Motion in a circle of helicopter rotor

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the linear speed and radial acceleration of helicopter rotor blades. Given a rotor with four blades, each 3.20m long, rotating at 600 revolutions per minute (rev/min), the linear speed is determined to be 32.0 m/s. The radial acceleration is calculated using the formula \( a_{rad} = \frac{V^2}{R} \), resulting in 320 m/s². To express this acceleration as a multiple of gravitational acceleration (g), the value is divided by 9.8 m/s².

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of angular velocity and linear speed conversion
  • Familiarity with the formula for radial acceleration
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration (g = 9.8 m/s²)
  • Basic principles of circular motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn the relationship between angular speed and linear speed using \( v = \omega r \)
  • Study the concept of centripetal acceleration in circular motion
  • Explore the effects of varying rotor speeds on helicopter performance
  • Investigate the dynamics of helicopter rotor blade design and aerodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and circular motion, as well as engineers involved in helicopter design and aerodynamics.

Edwardo_Elric
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Homework Statement


A model of a helicopter rotor has four blades, each 3.20m in length from the central shaft to the blade tip. The model is rotated in a wind tunnel at 600rev/min. a.) What is the linear speed of the blade in m/s?
b.) What is the radial acceleration of the blade expressed as a multiple of the acceleration due to gravity g?

Homework Equations


a_{rad} = \frac{V^2}{R}
a_{rad} = \frac{4{\pi}^2R}{T^2}


The Attempt at a Solution


a.) convert: 600rev / min ( 1 min / 60secs) = 10 rev / s
Multiplied 3.20m by 10 rev / s = 32.0m/s?

b.) a_{rad} = \frac{V^2}{R}
a_{rad} = (32.0m/s)^2 / (3.20m) = 320m/s^2

i don't understand the radial acceleration of blade expressed as a multiple of g...
is my answers correct?
 
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Edwardo_Elric said:
a.) convert: 600rev / min ( 1 min / 60secs) = 10 rev / s
Multiplied 3.20m by 10 rev / s = 32.0m/s?
Careful. To convert between linear and angular speed, use v = \omega r, where \omega is in radians/sec, not rev/s.

Alternatively, realize that 1 revolution covers 1 circumference, which equals 2 \pi r.

b.) a_{rad} = \frac{V^2}{R}
a_{rad} = (32.0m/s)^2 / (3.20m) = 320m/s^2
Redo this with the correct speed.

i don't understand the radial acceleration of blade expressed as a multiple of g...
Since g = 9.8 m/s^2, just divide your answer by that value to get an answer as a multiple of g.
 

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