Simple rotation/elasticity problem

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The discussion revolves around calculating the stretch of a steel rod in an amusement park ride due to rotation. Participants are trying to determine the tensile force caused by centripetal acceleration, which requires knowing the radius of rotation and converting angular speed from revolutions per minute to radians per second. A formula for calculating the change in length of the rod is provided, but one participant encounters an unreasonably large value for stretch, prompting questions about the accuracy of their calculations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of unit conversions and clarifying assumptions about the rod's orientation during operation. Accurate calculations are crucial for understanding the physical behavior of the ride components.
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An amusement park ride consists of airplane-shaped cars attached to steel rods. Each rod has a length of 14.0 m and a cross-sectional area of 0.000780m^2. When operating, the ride has a maximum angular speed of 8.00 rev/min. How much is the rod stretched?

Take the Young's modulus for the rod to be Y = 2×10^11 Pa and the free fall acceleration to be g = 9.80 m/s^2

Umm... I am really just stumped on this one. Really its just the rotation part that's messing me up. What outward force would be caused by the rotation? Would the rotation even change the amount stretched from a still position? Haha, I would really appreciate a push in the right direction. :confused:
 
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The cars are going around in circles. Each car is subject to a centripetal force provided by the rods. The rods are being stretched by the force of the car and attachment at the axis of rotation.

Was the rotation axis specified? Is the motion horizontal?
 
ok so to find the tensile force, I will use the centripetal force. so F=(mv^2)/R. And v=R(omega). So F=R(omega)^2(m). But to find this force wouldn't I need to know the radius of the rotation?
 
ninjagowoowoo said:
Each rod has a length of 14.0 m
You'll have to decide if you want to assume that the rods are horizontal at the time you are interested in. I would simply because it would make things easier.
 
Nope still not working. using the formula for F that I gave earlier, and that
changeinlength = F(originallength)/(crosssectionalarea)(modulus)
I get that:
change in length = r(omega^2)m(orig length) / AY where Y is the modulus.
so I use the following values:
R = 14m
omega = 3015.92895rad/s (converted from rev/min)
m = 203.0612245 (1990N/9.8m/s/s)
orig length = 14m
A = 0.00078m^2
Y=2*10^11
and when i plug in the numbers I get a rediculous number (2320.602127m). Any other suggestions?
 
ninjagowoowoo said:
omega = 3015.92895rad/s (converted from rev/min)

and when i plug in the numbers I get a rediculous number (2320.602127m). Any other suggestions?

See if you can fix that ridiculous value for omega :smile:
I did not check the rest of your calculation
 
well if it was in rev/min wouldn't i have to convert it to rad/s?

*(2pi*60)?

8*2*pi = 50.2654825 radian/min * 60 = 3015.92... rad/sec
 
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\omega = \frac{8\ \ rev}{min} \cdot \frac{2\pi\ \ rad}{rev} \cdot \frac{1\ \ min}{60\ \ sec}

Usually a good idea to write units.
 
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