Rotation rate of hour hand on clock?

In summary, the rotation rate in revolutions per minute of the hour hand of a clock is 1/720 or 1/(12x60). This can be found by inverting the reciprocal of the number of minutes in 12 hours, which is 720. The other options of 1/24 and 1/(24x60) are incorrect.
  • #1
BioGuy
5
0
What is the rotation rate in revolutions per minute of the hour hand of a clock?

a.) 1/(12x60)
b.) 1/24
c.) 1/(24x60)
d.) none of these

I am not too sure how to answer this, i want to say its (a.) because it makes the most sense... ??any suggestions??
 
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  • #2
How many minutes are there in 12hours (the time it takes to go around the clock?)
If you have N minutes/revolution - how do you get to revolutions/minute?

hint - if you are going 10miles/hour, what fraction of an hour does it take to go 1 mile
 
  • #3
there are 720 minutes in 12 hours..

you invert(recipricol) of xmin/rev to get revolutions/min

im still a little lost... :-/ how can we disprove some choices?
 
  • #4
one of the key differences in your choices are the numbers 12 and 24. What do they represent, and which one is relevant in the case of a full rotation of the hour hand?
 
  • #5
BioGuy said:
there are 720 minutes in 12 hours..
you invert(recipricol) of xmin/rev to get revolutions/min
Exactly so the answer is 1/(12*60) = 1/720 as you said.
You don't need to disprove the others - they are just wrong!
 

1. What is the rotation rate of an hour hand on a clock?

The rotation rate of an hour hand on a clock is one full rotation every 12 hours. This means that the hour hand moves at a rate of 30 degrees per hour, completing one full rotation every 12 hours.

2. Does the rotation rate of the hour hand change depending on the type of clock?

Yes, the rotation rate of the hour hand may vary depending on the type of clock. For example, an analog clock typically has a rotation rate of 30 degrees per hour, while a digital clock has a constant rotation rate of 0 degrees per hour.

3. Why does the hour hand on a clock rotate counterclockwise?

The hour hand on a clock rotates counterclockwise because it follows the direction of the Earth's rotation. The Earth rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above the North Pole, so the hour hand on a clock also moves in this direction.

4. How does the rotation rate of the hour hand affect the time displayed on a clock?

The rotation rate of the hour hand directly affects the time displayed on a clock. The hour hand moves at a constant rate of 30 degrees per hour, so the position of the hour hand determines the time shown on the clock face.

5. Is the rotation rate of the hour hand affected by the length of the hour hand?

Yes, the rotation rate of the hour hand is affected by the length of the hour hand. A longer hour hand will move at a slower rate, while a shorter hour hand will move at a faster rate. This is because the longer the hand, the greater the distance it needs to cover in one rotation.

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