Determine the angular velocity in rad/s and degrees/s

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the angular velocity of a car towing a trailer, with the trailer's wheel diameter given as 40 cm. For part a, the correct angular velocity is determined to be approximately 35.4π radians per second or 6,372 degrees per second. In part b, the angle through which the tire turns in 60 seconds is calculated, yielding around 1,060.8 rotations or 288 degrees, which converts to approximately 5.0 radians. Participants also discuss the importance of using radians over degrees for calculations in physics. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in calculations and understanding the relationship between linear and angular motion.
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i think i have part a right (but who knows). i don't know about part b. any help is appreciated!

Homework Statement


1) a car is traveling at 80km/h, and is towing a trailer. the wheels of the trailer are 40cm in diameter.

a) determine the angular velocity in rad/s and degrees/s

radius = 40cm/2 = 20 cm
distance traveled in 1 hr = 80km = 8,000,000
1 hr = 3600s

distance traveled in 1s = 8,000,000/3600 = 2,222.222

#of rotation in 1s = 2222.222/20pi = 35.37

angular velocity = 35.27 x 2pi = 70.74pi rads

70.74pr x (180/pi) = 6,372 degrees per second

b) through what angle does the tire turn in 60s? state your answer in radians and degrees

for this one i could just go 35.37 x 60s = 2122.7
360degrees x .7 = 252degrees?

252degrees x (pi/180) rad = 4.4 rad

?

and then i have to explain why radians are better than degrees in these types of questions. i haven't the foggiest idea.

~Amy
 
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Circumfrence is \pi d, not \pi r
 
thanks :smile:

so:

a) determine the angular velocity in rad/s and degrees/s

radius = 40cm/2 = 20 cm
distance traveled in 1 hr = 80km = 8,000,000
1 hr = 3600s

distance traveled in 1s = 8,000,000/3600 = 2,222.222

#of rotation in 1s = 2222.222/40pi = 17.7

angular velocity = 17.7 x 2pi = 35.4pi rads

35.4pi x (180/pi) = 6,372 degrees per second

b) through what angle does the tire turn in 60s? state your answer in radians and degrees

17.68 x 60s = 1060.8
360degrees x .8 = 288degrees?

288degrees x (pi/180) rad = 5.0 rad?

~Amy
 
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