How Fast Does a Flywheel Spin at 7 Radians per Second?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the linear speed of a flywheel based on its rotational speed in radians per second and its diameter. Participants explore the relationship between angular velocity and linear velocity, applying formulas and correcting each other's calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the linear speed of a flywheel with a 15 cm diameter rotating at 7 rad/s, arriving at a result of 1320 cm/min but expresses uncertainty about the concept of radians.
  • Another participant agrees with the method but points out arithmetical errors, suggesting a formula involving radius and angular velocity.
  • A third participant reiterates the same formula and provides a different calculation, arriving at 3150 cm/min.
  • A subsequent post confirms the calculation of 3150 cm/min and explains the relationship between linear velocity and angular velocity.
  • Another participant presents a new scenario with a 30 cm radius wheel rotating at 3 rad/s and sets up the calculation for linear speed in m/s.
  • Another post confirms the setup as correct, but later, the participant realizes the answer should be in m/min instead.
  • The participant corrects their previous calculation, noting an error in the radius used in their initial computation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method for calculating linear speed but have differing results due to arithmetical errors. The discussion includes corrections and refinements of earlier claims, but no consensus is reached on the final values presented.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations depend on the correct interpretation of units and conversions between cm and m, which may affect the final results. There are unresolved arithmetical discrepancies in the calculations presented.

karush
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A flywheel with a $15cm$ diameter is rotating at a rate of $\displaystyle\frac{7 rad}{s}$
What is the linear speed of a point on the rim, in $\displaystyle\frac{cm}{min} $.

$s=r\theta$ so $7.5(7) = 152$cm
then $\displaystyle v=\frac{s}{t}=\frac{152cm}{s}\cdot\frac{60s}{min}=\frac{1320cm}{min}$

I am not sure just what a Radian (rad) is in this, so hope I didn't make this to simple. don't have answer so hope mine ok
 
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Your method is correct (but you have made some arithmetical errors)...I would write:

$$v=r\omega=\frac{15}{2}\text{ cm}\cdot7\frac{1}{\text{s}}\cdot\frac{60\text{ s}}{1\text{ min}}=?$$
 
MarkFL said:
Your method is correct (but you have made some arithmetical errors)...I would write:

$$v=r\omega=\frac{15}{2}\text{ cm}\cdot7\frac{1}{\text{s}}\cdot\frac{60\text{ s}}{1\text{ min}}=?$$
$\displaystyle\frac{3150 cm}{min}$
 
karush said:
$\displaystyle\frac{3150 cm}{min}$

Correct. The method you used is:

$$v=\frac{s}{t}=\frac{r\theta}{t}=r\frac{\theta}{t}$$

Now defining the angular velocity $\omega$ to be:

$$\omega=\frac{\theta}{t}$$

we then have:

$$v=r\omega$$

That is, the linear velocity $v$ is the product of the radius of motion and the angular velocity.

Did you find the error in your previous calculations?
 
let me see if this set up ok

a wheel with $30cm$ radius is rotating at a rate of $\displaystyle{3rad}{s}$ what is v in $\displaystyle\frac{m}{s}$
$\displaystyle v=r\omega$
$\displaystyle 30\text{ cm}\cdot3\frac{1}{\text{s}}\cdot \frac{m}{100\text{cm}}=$
 
karush said:
let me see if this set up ok

a wheel with $30cm$ radius is rotating at a rate of $\displaystyle{3rad}{s}$ what is v in $\displaystyle\frac{m}{s}$
$\displaystyle v=r\omega$
$\displaystyle 30\text{ cm}\cdot3\frac{1}{\text{s}}\cdot \frac{m}{100\text{cm}}=$

Yes, that is correct. (Clapping)
 
oops just noticed the ans should be in $$\frac{\text {m}}{\text {min}}$$

so...

$\displaystyle 30\text{ cm}\cdot \frac{3}{\text{s}}
\cdot \frac{60 \text { s}}{\text { min}}
\cdot \frac{\text { m}}{100\text{ cm}}=\frac{54 \text {m}}{\text {min}}$

- - - Updated - - -

MarkFL said:
Did you find the error in your previous calculations?

yes I had 152 cm it should be 52.5 cm
 

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