Precalculus : Angular and Linear Velocity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Solve Linear Velocity Problems

A clock has a second hand measuring 12cm. What is the linear speed of the tip of the second hand?

Possible Answers:

None of these/

\(\displaystyle \frac{6.12cm}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1.26cm}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1.62cm}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2.16cm}{s}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1.26cm}{s}\)

Explanation:

Linear speed is equal to the arc length traversed divided by the time. We use s to denote arc length.

\(\displaystyle s=2\pi r=2\pi*12cm=24\pi cm\)

\(\displaystyle LS=\frac{arc length}{t}=\frac{s}{t}= \frac{24\pi cm}{60s}=1.26\frac{cm}{s}\)

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