Angular acceleration of a wheel formula

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SUMMARY

The formula for angular acceleration (\(\alpha\)) of a wheel is derived from the relationship between tangential acceleration (\(a_t\)) and the wheel's diameter (\(d\)). Specifically, the equation is \(\alpha = \frac{2a_t}{d}\), where \(d\) is the diameter of the wheel. Additionally, the tangential speed (\(v_t\)) can be expressed as \(\omega = \frac{2v_t}{d}\). This relationship is crucial for understanding the dynamics of a wheel in motion, particularly in applications involving vehicles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of angular motion concepts
  • Familiarity with tangential speed and acceleration
  • Knowledge of basic geometry, specifically circles and diameters
  • Basic physics principles related to motion
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  • Study the relationship between linear and angular motion in detail
  • Learn about rotational dynamics and the moment of inertia
  • Explore applications of angular acceleration in automotive engineering
  • Investigate the effects of wheel diameter on vehicle performance
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Students studying physics, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in the mechanics of rotational motion and its applications in real-world scenarios.

MrPotatoHead
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Homework Statement



What is the formula for angular acceleration, when the wheel's diameter, speed, acceleration and distance are known.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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The hard part is realizing that the speed the wheel is moving at (I'm assuming it's a wheel attached to a moving body like a car driving on the road) is equal to the tangential speed of a particle on the end of the wheel. Same can be said about acceleration.

So, then you simply convert between tangential and angular values, you said diameter is known, so these are given in terms of diameter d (with d=2r) as
\alpha=\frac{2a_{t}}{d}, \omega=\frac{2v_{t}}{d}
 
MrPotatoHead said:

Homework Statement



What is the formula for angular acceleration, when the wheel's diameter, speed, acceleration and distance are known.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Welcome to the PF.

You are asking for an equation for acceleration, when the acceleration is known?
 

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