College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 6: The average speed and average velocity of a spinning helicopter blade


Problem:

A helicopter blade spins at exactly 100 revolutions per minute. Its tip is 5.00 m from the center of rotation.

(a) Calculate the average speed of the blade tip in the helicopter’s frame of reference.

(b) What is its average velocity over one revolution?


Solution:

Part A

The average speed of the blade tip is equal to the distance traveled divided by the time elapsed.

\begin{align*}
\text{speed} & =\frac{ \text{distance traveled}}{ \text{time elapsed}} \\ \\
& =\frac{2\pi \text{r}}{ \text{t}} \\ \\
& =\frac{2\pi \left(5.00\text{m}\right)}{60\:\text{s}}\times 100\:\text{rev} \\ \\
& =52.36\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

Part B

After one revolution, the tip of the blade is at the same position as it is originally. This means that the displacement is zero. Thus, the velocity is zero.

\text{v}=0\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)

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College Physics 2nd Edition Solutions Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: The Nature of Science and Physics

Chapter 2: Kinematics

Chapter 3: Two-Dimensional Kinematics

Chapter 4: Dynamics: Force and Newton’s Law of Motion

Chapter 5: Further Applications of Newton’s Laws: Friction, Drag, and Elasticity

Chapter 6: Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation

Chapter 7: Work, Energy, and Energy Resources

Chapter 8: Linear Momentum and Collisions

Chapter 9: Statics and Torque

Chapter 10: Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum

Chapter 11: Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 12: Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications

Chapter 13: Temperature, Kinetic Theory, and the Gas Laws

Chapter 14: Heat and Heat Transfer Methods

Chapter 15: Thermodynamics

Chapter 16: Oscillatory Motion and Waves

Chapter 17: Physics of Hearing

Chapter 18: Electric Charge and Electric Field

Chapter 19: Electric Potential and Electric Field

Chapter 20:
Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm’s Law

Chapter 21: Circuits and DC Instruments

Chapter 22: Magnetism

Chapter 23: Electromagnetic Induction, AC Circuits, and Electrical Technologies

Chapter 24: Electromagnetic Waves

Chapter 25: Geometric Optics

Chapter 26: Vision and Optical Instrument

Chapter 27: Wave Optics

Chapter 28: Special Relativity

Chapter 29: Introduction to Quantum Physics

Chapter 30: Atomic Physics

Chapter 31: Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

Chapter 32: Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics

Chapter 33: Particle Physics

Chapter 34: Frontiers of Physics