Finding revolution of different sized wheels

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the number of revolutions made by the rear wheel of a penny farthing bicycle, given the front wheel's revolutions and their respective radii. The front wheel, with a radius of 1.20m, makes 276 revolutions, leading to a calculated distance of 6120m. By dividing this distance by the circumference of the rear wheel (0.340m radius), the correct number of revolutions for the rear wheel is determined to be 974. The confusion arose from a miscalculation involving the conversion from radians to revolutions using the formula s = rθ.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational motion and wheel mechanics
  • Familiarity with the formula s = rθ for calculating distance
  • Knowledge of converting between radians and revolutions
  • Basic proficiency with calculators for mathematical operations
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  • Study the relationship between wheel radius and revolutions in circular motion
  • Learn about the conversion between radians and revolutions in detail
  • Explore practical applications of the s = rθ formula in real-world scenarios
  • Investigate common mistakes in calculations involving π and calculator usage
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This discussion is beneficial for students studying physics, particularly those focusing on rotational dynamics, as well as educators looking for examples of common calculation errors in mechanics.

slambert56
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Ok the answer in the back of my book says 974 revolutions and a very short hand way to get that is divide the big wheel radius by the small wheel radius to get 3.53 so i can just multiply 3.53 times the 276 rev to get 974 rev. But I tried a long way using the s=rtheta formula b/c on a test I probably can't get all points without using a formula. I got a different answer and I don't know why. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Here is the question and my work is in the picture.
A penny farthing bicycle(has a large front wheel and a small rear wheel). On a sunday ride the front wheel(r=1.20m) makes 276 revolutions. How many revolutions does the rear wheel(r=.340m) make?
Okay so I simply use the formula s=r times theta. I know to use this formula I have to have radians and I converted and then at the end convert back to revolutions. i rev=2pie radians.

Now I first found the total distance traveled by the big wheel by finding s which is the distance and this is the same for the small wheel so i just plugged it in. Am I missing something?? THANKS.
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You should post this in the homework section.
How did you get that 6120 divided by 2π is 9614? What value of π are you using?
 
I just divided 6120 by 2pie just to convert radians into revolutions. 1 rev= 2 pie radian
 
My question was about your numbers. How much is 6120 divided by 2π?
 
ahhhhh okay when i typed it into my calculator as (2pie) and it didnt multiply apparently. Its 974. Thanks for catching my dumb mistake. I thought it would automatically multiply but I have to put in the sign.
 

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