Calculating the Resulting Speed of a Student on a Turntable

In summary, a student of mass 40 kg stands on a frictionless turntable with a diameter of 5m and mass of 400 kg, initially rotating counterclockwise at 2 rev/min. The student then walks around the edge of the turntable, causing it to come to rest. The resulting speed of the student is 3.135 m/s in the counterclockwise direction. This is found by using the conservation of angular momentum equation and solving for the final angular velocity, then using the relation between angular velocity and tangential velocity.
  • #1
ernay
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Homework Statement


A student of mass m=40 kg is standing on the edge of a uniform, frictionless turntable, with diameter d = 5m and mass M=400 kg. The student and the turntable are initially rotating counterclockwise together about a fixed axis through the center of the turntable with an angular velocity of wi = 2 rev/min.
The student now start to walk around the edge of the turntable so that the turntable comes to rest. What is the resulting speed v of the student relative to someone standing next to the turntable? In what direction is the student walking, clockwise or counter clockwise?

Homework Equations


conversion of rev/min to rad/s = rev/min * 1min/60s * 2(pi)/1rev
Conservation of angular momentum:
Li = Lf


The Attempt at a Solution


(Iturntable + Istudent)wi = Iturntable(wf) + Istudent(wfinal for student)
( (1/2)(400)(2.5)2 + (40)(2.5)2) (.209) = ( (1/2)(400)(2.5)2) (0) + ( (40)(2.5)2 ) wf

Solve for wf and I got 1.254 rad/s
Then use v = (r)wf = (2.5)(1.254) = 3.135 m/s
The student is walking in the counterclockwise direction

Can someone let me know if this is right? I thought it was too easy for a 30 point question
 
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  • #2
I didn't plug in the numbers, but the method looks OK.
 

1. What is a "Student on a Turntable" experiment?

The "Student on a Turntable" experiment is a classic physics demonstration used to demonstrate the principles of rotational motion and centripetal force. It involves placing a student on a rotating turntable and observing the effects of changing the rotational speed on the student's motion and perception.

2. What is the purpose of the "Student on a Turntable" experiment?

The purpose of the experiment is to illustrate the concept of centripetal force and how it affects an object in circular motion. It also helps to demonstrate the relationship between rotational speed, radius, and centripetal force.

3. How does the "Student on a Turntable" experiment work?

The experiment works by placing a student on a rotating turntable and gradually increasing the rotational speed. As the speed increases, the student will feel a force pulling them towards the center of the turntable, causing them to lean inward. This is the centripetal force at work, keeping the student in circular motion.

4. What factors affect the results of the "Student on a Turntable" experiment?

The results of the experiment can be affected by the rotational speed, the radius of the turntable, and the mass of the student. Increasing the rotational speed or decreasing the radius will result in a stronger centripetal force, while increasing the mass of the student will require a greater centripetal force to keep them in motion.

5. What real-life applications can be demonstrated through the "Student on a Turntable" experiment?

The principles of centripetal force and rotational motion demonstrated in this experiment have many real-life applications. These include understanding the motion of objects in orbit, the dynamics of amusement park rides, and the operation of centrifuges in industries such as medicine and chemistry.

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