A laboratory turntable rotates about a vertical axis
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Torque and Rotational Dynamics · Torque and Rotational Dynamics
Problem
A laboratory turntable rotates about a vertical axis. Its angular position is measured at irregular time intervals using an optical sensor. The data are given below.
Time t (s): 0.0 0.8 2.0 3.5 4.0
Angular position θ (rad): 0.00 0.60 1.90 3.50 3.90
(a) For each successive time interval listed (0–0.8 s, 0.8–2.0 s, 2.0–3.5 s, 3.5–4.0 s), calculate the average angular velocity.
(b) Using the average angular velocities obtained in part (a), determine the average angular acceleration of the turntable over the entire 4.0s period.
(c) Comment on whether the assumption of a constant angular acceleration is reasonable for this data set, supporting your answer with quantitative evidence from parts (a) and (b).