Skip to main content
Course and syllabus guidance

University Physics I · topic UPI-09.02

Angular velocity

Connect the ideas, make your working visible, and test the result. Use the hints when you need a starting point; open the full solution after your attempt.

Further practice

Work through a fresh case before tackling the extension.

Further practice · 01

Angular Velocity, Period & Frequency: predict a finite change

Angular velocity is the rate at which a rotating body's angle changes, ω = dθ/dt in rad s⁻¹; its sign, or its direction along the axle by the right-hand rule, records which way the body turns. Use the supplied topic model Y_out = (pi/2*d+k*(sin(pi*(t+d)/2)-sin(pi*t/2)))/max(d,0.1), where Y_out is ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) (rad s⁻¹). The output symbol Y_out is distinct from all input symbols. ^ denotes a power; π = 3.141592653589793; max(a,b) selects the larger value; unmarked trigonometric functions use radians. t is Instant t, measured in s. Keep d (Averaging interval Δt) = 2 s; k (Push unevenness k) = 0.5 fixed. For this exercise use only 1.0525 s ≤ t ≤ 1.7875 s on this continuous branch. A grid of test settings is an input restriction for this exercise, not by itself a claim of physical quantisation. This calculation retains the topic model's stated assumptions; it does not extend them to a different physical setup. Calculate Y_out at t = 1.2142 s and 1.3171 s. Find the signed output change ΔY_out and the average sensitivity ΔY_out/Δt across this interval. State whether the response increases or decreases; distinguish this interval average from a derivative at one point.

Explore the question data

ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) against t

Predictions from the supplied Angular Velocity, Period & Frequency model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law.

Vertical axis (y): ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) / rad s⁻¹

ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) against tPredictions from the supplied Angular Velocity, Period & Frequency model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law. Horizontal axis: t: Instant t / s. Vertical axis: ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) / rad s⁻¹. Exact values are available in the data table below.1.0591.1491.241.331.421.0231.2221.421.6181.817xy

Horizontal axis (x): t: Instant t / s

Axes show the supplied calibration interval; the origin may lie outside the plot.

Reading 1t: Instant t / s: 1.052ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) / rad s⁻¹: 1.072
Read the exact data as a table
ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) against t — supplied values
t: Instant t / sω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) / rad s⁻¹
1.05251.0724955570312307
1.236251.104831939100146
1.421.1757188206070512
1.60374999999999981.2792915373032208
1.78749999999999991.4069812370140495

These are the supplied values, not a worked answer. No fitted trend is drawn.

Show a hint

Substitute each value of t separately while keeping every other input fixed, then subtract in the same order.

Reveal the worked solution
  1. At t = 1.2142 s, substitute into Y_out = (pi/2*d+k*(sin(pi*(t+d)/2)-sin(pi*t/2)))/max(d,0.1): Y₀ = 1.09883 rad s⁻¹.
  2. At t = 1.3171 s, the same fixed-parameter model gives Y₁ = 1.13155 rad s⁻¹.
  3. Signed change: ΔY_out = Y₁ − Y₀ = 0.0327178 rad s⁻¹; the input change is Δt = 0.1029 s.
  4. Average sensitivity is ΔY_out/Δt = 0.317958 rad s⁻¹ per s. Its positive sign means that this response increases over the specified interval.
  5. This is a secant slope between two settings. It equals a point derivative only for a locally linear relation or in a justified small-interval limit.

Answer Y₀ = 1.09883 rad s⁻¹, Y₁ = 1.13155 rad s⁻¹; ΔY_out = 0.0327178 rad s⁻¹; average sensitivity = 0.317958 rad s⁻¹ per s.

Compare the assumptions, method and units with your attempt. Explain any correction before trying another question.

Extra challenging questions

Work through the linked stages and explain what each result means.

