Finding Length with rpm and static friction

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bug crawling outward on a spinning compact disc, with the goal of determining how far it can move from the center before slipping occurs. The scenario is set within the context of rotational motion and static friction, with specific parameters including the disc's rotation speed and the coefficient of static friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conversion of revolutions per minute to radians per second and its implications for determining velocity. There is an exploration of the relationship between static friction and centripetal acceleration, with some participants questioning the definitions and units involved.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing dialogue about the correct interpretation of angular velocity versus linear velocity. Some participants have provided guidance on the relationships between these quantities and how to approach the problem, while others are still clarifying their understanding of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of textbook answers and express confusion regarding the definitions of velocity in the context of angular motion. There is also mention of the need to adhere to homework constraints, as the problem is part of an online assignment.

orange03
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Homework Statement



A bug crawls outward from the center of a compact disc spinning at 190 revolutions per minute. The coefficient of static friction between the bug's sticky feet and the disc surface is 1.4. How far does the bug get from the center before slipping?

Homework Equations



(static friction)(normal force)=(mv^2)/r
v=2pir/T

The Attempt at a Solution



I converted 190 rev/min into rad/sec, assuming that is how to find velocity. I got 19.89 rad/sec. I put (static friction)(mg)=mv^2/r equal to each other and got 14 meters as my r. However, this answer is wrong and I have no idea how else to solve this problem. Help please!
 
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orange03 said:

Homework Statement



A bug crawls outward from the center of a compact disc spinning at 190 revolutions per minute. The coefficient of static friction between the bug's sticky feet and the disc surface is 1.4. How far does the bug get from the center before slipping?

Homework Equations



(static friction)(normal force)=(mv^2)/r
v=2pir/T

The Attempt at a Solution



I converted 190 rev/min into rad/sec, assuming that is how to find velocity. I got 19.89 rad/sec. I put (static friction)(mg)=mv^2/r equal to each other and got 14 meters as my r. However, this answer is wrong and I have no idea how else to solve this problem. Help please!

Welcome to PF. :)

You are very very close, I think you just made some small mistake along the way. You were correct in realizing the critical condition is when the static friction can no longer supply the bug with the centripetal acceleration required for him to rotate with the disc.
(Conversely, from the bug's accelerated frame of reference, the static friction can no longer counter-balance the centrifugal force)Try it like this instead:
Centripetal acceleration= [tex]\omega^2 r[/tex]
[tex]\omega=2\pi f[/tex]
[tex]f[/tex]=The frequency of the rotations.

What's the textbook's answer, by the way?
 
How is velocity rad/sec? I thought the definition of velocity was [tex]\frac{length}{time}[/tex] and it seems that you are using meters as length...

Also from class you should know that radians are dimensionless.

So if angles are measured in radians, what is the quantity 19.89 rad/sec you calculated called?
 
would f=190 rev/min? and how would i find centripetal acceleration?

I think I got confused because the only factor I was missing was velocity so I just made 19.89 rad/sec into velocity but I think it's angular velocity.
 
orange03 said:
would f=190 rev/min? and how would i find centripetal acceleration?

I think I got confused because the only factor I was missing was velocity so I just made 19.89 rad/sec into velocity but I think it's angular velocity.

That is correct.

For circular motion, what is the centripetal acceleration?

If you wish to prove to yourself the relation I suggested you use, then the following will prove helpful:
[tex]\omega=\tfrac{V}{r}[/tex]
For every one radian the bug rotates, he moves across an arc length equal to his distance from the center times the one radian he's rotated (Draw this out and remember your circle geometry).
 
Okay, thank you! I will try to work this out. I don't have the answers bc the homework is online.
 
orange03 said:
Okay, thank you! I will try to work this out. I don't have the answers bc the homework is online.

Okay, just for reference, I got 0.03469m (I used [tex]g\approx 9.81 \tfrac{m}{s^2}[/tex])
 
orange03 said:
would f=190 rev/min? and how would i find centripetal acceleration?

I think I got confused because the only factor I was missing was velocity so I just made 19.89 rad/sec into velocity but I think it's angular velocity.

You are correct however you should in future note that you can't make anything into something else without doing something to it first!

Meaning, angular velocity is NOT linear velocity. that's like saying radians (angle) equals meters (length). Which makes no sense!

So in order to convert you have to use the formula Royal Cat gave, [tex]v= r \omega[/tex] (velocity) = (distance) x (angular velocity)
 

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