Question

The propeller of a WW2 fighter plane is 2.35 m in diameter

a) What is the angular velocity in radians per second if it spins at 1160 rev/min?
b) What is the linear speed (in m/s) of its tip if the plane is stationary on the tarmac?
c) What is the centripetal acceleration of the propeller tip under these conditions? Represent your answer in meters per second squared.
Show work please :)

Answer 1

Diameter of the propeller = 2.35 m
Radius = r = 2.35/2 = 1.175 m
Velocity in rev/min = 1160rpm
i.e. The propeller rotates by an angle of 360 degrees or 2
`\pi`
Angular velocity in rps = 2×3.14×1160/60 = 121.47 rps
Linear Velocity = v = r×AngularVelocity = 1.175×121.47 = 142.72 m/s
Centripetal acceleration = v²/r = 142.72²/1.175 = 17335 m/s²