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Ch 04: Kinematics in Two Dimensions
Chapter 4, Problem 4

A 5.0-m-diameter merry-go-round is initially turning with a 4.0 s period. It slows down and stops in 20 s. (b) How many revolutions does the merry-go-round make as it stops?

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1
Calculate the initial angular velocity, \(\omega_i\), using the formula \(\omega_i = \frac{2\pi}{T}\) where \(T\) is the period of rotation. Here, \(T = 4.0\) seconds.
Determine the angular acceleration, \(\alpha\), assuming it is constant. Use the formula \(\alpha = \frac{\omega_f - \omega_i}{t}\) where \(\omega_f = 0\) rad/s (since it stops), \(\omega_i\) is the initial angular velocity, and \(t = 20\) s is the time taken to stop.
Calculate the total angle, \(\theta\), through which the merry-go-round rotates as it comes to a stop using the formula \(\theta = \omega_i t + \frac{1}{2} \alpha t^2\).
Convert the total angle of rotation from radians to revolutions by dividing \(\theta\) by \(2\pi\).
The result from the previous step gives the total number of revolutions made by the merry-go-round as it stops.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Angular Velocity

Angular velocity is a measure of how quickly an object rotates around an axis, typically expressed in radians per second. For a merry-go-round, it can be calculated using the period of rotation, where the angular velocity (ω) is given by ω = 2π/T, with T being the period. Understanding angular velocity is crucial for determining how many revolutions the merry-go-round makes as it slows down.
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Angular Deceleration

Angular deceleration refers to the rate at which an object's angular velocity decreases over time. It is a key concept when analyzing rotational motion, especially when an object is slowing down. In this scenario, knowing the initial angular velocity and the time taken to stop allows us to calculate the angular deceleration, which is essential for determining the total number of revolutions made during the stopping process.
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Revolutions and Distance Traveled

The number of revolutions an object makes can be related to the distance traveled along its circular path. For a merry-go-round, one complete revolution corresponds to a distance equal to its circumference, calculated as C = πd, where d is the diameter. By integrating the angular motion equations, we can find the total number of revolutions as the merry-go-round decelerates to a stop.
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