Calculate rpm with circular motion

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the rotation speed in revolutions per minute (rpm) for a donut-shaped space station with a radius of 200 meters, designed to simulate artificial gravity of 0.8g. The participant derived a linear velocity of 12.65 m/s using the centripetal acceleration formula, ac = v²/r, and subsequently calculated the rotation speed to be 0.604 rev/min using the formula rev/min = 60v/(2πr). The calculations were confirmed to be correct, with emphasis on ensuring proper unit conversions for acceleration.

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  • Centripetal acceleration concepts
  • Basic physics equations for circular motion
  • Understanding of linear velocity and angular velocity
  • Familiarity with unit conversions in physics
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Homework Statement


Imagine that NASA plans to builds a large donut-shaped space station. The station will rotate in outer space in order to simulate gravity. If the station has a radius of 200m, what must be its rotation speed in revolutions per minute, to produce an artificial gravity of 0.8 g?


Homework Equations


ac=v^2/r
rev/min = 60v/2pi*r




The Attempt at a Solution


Okay, so I have somewhere in my notes that if ac = g then T = 0. So I replaced ac with 0.8. So my equation went 0.8 = v^2/(200m).

So I got my v = 12.65 m/s.

Then I plugged my v into rev/min at 60(v)/2pi*r and I got my answer to be 0.604 rev/min.


I was just wondering if I did this right?
 
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Workout said:
Okay, so I have somewhere in my notes that if ac = g then T = 0.
What does T refer to here? Is that relevant to the space station?
So I replaced ac with 0.8.
0.8 what?
So my equation went 0.8 = v^2/(200m).

So I got my v = 12.65 m/s.

Then I plugged my v into rev/min at 60(v)/2pi*r and I got my answer to be 0.604 rev/min.

I was just wondering if I did this right?
... well, if you look at your calculation, checking the units, v=12.65m/s means a=0.8m/s2.
Is that the correct acceleration?
 
How do I solve for rpm? I think my v is correct.
 
Well, since you are sure you have the correct v...
You can either convert your v into angular velocity or work out the circumference of your circle and how many times you'd travel that distance at speed v in one minute.

However, if you don't answer questions I cannot help you.
i.e. is 0.8g, the acceleration you are asked to get, the same as 0.8m/s2 - which is the acceleration you used to get v?
 

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