Constant Angular Acceleration

In summary, constant angular acceleration is the rate at which an object's rotational speed changes over time. It is calculated by dividing the change in angular velocity by the change in time. The unit of measurement for constant angular acceleration is radians per second squared (rad/s²). This is different from linear acceleration, which measures the change in linear speed of an object in meters per second squared (m/s²). Constant angular acceleration causes an object to change its rotational speed at a constant rate, either speeding up or slowing down depending on the direction of the acceleration.
  • #1
blue5t1053
23
1
Question:
A flywheel has a constant angular acceleration of 2 rad/sec^2. During the 19 sec time period from t1 to t2 the wheel rotates through an angle of 15 radians. What was the magnitude of the angular velocity of the wheel at time t1?

Hint: let t1=0 sec, and t2=t

Equations:
[tex]\vartheta - \vartheta_{0} = \omega_{0} t + \alpha t ^{2}[/tex]

My Work:
[tex](15 radians) - (0 radians) = \omega_{0} (19 sec) + (2 \frac{rad}{sec^{2}})(19 sec )^{2}[/tex]

[tex](15 radians) - (2 \frac{rad}{sec^{2}})(19 sec )^{2} = \omega_{0} (19 sec)[/tex]

[tex]\frac{(15 radians) - (2 \frac{rad}{sec^{2}})(19 sec )^{2}}{(19 sec)} = \omega_{0}[/tex]

[tex]\omega_{0} = (-18.2)\frac{rad}{sec} = (18.2)\frac{rad}{sec} \ for \ magnitude; \ at \ t1[/tex]

Did I do everything right?
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
blue5t1053 said:
Question:
A flywheel has a constant angular acceleration of 2 rad/sec^2. During the 19 sec time period from t1 to t2 the wheel rotates through an angle of 15 radians. What was the magnitude of the angular velocity of the wheel at time t1?

Hint: let t1=0 sec, and t2=t

Equations:
[tex]\vartheta - \vartheta_{0} = \omega_{0} t + \alpha t ^{2}[/tex]

My Work:
[tex](15 radians) - (0 radians) = \omega_{0} (19 sec) + (2 \frac{rad}{sec^{2}})(19 sec )^{2}[/tex]

[tex](15 radians) - (2 \frac{rad}{sec^{2}})(19 sec )^{2} = \omega_{0} (19 sec)[/tex]

[tex]\frac{(15 radians) - (2 \frac{rad}{sec^{2}})(19 sec )^{2}}{(19 sec)} = \omega_{0}[/tex]

You're good up to here.

[tex]\omega_{0} = (-18.2)\frac{rad}{sec} = (18.2)\frac{rad}{sec} \ for \ magnitude; \ at \ t1[/tex]

You've miscalculated. You should get something close to 37 rad/s for the magnitude.
 
  • #3
I think your equation is wrong

Should it not be

theta(final) - theta(initial) = time * angular velocity(initial) + (1/2) * angular acceleration * time^2.

similar to the equation in linear motion?
 
  • #4
manjuvenamma said:
I think your equation is wrong
You are right.
blue5t1053 said:
Equations:
[tex]\vartheta - \vartheta_{0} = \omega_{0} t + \alpha t ^{2}[/tex]
That should be:
[tex]\vartheta - \vartheta_{0} = \omega_{0} t + (1/2)\alpha t ^{2}[/tex]
 

1. What is constant angular acceleration?

Constant angular acceleration is the rate at which the angular velocity of an object changes over time. It is a measure of how quickly the speed at which the object rotates increases or decreases.

2. How is constant angular acceleration calculated?

Constant angular acceleration is calculated by dividing the change in angular velocity by the change in time. The formula is: α = (ωf - ωi) / (tf - ti), where α is the angular acceleration, ωf and ωi are the final and initial angular velocities, and tf and ti are the final and initial times.

3. What is the unit of measurement for constant angular acceleration?

The unit of measurement for constant angular acceleration is radians per second squared (rad/s²).

4. What is the difference between angular acceleration and linear acceleration?

Angular acceleration refers to the change in rotational speed of an object, while linear acceleration refers to the change in linear speed of an object. They are measured in different units, with angular acceleration measured in radians per second squared (rad/s²) and linear acceleration measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).

5. How does constant angular acceleration affect the motion of an object?

Constant angular acceleration causes an object to change its rotational speed at a constant rate. This means that the object's angular velocity increases or decreases by the same amount every second. The object will either speed up or slow down depending on the direction of the angular acceleration.

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