didn't square the [tex]\omega[/tex] term before you divided by 198.4.

For the last one, since it is not mentioned, the system is a closed system without outside forces thus conservation of angular momentum should hold true. If you look at it like that (which I think is justified) you get a factor of 1.4, not 1.6.
 
Last edited:
Okay so if I sq it.

1078 rad/s^2 = 198.4 m/s
1162084 rads/s = 198.4 m/s
O = 5857 then to turn it into revolutions I divided by 2pie, correct?

and I get 932.6 = 933 but that is still off by 60...

O = 149 revs... not the correct answer, so assuming I got that wrong I cannot get the time...
 
jrd007 said:
Okay so if I sq it.
1078 rad/s^2 = 198.4 m/s
1162084 rads/s = 198.4 m/s
O = 5857 then to turn it into revolutions I divided by 2pie, correct?
and I get 932.6 = 933 but that is still off by 60...
O = 149 revs... not the correct answer, so assuming I got that wrong I cannot get the time...
I too get θ = 5880 = 936 rev. I can't see anything wrong with the process. Perhaps there is another error in the answers?

Also, you can calculate the time before you calculate the rotations via [tex]\Sigma T = I \alpha[/tex] to calculate [tex]\alpha[/tex]. From there you can calculate the time via [tex]\omega = \omega_o + \alpha t[/tex]. You do not need the displacement to calculate t.
 

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