Graphing rotation & linear quantites

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the analysis of rotational motion and its representation through graphs, specifically focusing on the relationship between linear and angular quantities as a bike wheel spins. Participants are examining how to interpret various graphs related to x position, y velocity, angular position, and angular velocity over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to identify which graphs correspond to specific quantities, such as x position versus time and angular position versus time. Questions arise regarding the nature of y velocity and its potential to change signs. There is also discussion about the implications of constant angular velocity and how it affects the graphs.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the relationship between the velocity vector and its components, while others are exploring the implications of defining directions as positive or negative. There is an ongoing examination of the characteristics of the graphs, with no clear consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption of constant angular velocity and are trying to visualize the motion based on a specific starting position on a clock face. There is uncertainty regarding the definitions of positive and negative directions in the context of angular motion.

thinktank75
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While working on her bike, Amanita turns it upside down and gives the front wheel a counterclockwise spin. It spins at approximately constant speed for a few seconds. During this portion of the motion, she records the x and y positions and velocities, as well as the angular position and angular velocity, for the point on the rim designated by the yellow-orange dot in the figure. View Figure Let the origin of the coordinate system be at the center of the wheel, the positive x direction to the right, the positive y position up, and the positive angular position counterclockwise. The graphs View Figure begin when the point is at the indicated position.
http://img274.imageshack.us/img274/3427/1011381be.jpg

Which of the graphs corresponds to x position versus time?
-> would this be a [ C ] because the position doesn't move as time passes by? Or is this different for rotational?

Which of the graphs corresponds to angular position versus time?
Would this be [ E ] since it starts with position 0, then it goes to a positive position, then negatice, to posive etc?

Which of the graphs corresponds to y velocity versus time?
What do they mean by y velocity? (vertical velocity)
would the vertical velocity do negative to positive and back to negative again? Is this possible? so graph [ G ] ?

Which of the following graphs corresponds to angular velocity versus time?
I have no idea...

Thanks :approve:
 
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The velocity vector is tangent to the circle, and you can decompose it to x and y components, so I guess that's what was meant ba x and y velocity.
 
radou said:
The velocity vector is tangent to the circle, and you can decompose it to x and y components, so I guess that's what was meant ba x and y velocity.

What about the other responses? I'm not too 100% sure... would there be a point when velocty y would be 0? so it must be one of the sin or cos graphcs?
 
thinktank75 said:
What about the other responses? I'm not too 100% sure... would there be a point when velocty y would be 0? so it must be one of the sin or cos graphcs?

Think about it this way: fix your eyes on a point on the rotating circle. The velocity vector will always be tangential to the circle, so, at which point will the y-component of velocity vanish? (Hint: the two points at which there is only the x-component.)
 
Would it be [ E ]? the velocity can have a negative value? (since Y is negative) but why isn't it a straight line? isn't the velocity constant?

Edit: E was wrong, but the wheel starts rotating at position 15 minutes on a clock.. if you can visualize that :)
 
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Which of the graphs corresponds to angular position versus time?

Okay, angular position is given (for constant angular velocity, as stated) , by [tex]\phi(t)=\omega\cdot t[/tex], where [tex]\omega[/tex] is angular velocity, so it's a linear function.

Which of the following graphs corresponds to angular velocity versus time?

Well, we said that angular velocity is constant, right? :smile:
 
radou said:
Which of the graphs corresponds to angular position versus time?

Okay, angular position is given (for constant angular velocity, as stated) , by [tex]\phi(t)=\omega\cdot t[/tex], where [tex]\omega[/tex] is angular velocity, so it's a linear function.

Which of the following graphs corresponds to angular velocity versus time?

Well, we said that angular velocity is constant, right? :smile:


Since they're linear ('cause they're constant) is it the graph C? (positive, but what about the linear graphics that is negative, decreasing and increasing, those are confusing me)
 
thinktank75 said:
Since they're linear ('cause they're constant) is it the graph C? (positive, but what about the linear graphics that is negative, decreasing and increasing, those are confusing me)

Well, that depends if you defined counter clockwise (I think you said that was the direction of rotation) as positive or negative.
 
radou said:
Well, that depends if you defined counter clockwise (I think you said that was the direction of rotation) as positive or negative.

since its counterclockwise it would go to positive (so increasing) but then in reaches right back down to negative.. so non of the line graphics work?
 
  • #10
thinktank75 said:
since its counterclockwise it would go to positive (so increasing) but then in reaches right back down to negative.. so non of the line graphics work?

It does not reach anything negative. Angular speed is constant. If you accepted counter clockwise as positive, then it's the graph on the positive side.
 

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