Angular Velocity and Acceleration

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
df102015
Messages
27
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


If a bike wheel rotates 9.4 times while slowing down to a stop from an initial angular velocity of 8.1 rad/s, what is the magnitude of the angular acceleration in rad/s/s

Homework Equations


α = at / r
α = ω / t
α = Θ / t^2
ω = Θ / t
ω = v / r
Θ = ω t + 0.5 α t^2
v final = v initial + at → ω final = ω initial + αt
some of these formulas may be useless, and there possibly are some others not mentioned that i do not know :/

The Attempt at a Solution


Knowing the initial angular velocity is 8.1 and the final is 0 since the wheel stops, i used
ω final = ω initial + αt
0 = 8.1 + αt
it spins 9.4 times in the time frame during which it slows down, but the radius of the wheel is not given. And i do not know which ω to use in the equation ω = Θ / t in order to find time. If i could get time, then i could use the equation α = ω / t or α = Θ / t^2. Am i even approaching this correctly? if not can somebody point me in the right direction?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi,

There is another SUVAT equation you need to translate into uniformly decelerated angular motion: ##s = s_0 + v_0 t + {1\over 2} at^2##.

##\theta## takes the place of s (and one revolution is ##2\pi##) to give you a second equation. That way you have 2 eqns for ##\alpha## and ##t##, so you should be able to solve.
 
BvU said:
Hi,

There is another SUVAT equation you need to translate into uniformly decelerated angular motion: ##s = s_0 + v_0 t + {1\over 2} at^2##.

##\theta## takes the place of s (and one revolution is ##2\pi##) to give you a second equation. That way you have 2 eqns for ##\alpha## and ##t##, so you should be able to solve.
i am still confused as to what two equations these are, if you could provide them for me or hint at what they would be i would greatly appreciate it. I am unsure of what s0 would be, i understand that theta substitutes for s, but it couldn't be for both sides. Is 2pi x 9.4 supposed to be s?
 
$$\theta(t) = \theta_0 + \omega_0 t + {1\over 2} \alpha t^2 $$ it's that simple (for constant angular acceleration/deceleration -- then ##\alpha < 0##).

You don't know ##\theta(t)## and ##\theta_0## but you do know their difference (indeed, the angle you mention).