Why Does the Wheel Appear to Rotate Counterclockwise When Projected?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the optical illusion of a wheel with 16 spokes rotating clockwise appearing to rotate counterclockwise when projected at 24 frames per second. The wheel's actual angular speed must be calculated to account for this phenomenon, where it appears to rotate at 4.0 revolutions per minute. The relationship between angular speed and acceleration is established, leading to the conclusion that the smallest possible angular speed of the wheel is negative due to the direction of rotation. The confusion arises from the interpretation of the projector's "proper rate" and its effect on perceived motion.

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  • Basic principles of optical illusions in motion
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Students in physics, particularly those studying rotational motion, cinematographers interested in the effects of frame rates, and anyone exploring the principles of optical illusions in motion.

mellah
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Homework Statement



A wheel with 16 spokes rotating in the clockwise direction is photographed on film. The film is passed through a projector at the rate of 24 frames/s, which is the proper rate for the projector. On the screen , however, the wheel appears to rotate counterclockwise at 4.0 rev/min. Find the smallest possible angular speed at which the wheel is rotating.

Homework Equations


1 revolution= 2pi radians
angular speed = angular acceleration x time

The Attempt at a Solution


Since the wheel is actually turning clockwise, its acceleration will be negative, but when its shown on the projector, the acceleration is positive. I assume that the "proper rate" means that the acceleration as shown on the projector is of the same magnitude as that in real life. I set up angular speed1= acceleration1 x time and angular speed2= acceleration2 x time (where 1 is on the projector and 2 is actual). Since time is the same, I set the two equations equal to each other and got speed1/acceleration1=speed2/acceleration2 or speed2 = (acceleration2 x speed1)/acceleration1. Because the projectors working at the "proper rate" acceleration1= negative acceleration2 and so speed2=-speed1.

I don't think I'm following this right because I'm only using one of the numbers in the problem, unless the other two are just extraneous information.

Thanks in advance.
 
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mellah said:

Homework Statement



A wheel with 16 spokes rotating in the clockwise direction is photographed on film. The film is passed through a projector at the rate of 24 frames/s, which is the proper rate for the projector. On the screen , however, the wheel appears to rotate counterclockwise at 4.0 rev/min. Find the smallest possible angular speed at which the wheel is rotating.

Homework Equations


1 revolution= 2pi radians
angular speed = angular acceleration x time

The Attempt at a Solution


Since the wheel is actually turning clockwise, its acceleration will be negative, but when its shown on the projector, the acceleration is positive. I assume that the "proper rate" means that the acceleration as shown on the projector is of the same magnitude as that in real life. I set up angular speed1= acceleration1 x time and angular speed2= acceleration2 x time (where 1 is on the projector and 2 is actual). Since time is the same, I set the two equations equal to each other and got speed1/acceleration1=speed2/acceleration2 or speed2 = (acceleration2 x speed1)/acceleration1. Because the projectors working at the "proper rate" acceleration1= negative acceleration2 and so speed2=-speed1.

I don't think I'm following this right because I'm only using one of the numbers in the problem, unless the other two are just extraneous information.

Thanks in advance.

4 revs in a minute is 15 seconds to make the "virtual" revolution.

Doesn't that mean the precession will appear slower by 1 revolution over that many frames?
If it was turning at exactly that speed wouldn't it appear to be not moving at all?
 
I'm sorry but I don't think I'm following what you said in the second part of your reply. Could you explain?
 

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