Question

The pistons in an internal combustion engine undergo a motion that is approximately simple harmonic.
If the amplitude of motion is 3.8cm , and the engine runs at 1500rpm , find the maximum acceleration of the pistons.
Find their maximum speed.

Answer 1

First, convert rpm to angular velocity w, in radians/s

w = 1500*(2 pi)/60 = 157.1 rad/s

If A is the amplitude,
Maximum speed = A w
Maximum acceleration = A w^2

Put A in meters/s to get speed in m/s and acceleration in m/s^2

Answer 2

937.85m.s