How do I find tangential acceleration?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating tangential acceleration in the context of a centrifuge designed to spin at 15,180 revolutions per minute (rev/min). The maximum centripetal acceleration calculated using the formula v²/r is approximately 382,111 m/s² for a test-tube sample located 15.2 cm from the rotation axis. To find the tangential acceleration, which is defined as the rate of change of speed (dv/dt), the user seeks guidance on implementing this equation in their calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of centripetal acceleration and its calculation using v²/r
  • Basic knowledge of angular velocity and its conversion to linear velocity
  • Familiarity with the concept of tangential acceleration and its definition as dv/dt
  • Ability to perform unit conversions, particularly for time and distance
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to calculate angular velocity from revolutions per minute (RPM)
  • Study the relationship between linear and angular acceleration in rotational motion
  • Explore practical applications of tangential acceleration in engineering contexts
  • Review examples of calculating both centripetal and tangential acceleration in physics problems
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in designing or analyzing rotational systems, particularly in laboratory settings or centrifuge applications.

Loppyfoot
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Homework Statement


You are designing a centrifuge to spin at a rate of 15,180 rev/min.
(a) Calculate the maximum centripetal acceleration that a test-tube sample held in the centrifuge arm 15.2 cm from the rotation axis must withstand.
I found (a) by the formula v2/r and got approximately 382111m/s2 for the centripetal acceleration.

(b) It takes 1 min, 14 s for the centrifuge to spin up to its maximum rate of revolution from rest. Calculate the magnitude of the tangential acceleration of the centrifuge while it is spinning up, assuming that the tangential acceleration is constant.

How do I find the tangential acceleration? I know that it is dv/dt, but how do I implement this equation into the problem?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
(a) looks good.

Tangential acceleration is the rate of change of speed .
 

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