Question

The propeller of a World War II fighter plane is 2.30 m in diameter and spins at 1200 rev/min.

What is the centripetal acceleration of the propeller tip?

Answer 1

Answer: centripetal acceleration

Equals 18350m/s²

Explanation: Centripetal acceleration is given as v²/r

Where v is Velocity measured in rad/s and r is radius

But v= w*r

Therefore,

C.acceleratn = w²*r²/r

So we have

C.accelertn = w²*r

Our w is given as 1200 rev/min so we have to convert to rad/sec

1rad/sec equals 9.5rev/min

Therefore,

1200rev/min = 1200/9.5 rad/sec

w=126.32rad/sec

r = diameter/2

r = 2.3/2 =1.15m

Let's now calculate our centripetal acceleration = w²*r

= {126.32rad/sec}² *1.15

=18350m/s²