Calculate Length of Unwound Wire with Angular Velocity and Spool Radius

  • Thread starter Thread starter xortan
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the length of wire unwound from a spool with a radius of 48.0 cm after 2.1 revolutions. The correct approach involves using the formula for the circumference of a circle, which is 2πr. Thus, the total length of wire unwound is 2.1 revolutions multiplied by the circumference, resulting in a length of 2.1 * 2π * 48.0 cm, equating to 201.6π cm. The discussion clarifies that velocity is irrelevant to this specific problem, emphasizing the need to focus solely on the distance unwound.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic geometry, specifically the formula for the circumference of a circle.
  • Familiarity with angular motion concepts, including revolutions and radians.
  • Knowledge of the Greek letter π (pi) and its mathematical significance.
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations with π in calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the formula for the circumference of a circle: C = 2πr.
  • Learn about angular velocity and its applications in rotational motion.
  • Explore problems involving linear distance traveled based on angular displacement.
  • Practice converting between revolutions and radians for various geometric applications.
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for physics exams, educators teaching rotational motion concepts, and anyone interested in practical applications of geometry in real-world scenarios.

xortan
Messages
76
Reaction score
1
1. A spool of wire is rolled out along a level floor. If the radius of the spool is 48.0 cm and the spool makes 2.1 revolutions, what length of wire (in cm) is unwound?



velocity = (angular velcity)(radius)



2.1 rev * 2pie radians/rev. I know the revs will cancel and i will have 4.2pie radians

Since velocity = Distance/time i will say time=1 min then i get distance=(48.0)(4.2pie) which is 201.6pie cm/min and i will divide this by 60 to get 3.36pie cm/sec

Am i going in the right direction? I don't know if what i did so far is right or if I am missing something, thanks in advance for the help this would really help me for the midterm i got on tuesday
 
Physics news on Phys.org
xortan said:
1. A spool of wire is rolled out along a level floor. If the radius of the spool is 48.0 cm and the spool makes 2.1 revolutions, what length of wire (in cm) is unwound?



velocity = (angular velcity)(radius)



2.1 rev * 2pie radians/rev. I know the revs will cancel and i will have 4.2pie radians

Since velocity = Distance/time i will say time=1 min then i get distance=(48.0)(4.2pie) which is 201.6pie cm/min and i will divide this by 60 to get 3.36pie cm/sec

Am i going in the right direction? I don't know if what i did so far is right or if I am missing something, thanks in advance for the help this would really help me for the midterm i got on tuesday

There's nothing in this problem that gives velocity or asks for it. All that's needed is the length of wire that unwinds from the spool.

BTW, the name of this Greek letter, \pi, is pi, not pie. A pie is something you can eat.
 
Mmm... I sure wish I had that many pies per second...


A few hints:

Find how much would be left behind with one revolution. This should be simple, and you have all the variables necessary. But the spool makes 2.1 revolutions. How much would then be left behind?

You are making it more complex than it needs to be. Who cares how fast the thing goes? Besides, you don't have the information to do this. You only really need how far it went.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
9K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K