What is the constant angular acceleration of a rotating wheel?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the constant angular acceleration of a rotating wheel that completes 37.0 revolutions in 2.93 seconds, achieving an angular speed of 97.1 rad/s at the end. The initial angular position is converted to radians, resulting in 232 radians. Participants emphasize using the kinematic equations for angular motion, specifically ωf = ωi + αt, to derive the initial angular velocity (ωi) and subsequently solve for angular acceleration (α). The correct angular acceleration is determined to be approximately 10 rad/s².

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A rotating wheel requires 2.93 s to complete 37.0 revolutions. Its angular speed at the end of the 2.93 s interval is 97.1 rad/s. What is the constant angular acceleration of the wheel?

I know this should be easy. I'm just missing something. I figured 37 rev = 232 rad (=theta). Then I used the kinematic
Theta(f) = Theta(i)+(omega)(i)t+(1/2)(alpha)(t^2). But somehow it isn't working out. I know the answer should be around 15 or so but I keep getting 120 rad/sec^2!
 
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You can't use your initial equation directly because you don't know the initial velocity yet. Use ωf = (ωi) + α*t; to find ωi. Then you can plug that into your other constant acceleration question to find α. If I did it correctly, the acceleration should come out closer to 10 rad/s
 
How can you use ùf = (ùi) + á*t to find ùi when you don't know what á is?

(alright well you know what those symbols should mean)
 
You solve for ωi in terms of α and plug it into the other equation. It's a system of 2 equations with 2 unknowns.
 

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