QuestionFind the rotation rate in revolutions per second for a radius centrifuge to achieve acceleration.
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
Assumptions1. The length of the centrifuge is .
. The astronaut is sitting at one end, facing the axis of rotation away.
3. The required centripetal acceleration is , where is the acceleration due to gravity.
STEP 2
First, we need to understand that the centripetal acceleration of an object moving in a circle of radius at a speed is given by the formula
STEP 3
We also need to know that the speed of an object moving in a circle of radius with a rotation rate (in revolutions per second) is given by the formula
STEP 4
Substitute the expression for from step3 into the formula for from step2 to get an expression for in terms of and
STEP 5
implify the expression obtained in step4
STEP 6
We want to find , so we rearrange the formula from step5 to solve for
STEP 7
Now, plug in the given values for and to calculate . Note that and . We also need to convert and to consistent units. We'll use and keep in feet
STEP 8
Calculate the value of The rotation rate required to give the astronaut a centripetal acceleration of is or revolutions per second.
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