the wheels. [ω = 40 rad/s, v = 10 m/s] 11.

3 Linear and angular acceleration Linear acceleration, a, is

defined as the rate of change of linear velocity with respect to time. For an object whose linear
velocity is increasing uniformly: linear acceleration = change of linear velocity time taken i.e a = v2 −
v1 t (11.7) The unit of linear acceleration is metres per second squared (m/s2). Rewriting equation
(11.7) with v2 as the subject of the formula gives: v2 = v1 + at (11.8) where v2 = final velocity and v1
= initial velocity. Angular acceleration, α, is defined as the rate of change of angular velocity with
respect to time. For an object whose angular velocity is increasing uniformly: Angular acceleration =
change of angular velocity time taken i.e. α = ω2 − ω1 t (11.9) The unit of angular acceleration is
radians per second squared (rad/s2). Rewriting equation (11.9) with ω2 as the subject of the
formula gives: ω2 = ω1 + αt (11.10) where ω2 = final angular velocity and ω1 = initial angular
velocity. From equation (11.6), v = ωr. For motion in a circle having a constant radius r, v2 = ω2r and
v1 = ω1r, hence equation (11.7) can be rewritten as: a = ω2r − ω1r t = r(ω2 − ω1) t But from equation
(11.9), ω2 − ω1 t = α Hence a = rα (11.11) Problem 3. The speed of a shaft increases uniformly from
300 revolutions per minute to 800 revolutions per minute in 10s. Find the angular acceleration,
correct to 3 significant figures. From equation (11.9), α = ω2 − ω1 t Initial angular velocity, ω1 = 300
rev/min = 300/60 rev/s = 300 × 2π 60 rad/s, final angular velocity, ω2 = 800 × 2π 60 rad/s 130
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES and time, t = 10 s. Hence, angular acceleration, α = 800 × 2π
60 − 300 × 2π 60 10 rad/s2 = 500 × 2π 60 × 10 = 5.24 rad/s 2 Problem 4. If the diameter of the shaft
in problem 3 is 50 mm, determine the linear acceleration of the shaft on its external surface, correct
to 3 significant figures. From equation (11.11), a = rα The shaft radius is 50 2 mm = 25 mm = 0.025 m,
and the angular acceleration, α = 5.24 rad/s2 , thus the linear acceleration, a = rα = 0.025 × 5.24 =
0.131 m/s 2 Now try the following exercise Exercise 54 Further problems on linear and angular
acceleration 1. A flywheel rotating with an angular velocity of 200 rad/s is uniformly accelerated at
a rate of 5 rad/s2 for 15 s. Find the final angular velocity of the flywheel both in rad/s and revolutions
per minute. [275 rad/s, 8250/π rev/min] 2. A disc accelerates uniformly from 300 revolutions per
minute to 600 revolutions per minute in 25 s. Determine its angular acceleration and