Physical units problem for a DC Motor with viscous friction

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving differential equations for a DC motor, specifically focusing on the interpretation and conversion of the viscous friction coefficient expressed in different unit forms, such as N*m*s and N*m*s/rad.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the nature of radians as a dimensionless quantity and question the validity of unit conversions related to the viscous friction coefficient. Some express confusion over the different representations of the coefficient in exercises.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations being explored regarding the units of viscous friction. Some participants provide clarifications about the nature of radians and the dimensional aspects of rotational quantities, while others express uncertainty about the correct unit representation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies in the unit representations found in exercises, leading to confusion about the appropriate application of these units in the context of DC motor equations.

IzitoI
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Homework Statement
30*10^-6 N*m*s
Relevant Equations
x N*m*s/rad
Hi everyone,

I'm trying to derive DC motor differential equations. I have some doubts:

I have a viscous friction coefficient in terms of N*m*s. Is it possible to express it in terms of N*m*s/rad? And how?

Some exercises show this value in Newton-meter-second and others in Newton-meter-second/rad so I'm a little bit confused.

Thank you :smile:
 
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A rad is not really a unit but a dimensionless quantity. It is used to express the measure of an angle as the ratio of the length of an arc ##s## on a circle of radius ##r##, that is ##\theta = s/r##. The angular frequency ##\omega## is given by ##\omega=\frac{d\theta}{dt}## and you see it expressed sometimes as rad/s and sometimes as s-1. To answer your question, 1 s/rad = 1 s.; there is no conversion factor.
 
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kuruman said:
A rad is not really a unit but a dimensionless quantity. It is used to express the measure of an angle as the ratio of the length of an arc ##s## on a circle of radius ##r##, that is ##\theta = s/r##. The angular frequency ##\omega## is given by ##\omega=\frac{d\theta}{dt}## and you see it expressed sometimes as rad/s and sometimes as s-1. To answer your question, 1 s/rad = 1 s.; there is no conversion factor.
I thought was like that but I wasn't sure. Thank you so much 😉
 
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IzitoI said:
Hi everyone,

I'm trying to derive DC motor differential equations. I have some doubts:

I have a viscous friction coefficient in terms of N*m*s. Is it possible to express it in terms of N*m*s/rad? And how?

Some exercises show this value in Newton-meter-second and others in Newton-meter-second/rad so I'm a little bit confused.

Thank you :smile:
There seems to be something wrong with one of your units.
For viscous friction coefficient, you can have Ns/m for linear or Nms/rad for rotational.
See e.g. https://lpsa.swarthmore.edu/Systems/MechRotating/RotMechSysElem.html
There is no Nms.

More generally, there have been many attempts to ascribe dimension to rotation, and it can be done, but it turns out to be "imaginary" in the sense that although radian has this new dimension radian2 is dimensionless.
 

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