What is the Minimum Tangential Velocity to Land on $1.00 on Wheel of Fortune?

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SUMMARY

The minimum tangential velocity required for a contestant to land on the $1.00 on the Wheel of Fortune, which has a radius of 3.00 meters and 20 equal intervals, is calculated to be 3.008 m/s. The contestant starts 4 positions away from the $1.00 and must account for a deceleration of 0.400 rad/s². The calculations involve determining the initial angular velocity using the equation w² = wo² + 2(alpha)(theta), leading to an initial angular velocity of approximately 1.00265 rad/s. The ambiguity in the question regarding the direction of the spin may affect the final answer.

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Extremist223
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Homework Statement


The wheel of fortune wheel, whose radius is 3.00m, has 20 different numbers, at equal intervals, for a contestant to land on. The second contestant can spin the wheel, and wishes to land on the $1.00. The wheel starts off 4 positions away from the $1.00. Assuming a deceleration of 0.400 rad/s2, what must be the minimum tangential velocity for the contestant to reach the $1.00, if they pull the wheel down?

Homework Equations


2pi rads is a full circle
w^2 = wo^2 + 2(alpha)(theta)
alpha= angular acceleration
theta is distance in radians travelled
w^2 is final angular velocity squared
wo^2 is initial angular velocity squared
Tangential Velocity = Radius x w

The Attempt at a Solution


2pi/20= 0.314 rads per interval
the goal is 4 intervals away from the start therefore 4x0.314= 1.257 rads travelled.
it wants to land 4 intervals away from the start so the final angular velocity = 0 rad/s
therefore w^2 = wo^2 + 2 (alpha)(theta)
0 = wo^2 + 2(-.4rad/s^2)(1.257)
-wo^2= -1.0056rad/s
wo^2 = 1.0056rad/s
wo= 1.00265rad/s
so at this point i took vt= rw vt= 3m x 1.00265rad/s vt = 3.008m/s

I'm getting the answer wrong and I don't know why. Can anyone help me please?
 
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It could be that you are really 16 spaces away because of the direction you are required to spin in. Looks okay otherwise.
 
thanks it seems to be the case one of the multiple choice answers is very close to this, but since it doesn't specify where on the wheel it is being pulled down from left side or right side this question is ambiguous
 

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