Rotating wheel, proving that power is proportional to square of torque

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a mechanics problem involving a rotating wheel with constant angular acceleration. The original poster seeks to prove relationships between power and torque in the context of rotational motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different definitions of torque and its relationship to angular momentum and angular acceleration. There are suggestions to focus on the rate of change of rotational kinetic energy and to consider the implications of angular momentum.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active with various approaches being proposed. Some participants suggest starting from known equations related to kinetic energy and torque, while others recommend alternative perspectives involving angular momentum. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about how to proceed with the problem, indicating a potential lack of familiarity with the concepts involved. The problem constraints focus on proving specific relationships without providing numerical values or additional context.

djfusion777
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I have a mechanics question.

"A wheel starts from rest and rotates with constant angular acceleration about a fixed axis.

1) Prove that the power at any given time is proportional to the square of the net torque about the axis.

2) Prove that the power at any given angular displacement is proportional to the 3/2 power of the total torque about the axis at that angular displacement"

I know that Torque = r x F

Power in this case is rate of change of rotational Kinetic Energy, Ek = 1/2I (omega)^2 where I = moment of inertia.

No idea where to go from here, any help much appreciated!
 
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That's not the only thing torque equals. This problem doesn't mention force, it does mention angular acceleration though, hmmmmz...

A decent place to start, since you have an expression for Ek and you know you're looking for something dealing with the rate of change of Ek, is to find that rate of change of Ek, eh?
 
I wouldn't take that approach, I was thinking torque=I*angular acceleration, then take the time of derivative of Ek, and you're about one substitution away from beautiful victory
 

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