Where Did I Go Wrong Calculating the Precession Angle Change?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the change in the precession angle for a rotating bicycle wheel. The user initially used the formula dφ = (Mgh)dt/L, where L is determined by the moment of inertia and angular velocity. After performing the calculations, the user arrived at an incorrect answer of 0.211918 radians, later realizing the error was due to not converting the final answer to degrees. The user reflects on the learning experience, acknowledging that sometimes self-discovery is more beneficial than external guidance. Ultimately, the importance of unit conversion in physics problems is emphasized.
lizzyb
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Hi. I have: A 3 kg bicycle wheel rotating at a 2484 rev/min angular velocity has its shaft supported on one side, as show in the figure. When viewing from the left (from the positive x-axes), one sees that the wheel is rotating in a clockwise manner. The distance from the center of the wheel to the pivot point is 0.6 m. The wheel is a hoop of radius 0.4 m and its shaft is horizontal.

Assume all the mass of the system is located at the rim of the bicycle wheel. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s^2.

Find the change in the precession angle after a 1.5 s time interval.

In my book I have the equation:

d\phi = \frac{(M g h) dt}{L}

so L = I \omega = M R^2 \omega

therefore d\phi = \frac{(M g h) dt}{M R^2 \omega} = \frac{(g h) dt}{R^2 \omega}

Now \omega = \frac{2484 "rev"}{"min"} \frac{1 "min"}{60 "sec"} \frac{2 \pi "rad"}{"rev"} = \frac{260.124 "rad"}{"sec"}

and let h = 0.6, R = 0.4, g = 9.8, dt = 1.5

Using these I came up with .211918 but the answer was wrong. Any ideas where I went wrong? Thank you.

[Edit]I tried -.211918 (the bicycle is rotating in a clockwise fashion) but that was wrong as well.
 
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I was supposed to answer in degrees but I was putting the answer in radians. This has been a humbling learning experience, but alas, those are the ones that seem to make such a difference. Thanks everyone! :-)
 
If by everyone, you mean yourself (since nobody actually did anything), then sure.

Nice to know you got the answer though
 
Office_Shredder said:
If by everyone, you mean yourself (since nobody actually did anything), then sure.

Nice to know you got the answer though

Thanks! I figured no one responded because they saw I was on the right path and assumed I would figure it out . Hence, by not responding they aided my development. It's happened before! :-)
 
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