How long does it take for the sun to move its own diameter?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in rotational kinematics, specifically regarding the time it takes for the sun to move a distance equal to its own diameter as observed from Earth. The problem involves understanding angular motion and the relationship between angular displacement and time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to convert radians to degrees and the importance of determining the radius. There are questions about the time factor in the context of rotational kinematics and the angular speed of the observer on Earth. One participant suggests visualizing the problem using a laser beam to understand the angular displacement over time.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the problem, including the conversion of angular speed to radians per second. There is recognition of the complexity of the question and acknowledgment that it may be poorly worded, but no consensus has been reached on a specific approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that there seems to be insufficient information provided in the problem statement, which may hinder the ability to find a clear solution.

shaka23h
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The sun appears to move across the sky, because the Earth spins on its axis. To a person standing on the earth, the sun subtends an angle of sun = 9.30 x 10-3 rad (see Conceptual Example 2). How much time (in seconds) does it take for the sun to move a distance equal to its own diameter?



I know that I probably need convert radians to degrees and find the length of the r first?

I just don't know where the heck the time factor comes in this rotational kinematics problem. There seems to not be enough information.
 
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shaka23h said:
The sun appears to move across the sky, because the Earth spins on its axis. To a person standing on the earth, the sun subtends an angle of sun = 9.30 x 10-3 rad (see Conceptual Example 2). How much time (in seconds) does it take for the sun to move a distance equal to its own diameter?



I know that I probably need convert radians to degrees and find the length of the r first?

I just don't know where the heck the time factor comes in this rotational kinematics problem. There seems to not be enough information.
What is the angular speed of the observer on the earth?

AM
 
Yes, problems like these can make your head hurt.

Think of it like this: Imagine a laser beam shining from the surface of the Earth into the sky. Due to the rotation of the Earth this beam will sweep over the sky. How many radians does the beam cover in one second due to the rotation of the earth?
 
The Sun "goes around the Earth" every 1 day, that is, it rotates [tex]2 \pi[/tex] radians per day.

Convert this to 'radians per second'. Now you have a speed (in radians/second) and a distance (in radians). You can now find the time.
 
Thank god someone answered this. I've been stuck on the exact same problem from the same text. The question is worded quite poorly.
 

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