The discussion centers on the convention of signed angles in rotational motion, specifically addressing the confusion surrounding the answer of negative 126 radians. The consensus is that in planar coordinates, the standard convention dictates that counterclockwise rotations are considered positive, while clockwise rotations are negative. Therefore, since the wagon's wheels rotate clockwise, the correct answer is indeed negative 126 radians. This highlights the importance of understanding the sign conventions in angular measurements.
PREREQUISITESStudents studying physics, educators teaching rotational dynamics, and anyone seeking clarity on angular measurement conventions in planar motion.
The wagon is moving in the +x direction. Which way will the wheels rotate? What is the usual convention for the sign of a rotation in planar co-ordinates?goonking said:
wheels will rotate clockwise.haruspex said:
Yes, and what is usually taken as the positive direction for a rotation in the plane?goonking said:
I thought it didn't matter which direction you set to be positive or negative.haruspex said:
The standard convention, e.g. in polar co-ordinates, is anticlockwise positive.goonking said: