Activity for Angular Velocity

Need:

• A large field or open area
• A stopwatch (optional)
• A tape measure (optional)
• Participants who are resistant to dizziness or who are fast or both
• Knowledge of the relationship between Linear and Rotational Velocity

Pre-Activity:

• Review the relationship and difference between linear and rotational velocity and the formula

• For this activity, we will measure distance in feet and time in seconds.  Because rotational velocity is measured in radians per second, and we will be measuring it in rotations per second, we need to make the following conversion:

Activity:

1. Begin by having one student stand akimbo and spin in a tight circle at a rate of one revolution per 8 seconds (a quarter turn per 2 seconds).  This translates to  radians per second.
2. Once the student has established a consistent spin rate, have 2 students jump in and link arms, one on either side, not disturbing the spin rate.
3. Once the students have established a consistent spin rate, have 2 more students jump in and link arms, one on either side, not disturbing the spin rate.
4. Repeat step 3 until all students have joined the spinning “link” or until the outermost students cannot possible keep up.  Keep track of how many layers that have been formed.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 using different students at different positions.  You will find some fleet-footed students will volunteer to go last.

Follow-up:

1. Using the tape measure, determine the average distance between each student in the link.  Call this measure R.  This will be the length that the spinning radius increased each time new students latched on.   Will be the initial radius and then will be the radius from the previous link.  For each consecutive link, the new radius will be .  (We have found that R is around 32inches, or approximately feet).
2. For each value of r, complete the following table:

Here is a sample table:

  3.  Debriefing/Follow-up questions/etc.