Revs per min from metres per second

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the required revolutions per second for a centrifuge based on given parameters, including the radius, mass of a red corpuscle, and the force acting on it. The subject area pertains to dynamics and rotational motion.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss converting linear velocity to angular velocity and then to revolutions per second. Some explore using centripetal force equations, while others question the accuracy of their calculations and the steps involved in the conversion process.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations of the problem-solving approach, with some participants providing guidance on the relationships between linear and angular quantities. A participant expresses confusion over their calculations, leading to further clarification from others.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may limit the information available and the methods they can use. There is also a mention of a specific expected answer, which adds pressure to verify calculations.

Taryn
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okay so here is the problem and here is wat I did!
I am just tryin to study up for exams now... and this is one of the problems!

A sample of blood is placed in a centrifuge of radius 17.5 cm. The mass of a red corpuscle is 3.00×10-16 kg, and the magnitude of the force required to make it settle out of the plasma is 4.08×10-11 N. At how many revolutions per second should the centrifuge be operated?

Basically wat I did is found the velocity in metres per second first which I find is 154m/s which I found by usin F=(mv^2)/r
But here is the simple problem that I am confused about... how do I change this to revs/sec. Is it somethin to do with C=2PIr, that's all I can think of!
Thanks for your help!
 
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Taryn said:
Basically wat I did is found the velocity in metres per second first which I find is 154m/s which I found by usin F=(mv^2)/r
But here is the simple problem that I am confused about... how do I change this to revs/sec. Is it somethin to do with C=2PIr, that's all I can think of!
Thanks for your help!

You could do it that way, however it is easier to remember that if we resolve Newton's second law radially we achieve;

F = m\alpha

Where alpha is centripetal acceleration and \alpha = r\omega^2 where omega is angular velocity (rads/s). Thus;

\fbox{F = mr\omega^2}

You method is completely valid, but is a bit long winded :biggrin:. You can convert radians per second into revolutions per second by dividing by 2\pi.
 
Last edited:
okay I did that and now I am so far off... I did 123686.127rev/sec.
so wat I did was w^2=f/mr
but then I got that in rads per second =7.77E5 which is bigger then I expected.
So I then divided by 2*PI... then it was wrong... the answer is meant to be 140.3
 
Taryn said:
okay I did that and now I am so far off... I did 123686.127rev/sec.
so wat I did was w^2=f/mr
but then I got that in rads per second =7.77E5 which is bigger then I expected.
So I then divided by 2*PI... then it was wrong... the answer is meant to be 140.3

You forgot to square root the 7.77x105. If you square root that value then divide by 2\pi you sould obtain the correct answer.
 
thanks a lot I appreciate it, I thought I did sqaure root the answer but now I got the right answer.! ;P
 
Taryn said:
thanks a lot I appreciate it, I thought I did sqaure root the answer but now I got the right answer.! ;P

No problem :smile:
 
Hootenanny said:
You could do it that way, however it is easier to remember that if we resolve Newton's second law radially we achieve;

F = m\alpha

Where alpha is angular acceleration and \alpha = r\omega^2 where omega is angular velocity (rads/s). Thus;

\fbox{F = mr\omega^2}
I am sure you meant to say that the quantity r\omega^2 = v^2/r is the centripetal acceleration not angular acceleration.

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
I am sure you meant to say that the quantity r\omega^2 = v^2/r is the centripetal acceleration not angular acceleration.

AM

Thank-you andrew, duly corrected.
 

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