Finding a radius when an angular speed in RPM is given

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Discussion Overview

This discussion revolves around finding linear speed when given angular speed in RPM, specifically in the context of writable CD-R drives. Participants explore the relationship between angular speed and linear speed, while addressing the challenge of missing radius information in the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the process of calculating linear speed using the formula $$Velocity = RPM(2\pi)(Radius)$$ but expresses confusion about the relationship between this equation and the resulting linear speed.
  • Another participant questions whether the two problems presented are linked, noting that the absence of a radius makes it impossible to find a definitive answer.
  • One participant clarifies the distinction between linear speed and velocity, indicating that linear speed refers to distance over time, while velocity includes direction.
  • A participant suggests that if the disk radius has not changed between different types of disks, it may be reasonable to use the radius from a previous problem.
  • Another participant provides a breakdown of the relationship between angular speed and linear speed, explaining how distance traveled relates to the number of revolutions and the radius.
  • One participant ultimately decides to use the radius from a previous problem (60mm) to arrive at a solution, indicating satisfaction with this approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the radius is necessary to calculate linear speed, and some express uncertainty about the connection between angular speed and linear speed. There are competing views on whether the two problems are linked, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of missing radius information.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the calculations depend on the assumption that the radius remains consistent across different types of disks. There is also a lack of consensus on how to approach the problem without the radius, leading to various interpretations of the equations involved.

bsmithysmith
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When being burned in a writable CD-R Drive, the angular speed is often faster when playing audio... When writing along the outer edge, the angular speed of one drive is about 4800 RPM (Revolutions per minute). Find the linear speed.

The question above it, or before this one was with CD's radius is 60mm and the RPM is 200 but this time I'm not given the Radius. On that previous problem, it took me awhile to figure out after seeing the answer at the back of the book that the linear speed is approximated to 75,000.000 mm/min. (just giving part of the final answer). What I did to get that answer was multiply $$2pi$$ by the RPM, 200, because an entire revolution IS 2pi. Then I multiplied the answer by the radius. All in all it was pretty much:

$$Velocity = RPM(2pi)(Radius)$$

I still don't understand how that equation links to the answer; it's not clicking in my head why and how velocity is linked to circumference multiplied by the RPM.

Back to the main question, how do I find the linear speed when I have not been given the radius?

$$Velocity = 9600pi(radius)$$
 
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bsmithysmith said:
When being burned in a writable CD-R Drive, the angular speed is often faster when playing audio... When writing along the outer edge, the angular speed of one drive is about 4800 RPM (Revolutions per minute). Find the linear speed.

The question above it, or before this one was with CD's radius is 60mm and the RPM is 200 but this time I'm not given the Radius. On that previous problem, it took me awhile to figure out after seeing the answer at the back of the book that the linear speed is approximated to 75,000.000 mm/min. (just giving part of the final answer). What I did to get that answer was multiply $$2pi$$ by the RPM, 200, because an entire revolution IS 2pi. Then I multiplied the answer by the radius. All in all it was pretty much:

$$Velocity = RPM(2pi)(Radius)$$

I still don't understand how that equation links to the answer; it's not clicking in my head why and how velocity is linked to circumference multiplied by the RPM.

Back to the main question, how do I find the linear speed when I have not been given the radius?

$$Velocity = 9600pi(radius)$$
Are the two problems linked? As you say, this cannot be done without the radius.

-Dan

PS Velocity has an associated direction. Speed does not. You are looking for the speed, not velocity.
 
topsquark said:
Are the two problems linked? As you say, this cannot be done without the radius.

-Dan

PS Velocity has an associated direction. Speed does not. You are looking for the speed, not velocity.

My mistake, linear speed is not velocity since its distance/time whereas the one in my book is arclength/time.

The two problems are not linked despite the one I'm asking does not have a radius given. I'll ask my teacher tomorrow about it.

On the other hand, I'm still curious about how [MATH/]2pi(r)(rpm)$$ turns angular speed to linear speed.
 
bsmithysmith said:
how do I find the linear speed when I have not been given the radius?
If the disk radius has not change between CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray disks, we can assume that it has not changed from one problem to the next. :)

bsmithysmith said:
I still don't understand how that equation links to the answer; it's not clicking in my head why and how velocity is linked to circumference multiplied by the RPM.
Let $\nu$ be the frequency measured in RPM and $r$ be the radius. Fix some time interval $t$ measured in minutes. During this time, the disk has made $\nu t$ revolutions. The point has traveled distance $d=2\pi r\cdot\nu t$. Therefore, the point's speed is $d/t=2\pi r\nu$.
 
Well as you pointed out, there is pretty much no way to finish it without a radius, so I just used the radius of the CD above (60mm) and I'm satisfied!
 

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