A string is wrapped around the rim of a flywheel 0.400 m in radius, and a steady pull of 50.0 N is exerted on the cord. The wheel is mounted in frictionless bearings on a horizontal shaft through it's center. The moment of inertia of the wheel is 4.00 kg.m^2 .Calculate the angular acceleration of the wheel.

Question

A string is wrapped around the rim of a flywheel 0.400 m in radius, and a steady pull of 50.0 N is exerted on the cord. The wheel is mounted in frictionless bearings on a horizontal shaft through it's center. The moment of inertia of the wheel is 4.00 kg.m^2   .Calculate the angular acceleration of the wheel.

plumpycat · Answer

Torque = force applied * lever arm
= 50.0 N * 0.400m
= _____ N*m

Torque = angular acceleration * moment of inertia

You know the torque and are given the moment of inertia; substitute these into the above equation and solve for the angular acceleration.