Dimentional Anaylsis: Solving for Revolutions

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the number of revolutions completed by the Huygens probe during its descent to Titan, specifically when it was 160 yards from the Cassini spacecraft. The correct calculation involves converting the distance from yards to centimeters and using the probe's rotation rate of 7 revolutions per minute (rpm). The final answer is confirmed to be 55 revolutions, achieved by dividing the total time in seconds by the conversion of rpm to revolutions per second.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of unit conversions (yards to centimeters)
  • Familiarity with rotational motion concepts (revolutions per minute)
  • Basic knowledge of time calculations in physics
  • Ability to perform arithmetic operations with units
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  • Learn about rotational motion and its calculations in physics
  • Study unit conversion techniques for distance and time
  • Explore the relationship between linear speed and rotational speed
  • Investigate the principles of space missions and probe dynamics
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the dynamics of space probes and their operational calculations.

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NASA's Cassini mission to Saturn released a probe on December 25, 2004, that landed on the Saturnian moon Titan on January 14, 2005. The probe, which was named Huygens, was released with a gentle relative speed of 31 cm/s. As Huygens moved away from the main spacecraft , it rotated at a rate of seven revolutions per minute.

How many revolutions had Huygens completed when it was 160 yards from the mother ship?


I know the answer is 55 rev; however, I got a completely different answer. I solved for the answer this way:

160yd*(3ft/yd)*(12in/ft)*(2.54cm/in) = x

I then divided x by 31 cm/s, and multiplied it by 420 rev/s.


Any help or advice would be much appreciated. :smile:
 
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How can something that does only 7 revolutions in 60 seconds do 420 revolutions in 1 second?
 
Muphrid said:
How can something that does only 7 revolutions in 60 seconds do 420 revolutions in 1 second?

You're right. I don't know what I was thinking! I did figure out that I needed to divide 7rpm by 60s and multiply that number by 471.948s, which gave to 55rev. :smile:
 

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