Extra challenging · 01

Angular Velocity, Period & Frequency: infer an input with uncertainty

Angular velocity is the rate at which a rotating body's angle changes, ω = dθ/dt in rad s⁻¹; its sign, or its direction along the axle by the right-hand rule, records which way the body turns. Use the supplied topic model Y_out = (pi/2*d+k*(sin(pi*(t+d)/2)-sin(pi*t/2)))/max(d,0.1), where Y_out is ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) (rad s⁻¹). The output symbol Y_out is distinct from all input symbols. ^ denotes a power; π = 3.141592653589793; max(a,b) selects the larger value; unmarked trigonometric functions use radians. t is Instant t, measured in s. Keep d (Averaging interval Δt) = 2 s; k (Push unevenness k) = 0.5 fixed. For this exercise use only 1.0525 s ≤ t ≤ 1.7875 s on this continuous branch. A grid of test settings is an input restriction for this exercise, not by itself a claim of physical quantisation. This calculation retains the topic model's stated assumptions; it does not extend them to a different physical setup. A reading gives Y_out = 1.2177153 rad s⁻¹, with a bounded reading uncertainty ±0.021783 rad s⁻¹. Treat the model and all fixed inputs as exact for this exercise; the bound is not a standard deviation. First estimate the unknown t by straight-line interpolation between the two endpoint predictions. Then solve the actual model on the stated branch to an absolute input tolerance of 0.0000735 s, using a numerical bracket if required. Find the full input interval consistent with the bounded reading uncertainty and compare it with a symmetric input-error assumption. Do not assume that the supplied calibration points prove monotonicity outside this branch.

Explore the question data

ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) against t

Predictions from the supplied Angular Velocity, Period & Frequency model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law.

Vertical axis (y): ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) / rad s⁻¹

ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) against tPredictions from the supplied Angular Velocity, Period & Frequency model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law. Horizontal axis: t: Instant t / s. Vertical axis: ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) / rad s⁻¹. Exact values are available in the data table below.1.0591.1491.241.331.421.0231.2221.421.6181.817xy

Horizontal axis (x): t: Instant t / s

Axes show the supplied calibration interval; the origin may lie outside the plot.

Reading 1t: Instant t / s: 1.052ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) / rad s⁻¹: 1.072
Read the exact data as a table
ω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) against t — supplied values
t: Instant t / sω_avg OVER Δt (SECANT) / rad s⁻¹
1.05251.0724955570312307
1.236251.104831939100146
1.421.1757188206070512
1.60374999999999981.2792915373032208
1.78749999999999991.4069812370140495

These are the supplied values, not a worked answer. No fitted trend is drawn.

Show a hint

The model's endpoint predictions bracket the reading. Solve Y_out(t) = Y_measured and then solve again at Y_measured − u and Y_measured + u; a nonlinear inverse can give unequal input deviations.

Reveal the worked solution
  1. Endpoint predictions are Y_out(1.0525) = 1.0725 rad s⁻¹ and Y_out(1.7875) = 1.40698 rad s⁻¹. The target lies between them. On the selected branch the response is strictly increasing.
  2. Endpoint interpolation gives t_line = 1.0525 + (1.21772 − 1.0725)(1.7875 − 1.0525)/(1.40698 − 1.0725) = 1.37161 s. This estimates the inverse of the endpoint chord, rather than assuming that chord is the physical model.
  3. Use the actual equation, not the chord, and bracket its root. Evaluating the midpoint and retaining the sign-changing half-interval gives t = 1.50085 s; substituting back gives Y_out = 1.2177153 rad s⁻¹.
  4. The interpolation error in the input is |t_line − t| = 0.129244 s. This is larger than the requested numerical tolerance.
  5. Invert both limits Y_out = 1.1959323 rad s⁻¹ and 1.2394983 rad s⁻¹. Sort the roots even if the response decreases: 1.46037 s ≤ t ≤ 1.53891 s.
  6. The lower and upper input deviations are 0.0404814 s and 0.0380593 s. They differ because the inverse response is nonlinear; a symmetric error bar would only be a local approximation. This interval includes reading uncertainty only, not model error or uncertainty in fixed inputs.

Answer t ≈ 1.50085 s; compatible interval [1.46037, 1.53891] s. Endpoint interpolation gives 1.37161 s.

Compare the assumptions, method and units with your attempt. Explain any correction before trying another question.