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Between 1911 and 1990 , the top of the leaning bell tower at Pisa, Italy, moved toward the south at an average rate of \(1.2 \mathrm{~mm} / \mathrm{y}\). The tower is \(55 \mathrm{~m}\) tall. In radians per second, what is the average angular speed of the tower's top about its base?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Average angular speed is approximately \(6.93 \times 10^{-13}\) radians/second.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Problem Setup

The leaning tower of Pisa shifted southward at an average rate of 1.2 mm per year. We need to find the average angular speed in radians per second about the base of the tower, which is 55 m tall.
02

Define Relationships and Equations

The angular speed \( \omega \) relates to linear speed \( v \) via the equation \( \omega = \frac{v}{r} \), where \( v \) is the linear speed of the topmost point, and \( r \) is the radius, which in this case is the height of the tower (55 m).
03

Convert Units for Linear Speed

First, convert the linear displacement from mm/year to m/second: \[1.2 \text{ mm/year} = \frac{1.2 \text{ mm}}{1 \text{ year} \times 1000 \text{ mm/m} \times 365 \times 24 \times 60 \times 60 \text{ s/year}}\approx 3.81 \times 10^{-11} \text{ m/s}\]
04

Calculate Angular Speed

Substitute the linear speed and the radius (height of the tower) into the angular speed formula:\[\omega = \frac{3.81 \times 10^{-11} \text{ m/s}}{55 \text{ m}} \approx 6.93 \times 10^{-13} \text{ radians/second}\]
05

Verify and Conclude

Ensure the calculations and conversions were applied correctly. The average angular speed of the top of the tower about its base is roughly \(6.93 \times 10^{-13}\) radians per second.

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Key Concepts

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

Linear Speed Conversion
Converting linear speed is an essential task in physics problems which often involves changing units to suit the requirements of a calculation. In the case of the Leaning Tower of Pisa problem, we must convert the linear movement rate from millimeters per year to meters per second.
First, we need to understand the units and conversion factors:
  • 1 millimeter (mm) = 0.001 meters (m)
  • 1 year = 365 days = 31,536,000 seconds
To convert 1.2 mm/year to m/s, we use the steps:
\[ 1.2 \text{ mm/year} = \frac{1.2 \text{ mm} \times 0.001 \text{ m/mm}}{31,536,000 \text{ s/year}} \approx 3.81 \times 10^{-11} \text{ m/s} \]
This conversion ensures that the linear speed is correctly expressed in the standard unit of meters per second.
Radians per Second
Angular speed is often measured in radians per second, which is a measure of the angle through which a point or line is rotated in a given time. Radians are a natural unit of angular measure related to the radius of a circle.

To convert a linear speed to angular speed (radians per second), we use the formula:
\[ \omega = \frac{v}{r} \]
where \( \omega \) is the angular speed, \( v \) is the linear speed, and \( r \) is the radius. For the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the radius is the height (55 m).

So, using the conversion of linear speed from earlier:
\[ \omega = \frac{3.81 \times 10^{-11} \text{ m/s}}{55 \text{ m}} \approx 6.93 \times 10^{-13} \text{ radians/second} \]
This small angular speed indicates the gradual and subtle movement of the tower over time.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a pioneer in architectural anomalies and a fascinating study subject in physics due to its lean. The tower stands 55 meters tall and has been leaning at various angles over the centuries.
Understanding its movement provides insight into forces acting over long durations. Originally intended as a freestanding bell tower for the cathedral of Pisa, its design and ground instability caused it to lean.

When studying the angular speed of the tower, one must consider:
  • The shift in its position due to gravitational forces.
  • Its influence on future architectural designs and tilting buildings worldwide.
This tower serves as an example of real-world physics problems that involve geometry and engineering.
Physics Problem Solving
Physics problem-solving often involves connecting abstract concepts with real-world scenarios, like determining the angular speed of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This process involves several key steps to ensure accuracy and comprehension.

  • Understanding the Problem: Grasp the physical scenario and the factors involved.
  • Identifying Relationships: Recognize equations that link different quantities, such as the relationship between linear and angular speed.
  • Unit Conversions: Carefully convert all measurements to consistent units to avoid miscalculations.
  • Performing Calculations: Use the right formulas and solve step by step for precision.
  • Verification: Always recheck calculations for accuracy.
By following these steps, students can effectively solve complex physics problems, equipping themselves with problem-solving skills applicable to various scientific fields.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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