Circular Motion and artificial gravity

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the rate of rotation required to achieve artificial gravity of 3.80 m/s² in a space station designed as a wheel with a diameter of 135 m. The correct approach involves using the centripetal acceleration formula, a_{c} = v²/R, and the relationship between linear velocity and rotational frequency. The initial calculation yielded a velocity of 16.0156 m/s, leading to an incorrect conversion of the period into revolutions per minute. The accurate conversion from period to frequency must be applied to determine the correct rotation rate of approximately 1588.88 rev/min.

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  • Centripetal acceleration concepts
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  • Understanding of linear velocity in circular motion
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Homework Statement


A space station, in the form of a wheel 135 m in diameter, rotates to provide an "artificial gravity" of 3.80 m/s^{2} for persons who walk around on the inner wall of the outer rim. Find the rate of rotation of the wheel (in revolutions per minute) that will produce this effect.
answer must be in rev/min

Homework Equations


a_{c}=\frac{v^{2}}{R}
VT=2piR

The Attempt at a Solution



3.8=\frac{v^{2}}{135/2}
v=\sqrt{3.8/67.5}=16.0156m/s

then since VT=2piR
T=2piR/v = 2pi(67.5)/16.0156 = 26.4813 rev/sec
converting that to rev/min is (26.4813 rev/sec)*(60sec/min) = 1588.88rev/min

however, I think I am doing something wrong, my online homework website tells me this is incorrect
 
Last edited:
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T=2piR/v = 2pi(67.5)/16.0156 = 26.4813 rev/sec

This gives you seconds/revolution, not revolutions/second. Check your units. You're calculating the period here, not the frequency.
 

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