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Helicopter blades withstand tremendous stresses. In addition to supporting the weight of a helicopter, they are spun at rapid rates and experience large centripetal accelerations, especially at the tip. (a) Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration at the tip of a \(4.00 \mathrm{m}\) long helicopter blade that rotates at 300 rev/min. (b) Compare the linear speed of the tip with the speed of sound (taken to be 340 m/s).

Short Answer

Expert verified
The centripetal acceleration is \(9420 m/s^2\), and the linear speed of the blade's tip is \(62.8 m/s\) which is much less than the speed of sound (340 m/s).

Step by step solution

01

Convert Angular Speed to Radians per Second

First, convert the angular speed from revolutions per minute (rev/min) to radians per second (rad/s). There are \(2\frac{3.14}{rad}\) per revolution and \(60 s\) per minute. Using the given rotational speed of \(300 rev/min\), the conversion is \(\frac{300 rev}{min} \times \frac{2\frac{3.14}{rad}}{1 rev} \times \frac{1 min}{60 s}\).
02

Calculate the Centripetal Acceleration

Second, use the centripetal acceleration formula \(a_c = r\frac{3.14}{^2}\), where \(r\) is the radius (half the length of the blade) and \(\frac{3.14}{}\) is angular speed in radians per second. Plug in the converted angular speed and the radius (2.00 m) into the formula to find the centripetal acceleration at the tip of the blade.
03

Calculate the Linear Speed of the Blade's Tip

To find the linear speed (\(v\)) of the blade's tip, use the formula \(v = r\frac{3.14}{}\), with \(r\) being the radius of the circular path and \(\frac{3.14}{}\) being the angular speed in radians per second obtained from Step 1.
04

Compare the Linear Speed with the Speed of Sound

Finally, compare the linear speed calculated in Step 3 to the speed of sound. State whether the speed of the blade tip is greater than, less than, or equal to the speed of sound, which is given as 340 m/s.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Angular Speed Conversion
Understanding the conversion of angular speed is essential when dealing with rotational motion, such as that of a helicopter blade. Angular speed is typically measured in revolutions per minute (rev/min) or radians per second (rad/s). A complete revolution corresponds to a rotation of 360 degrees, which is equivalent to approximately \(2\pi\) radians.

To convert from rev/min to rad/s, one must consider two conversion factors. First, since there are \(2\pi\) radians in one complete revolution, and second, there are 60 seconds in one minute. Therefore, the conversion formula is:\[\text{Angular speed in rad/s} = \text{Angular speed in rev/min} \times \frac{2\pi \text{ radians}}{1 \text{ rev}} \times \frac{1 \text{ min}}{60 \text{ s}}\]
Applying this formula provides the angular speed in rad/s, which is needed to calculate other rotational quantities.
Rotational Kinematics
Rotational kinematics involves the motion of objects in a circular path. An important aspect of rotational kinematics is the relationship between angular speed, radius of rotation, and linear speed. The fundamental equation linking these quantities is:\[v = r\omega\]where:\[v\] is the linear speed,\[r\] is the radius of the circular path, and\[\omega\] is the angular speed in radians per second.

In scenarios like a rotating helicopter blade, calculating the linear speed of the tip involves using the radius of the blade and the angular speed obtained from the angular speed conversion. This linear speed is crucial for understanding the forces that the blade experiences, which is directly linked to the centripetal acceleration.
Speed of Sound Comparison
Comparing the linear speed of a rotating object to the speed of sound can provide insights into the mechanical stresses and potential effects on the object. The speed of sound at sea level and at room temperature is approximately 340 m/s. This value can serve as a standard to gauge the speed of other moving objects, such as the tip of a helicopter blade.

When the linear speed of the blade's tip approaches or exceeds the speed of sound, it may experience significant aerodynamic forces and potentially create shock waves. This phenomenon is important in the design and operation of high-speed rotating machinery to avoid structural damage and ensure safety.
Circular Motion
Circular motion refers to the movement of an object along a circular path. This type of motion is characterized by a constant change in direction, which implies a continuous acceleration towards the center of the circle, known as centripetal acceleration. The formula for centripetal acceleration is:\[a_c = r\omega^2\]

This acceleration is always directed towards the center of rotation, giving rise to the tension and forces experienced by a rotating object, like the blades of a helicopter. Calculating it is essential for ensuring the structural integrity and safety of objects in circular motion. The larger the centripetal acceleration, the stronger the forces that must be withstood by the object, which is particularly significant for fast-rotating devices.

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