How Is Acceleration Calculated in Rotational Motion?

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Acceleration in rotational motion is calculated using both tangential and normal components. Tangential acceleration, denoted as a_t, is derived from angular acceleration (α) and radius (r), while normal acceleration (a_n) is based on angular velocity (ω) and radius. The calculations provided yield a_t as 1.26 m/s² and a_n as approximately 32.205 m/s², leading to a total acceleration of about 31.2 m/s² when combined vectorially. A discussion on the proper units for angular acceleration highlights the importance of ensuring consistency in derivations. Overall, understanding the relationship between angular and linear quantities is crucial for accurate calculations in rotational dynamics.
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Homework Statement
On picture
Relevant Equations
##\theta = \theta_0 + \omega _0 t + \frac {1}{2} \alpha t^2##
##\omega = \omega_0 + \alpha t##
##\omega^2 = \omega_0^2 + 2 \alpha (\theta - \theta_0)##
##a_t = \alpha * r##
##a_n = \omega^2 * r##
Capture.png

Answer should be (c) 32,7 ##\frac{m}{s^2}##

My attempt:

##\omega_{2\pi}## -> ##\omega## after 1 revolution
##\omega_{2\pi} = 0,2 * (2\pi)^2##
##\omega_{2\pi} = 7,9 \frac{rad}{s}##

##\frac {d}{dt}\omega = \alpha = 0,2*2*\theta##
##\alpha_{2\pi}## -> ##\alpha## after 1 revolution
##\alpha_{2\pi} = 2,51 \frac {rad}{s}##

##a_n## -> normal acceleration
##a_t## -> tangential acceleration

##a_t = \alpha_{2\pi} * r = 1,26 \frac {m}{s^2}##
##a_n = \omega^2 * r = 32,205 \frac {m}{s^2}##
##a = \sqrt{a_n^2 + a_t^2} = 31,2 \frac{m}{s^2}##
 
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Vladimir_Kitanov said:
##\frac {d}{dt}\omega = \alpha = 0,2*2*\theta##
##\alpha_{2\pi}## -> ##\alpha## after 1 revolution
##\alpha_{2\pi} = 2,51 \frac {rad}{s}##
Does ##\alpha## have the proper units of angular acceleration in your derivation?
 
Vladimir_Kitanov said:
##\frac {d}{dt}\omega = \alpha = 0,2*2*\theta##
I am concerned with:
##\frac {d}{dt}\omega = \alpha = 0,2*2*\theta##

You are given ##\omega## as a function of ##\theta##. But you appear to have differentiated with respect to ##\theta## and obtained a derivative with respect to ##t##.
 
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This might be easier to think about the differentiation
## \omega = 0.2 \cdot (\theta(t))^2##

Note, some of the formulas you listed as "relevant" does not apply here. Why is it so?
 
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malawi_glenn said:
Note, some of the formulas you listed as "relevant" does not apply here. Why is it so?
I just put them there.
They are useful in some problems like that.
 
erobz said:
Does ##\alpha## have the proper units of angular acceleration in your derivation?
No ##\alpha## have unit ##\frac{rad}{s^2}##
But that does not change anything.
 
jbriggs444 said:
I am concerned with:
##\frac {d}{dt}\omega = \alpha = 0,2*2*\theta##

You are given ##\omega## as a function of ##\theta##. But you appear to have differentiated with respect to ##\theta## and obtained a derivative with respect to ##t##.
That is my mistake.
Thanks.

It should be:
##\alpha = 0,2*2*\theta*\omega##
Derivative of ##\theta## with respect to time is ##\omega##
 
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Vladimir_Kitanov said:
No ##\alpha## have unit ##\frac{rad}{s^2}##
But that does not change anything.
But it does.

For future reference: If you derive something, and its units do not match the quantity you are after then there is a mistake in said derivation.
 
To summarize, $$\alpha=\frac{d\omega}{dt}=\frac{d\omega}{d\theta}\frac{d\theta}{dt}=\omega \frac{d\omega}{d\theta}.$$What is the tangential component ##a_t##?
 
  • #10
kuruman said:
$$\alpha=\frac{d\omega}{dt}=\frac{d\omega}{d\theta}\frac{d\theta}{dt}=\omega \frac{d\omega}{d\theta}.$$What is the tangential component ##a_t##?
##a_t = \alpha * r##
##\alpha## is angular acceleration.
Capture.png
 
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  • #11
The term “linear” acceleration is confusing in the problem statement. What I think is being calculated is just the magnitude of the acceleration?
 
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  • #12
erobz said:
The term “linear” acceleration is confusing in the problem statement. What I think is being calculated is just the magnitude of the acceleration?
Yes
 
  • #13
Vladimir_Kitanov said:
Yes
You got the basic concept correct in your OP but just are having issues with the numerical calculations. It is the vector sum as you tried to compute originally. You just need to be very careful computing ##a_n## and ##a_t## especially the part explained by @kuruman in post #9.
 
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  • #14
Vladimir_Kitanov said:
##a_t = \alpha_{2\pi} * r = 1,26 \frac {m}{s^2}##
##a_n = \omega^2 * r = 32,205 \frac {m}{s^2}##
##a = \sqrt{a_n^2 + a_t^2} = 31,2 \frac{m}{s^2}##
In addition to the other comments, can I add that the hypotenuse is the longest side of a right-triangle.

(Minor edit.)
 
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