Uniform Circular Motion Space Station question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the required rotation speed of a proposed space station designed as a circular tube with a radius of 1.9 km to simulate Earth's gravity (1.0g). The correct formula for centripetal acceleration is applied, leading to a calculated period of approximately 61.86 seconds per revolution, resulting in a rotation speed of about 1400 revolutions per day. A common error identified was the misinterpretation of the radius, which was initially confused with the diameter. This clarification was crucial for arriving at the correct solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of centripetal acceleration and its formula: a = v²/r
  • Familiarity with gravitational acceleration (g = 9.8 m/s²)
  • Ability to perform unit conversions (seconds to revolutions per day)
  • Knowledge of basic circular motion concepts and equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of centripetal acceleration equations
  • Learn about the effects of artificial gravity in rotating space habitats
  • Explore the implications of radius and diameter in circular motion calculations
  • Investigate the physics of rotational dynamics in space environments
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in the design and functionality of rotating space habitats will benefit from this discussion.

winnayy
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Homework Statement


A proposed space station consists of a circular tube that will rotate about its center (like a tubular bicycle tire), as shown in the figure (http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1057181/4/GIANCOLI.ch05.p048.jpg). The circle formed by the tube has a radius of about 1.9 km. What must be the rotation speed (revolutions per day) if an effect equal to gravity at the surface of the Earth (1.0g) is to be felt?

g = 9.8 m/s2
r = 1900m/2 = 950m

Homework Equations


g = (4\pir2/T2)

The Attempt at a Solution


Solve for T:
T = \sqrt{}(4\pir2/g)
T = 2\pi\sqrt{}(r/g)

Plug in known values:
T = 2\pi\sqrt{}(950m/9.8m/s2) = 61.86266614 sec/rev

Seconds in a day:
(24hr/day)(60min/hr)(60sec/min) = 86400sec

(86400s/day)/(61.86266614sec/rev) = 1396.642936 rev/day

Rounded to two significant figures, this is 1400 rev/day, but MasteringPhysics keeps telling me I'm wrong. I've tried another way finding the velocity and diving that into the circumference to get T, and I get the same answer... so I'm confused as to where my mistake lies.

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Last edited:
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welcome to pf!

hi winnayy! welcome to pf! :smile:

(have a pi: π :wink:)

no, g isn't 4πr2/T2 :redface:

(and is r 1900 or 950? :confused:)
 
Thank you, Tim =).

g = 9.8 m/s2
r = 950m
(Sorry for the confusion.)

Using the formula for centripetal acceleration:
a = v2/r
9.8 = v2/950
v = 96.4883416 m/s

Rotation speed:
c = 2\pir = 5969.926942m
P = c/v = 5969.926942m / 96.4883416m/s = 61.86266592 s

Number of revolutions per day:
(24hr/day)(60min/hr)(60sec/min) = 86400s/61.86266592s = 1396.642041 rev/day

I still get the same number using a different equation? :(
 
Last edited:
hi winnayy! :smile:

your solution looks ok to me :confused:
 
ah~ It looks okay to me, too, so I can't figure out why Mastering Physics won't accept it x___x. Thank you, though, Tim!

edit: /facepalm. You were right to question what the radius was! I was reading incorrectly this whole time and blew the number they gave us to be the diameter, sigh. Thank you for your help, Tim =).
 
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