Mechanics: Circular Motion and Gravitation
Circular Motion and Gravitation: Audio Guided Solution
Problem Set CG3, Question 6:
American physicist Gerard K. O'Neill proposed the construction of large rotating space cylinders several miles in length and several miles in diameter that could be used to colonize space. Inhabitants of the colonies would live inside the cylinders and be plastered to its surface due to inertial effects, thus creating a feel of being pulled downward towards the surface. Calculate rotation rate in revolutions per hour that a cylinder 5.2 miles in diameter must have to produce an acceleration of 9.8 m/s/s. Given: 1609 m = 1 mile.
Audio Guided Solution
Habits of an Effective Problem Solver
- Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
- Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., m = 61.7 kg, v= 18.5 m/s, R = 30.9 m, Fnorm = ???.
- Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
- Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
- Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.
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