A Bullet Train's Rotational Speed?
A bullet train with a length of 200 m is moving at a speed of 120 m/s. If the train's locomotive is equipped with a rotational motion system that allows it to rotate around its central axis at a constant angular speed of 2 rad/s, determine the rotational speed of the rear carriage, assuming the train's rotational motion system is uniform and unchanging.
1 Answer
📌 CONCEPT: The rotational speed of a point on a rotating object is given by the product of its angular speed and the radius at which it is located from the axis of rotation. In this case, we are considering the rotational speed of the rear carriage of the bullet train.
📐 RULE / FORMULA: The rotational speed (v) of a point on a rotating object is given by the formula v = ωr, where ω is the angular speed and r is the radius from the axis of rotation.
💡 WORKED EXAMPLE: Given a bullet train of length 200 m and rotating at an angular speed of 2 rad/s, the rotational speed of the rear carriage (at the far end) is given by v = 2 rad/s * 200 m = 400 m/s.
⚠️ COMMON MISTAKE: Students should be cautious when interpreting the given information and ensure that they are considering the correct point on the rotating object (in this case, the rear carriage) when applying the formula v = ωr.
12 Aug 26
🔗 More from Chapter 6: Systems of Particles and Rotational Motion
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