Rotational motion, using torque to find power

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the torque and power required for an electric motor to accelerate a Ferris wheel with a moment of inertia of 19200 kg·m² to a speed of 9.11 rev/min. The torque generated by the motor is determined to be 2080.257403 Nm. To maintain this rotational speed, the power calculation must account for energy loss due to friction, rather than using the torque from the motor directly. The correct approach involves using the relationship between torque, angular displacement, and time to find the power needed to sustain the speed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational dynamics and moment of inertia
  • Familiarity with angular velocity conversions (rev/min to radians/s)
  • Knowledge of torque and power equations in rotational motion
  • Basic principles of energy loss due to friction
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to convert angular velocity from revolutions per minute to radians per second
  • Study the relationship between torque, angular displacement, and power in rotational systems
  • Explore the effects of friction on rotational motion and energy loss calculations
  • Investigate advanced torque and power calculations in electric motors
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in the design or analysis of rotational systems, particularly in the context of electric motors and energy efficiency.

ba726
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Homework Statement


An electric motor can accelerate a Ferris wheel of moment of inertia 19200kgm2 from rest to 9.11 rev/min in 10.7s. When the motor is turned off, friction causes the wheel to slow down from 9.11 rev/min to 7.36 rev/min in 9.55s. Determine the torque generated by the motor to bring the wheel to 9.11 rev/min. Answer in units of Nm. Also, determine the power needed to maintain the rotational speed at 9.11 rev/min. Answer in units of W.


Homework Equations



torquenet= Inertia x angular acceleration
angular velocity (final)= angular velocity (initial) + ang accel x time
Power=torque x ang velocity


The Attempt at a Solution



I already found part 1, the torque generated by the motor (2080.257403 Nm) and I'm completely stuck on part 2. I don't know if I'm doing it wrong or what. I originally used the torque from the motor times the ang velocity converted to radians/s from rev/min. I've used net torque times the same ang velocity. I forgot to convert the 9.11 ang velocity so I've used both torques with ang velocity in rev/min. What am I doing wrong?!?
 
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ba726 said:

Homework Statement


An electric motor can accelerate a Ferris wheel of moment of inertia 19200kgm2 from rest to 9.11 rev/min in 10.7s. When the motor is turned off, friction causes the wheel to slow down from 9.11 rev/min to 7.36 rev/min in 9.55s. Determine the torque generated by the motor to bring the wheel to 9.11 rev/min. Answer in units of Nm. Also, determine the power needed to maintain the rotational speed at 9.11 rev/min. Answer in units of W.


Homework Equations



torquenet= Inertia x angular acceleration
angular velocity (final)= angular velocity (initial) + ang accel x time
Power=torque x ang velocity


The Attempt at a Solution



I already found part 1, the torque generated by the motor (2080.257403 Nm) and I'm completely stuck on part 2. I don't know if I'm doing it wrong or what. I originally used the torque from the motor times the ang velocity converted to radians/s from rev/min. I've used net torque times the same ang velocity. I forgot to convert the 9.11 ang velocity so I've used both torques with ang velocity in rev/min. What am I doing wrong?!?
You do not use the torque generated by the motor in accelerating the wheel to solve the second part. You have to determine how much power is needed to keep the wheel going. That is a function of the rate of energy loss due to friction on the wheel.

Use:

\Delta L = I\Delta \omega

\tau = \frac{\Delta L}{\Delta t}

\Delta E = \tau \theta

AM
 

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