Question

A gyroscope of radius 18 centimeters rotates 35 times per minute. Find the linear velocity of a point on the edge of the gyroscope.

Answer 1

In one full rotation/revolution, a point on the edge travels a distance equal to the circumference of the gyroscope, or 2π (18 cm) = 36π cm. Convert the angular speed, 36π cm/rev, to linear speed:

(36π cm/rev) • (35 rev/min) = 1260π cm/min ≈ 3958 cm/min